Herbert stepped into the streets. He looked a little worse for wear then he had when he was there the day previous but the fire in his eyes had dimmed. He didn’t enjoy what he had to do recently with his allies but it was what needed to be done to keep their cities safe in the long run. It can get bloody in this thing of ours from time to time. No one really enjoys it, but sometimes that’s just what you have to do to keep your bottom line green… and not red.

Now that the dust had settled though, it was time to approach the masses and give an explanation to the carnage. Looking for his favorite soap box Herbert straightened his tie, smoothed over his hair, waited for the growing crowd to silence, and stepped up.

Well then, I am sure you are all here looking for an explanation for the many deaths you witnessed today. Some of your fathers and mothers died and some of you may be upset about that. That’s understandable. Others looked on as you saw some of the most important men and women in our 6 cities pass on to the other side. Still more were loyal soldiers doing the bidding of your leader without quite knowing the reasoning behind their orders. Wherever you may fall I’m sure a lot of you have some unanswered questions so I will do my best to explain the situation.

As you know, South Side Chicago, Las Vegas and Los Angeles leadership were killed off today. The responsibility for these deaths can be claimed by the alliance of New York, Philadelphia, Detroit and the remaining parts of Chicago. Now, there’s two stories here, but they both threads inevitably lead back to the same pin so I’ll start there.

The death of Lilith caused a lot of ripples. Those ripples turned into waves and those waves turned into the deaths. You see, Lilith was a lynch pin of sorts. The last standing barrier keeping what could easily turn into rivaled factions of an alliance on the east cost and west cost in place. Whenever there was a question on either side about the other Lilith was there to make sure no one did anything irrational. She had a strong bond with Godmother Ivy’s right-hand man, the honorable BellaBrusca and that bond is what always kept everyone safe, happy and making money. When SpikeS and Squarepusher decided to go and upset the apple cart, removing Lilith, they pulled that pin out and stated the inevitable ticking clock on the bomb that would go off today.

In much the same way Lilith was the lynch pin between the west coast ad the other 4 cities she was also the strongest connection of trust with her auths in South Side, Chicago. When Saanvi took over the reigns of the city it was time to do an accounting of how things were running. Again, with Lilith gone we weren’t sure where we stood with the South Siders and their families. Learning out lessons in the day previous the decision was made; a cleaning of house was in order for the city to move forward with the vision Saanvi had for it. As it turns out, this inevitably was a good decision. We had reason to believe they may have had similar intentions beforehand, but then there were the final words of Desperado:

Apr 23, 19:00:03    Desperado looks you in the eye, and says: "In Spike we trust"

If last words praising the man that killed my former godmother doesn’t say good decision, I don’t know what does. In any case, the only thing I can say for these men and women that died is that it truly was nothing personal. This was done for business purposes only. Now I could sugar coat it for you or try to come up with some bullshit excuses but I respect you enough to give you the gods honest truth, so there it is.

Now, while Lilith was the lynch pin with the west coast, that’s not to say that that the only reasons for their demise was a worry that they might strike first. A worry I might add that likely had more foundation than some might think or care to admit. Some of you may remember a while back when Avocato died and the witness statement of the killer was caught. Well, we had strong reason to believe there was an additional witness statement catcher by the name of MoYan residing in the West Coast. We had gone to them several times asking for MoYan to be taken care of but after weeks nothing had been done. Call it a cherry on top or call it the straw the broke the camels back. Regardless, they were dealt with today.

We also saw some fairly interesting activity coming out of the west coast earlier this week when the rest of us were losing sleep and sanity trying to track down a couple of rogues. While members of the other four cities were spending their time taking care of rogues we saw multiple different occurrences  of west coast leadership and hit squad members lazily killing Durdens rather than trying to kill the rogues and bring safety back to our shores for everyone. I was as if they weren’t worried the rogues were after them at all. Now I can tell you for myself, as someone who’s finger is sore from keeping it on the trigger of my gun for nearly an entire day, this kind of thing really grinds my gears. If that wasn’t enough however, you have this little tidbit that was left at a rogue’s funeral by a Godfather who lay sleeping in his mansion the entire day hiding behind protection:

RIP, always fun to watch.

Reply by: SumTingWong at Apr 22, '21 01:42

Now I am sorry but watching the death of my personal Godmother Lilith, and my dear friends Giyu and JenBarber was not something “fun to watch” for me. Saying this as the Godfather of a district is nothing short of disrespectful to everyone who died and everyone who was mourning their deaths. It is NOT the sort of action that a Godfather should be taking, ever. Full stop. I’ll tell you this, if the West Coast wasn’t already on the chopping block Mr. SumTingWong would have found himself at the end of the barrel of my gun regardless. I’m not going to live in a world where a Godfather can show that level of disrespect and get away with it.

Herbert paused for a moment to calm down and catch his breath.

Well, there you have it, those are our reasons behind the actions taken today. Now you may not agree with it, and you may not like it, but at least you know the truth. There were good men and women who died today. Honorable men and women who we didn’t want to kill but we knew would have the courage and decency to go down with their ship like any good crew leader can hope for. I can say for myself I don’t hold anything against the dead, even if they may understandably hold something against me. And so, with that, I say what I’ll always say in a situation like this. To the fallen, including our adversaries I say rest in peace. Your kin are welcome in this world. To those who died defending your leader, I salute your honor and bravery.

*chuckles* MoYan wasn't part of the Witness Statement catchers you idiots.

In some machines, for example, a small toy dachshund that you wind up and it jumps around, there are gears. Lilith was less of a Lynch-Pin, but more like a rusted gear inside a small toy. The toy, Chicago, was there, inactive. It did not move, all because of that one motionless gear. Strangely, I heard that motionless gear spent eight hours a day outside of the dachshund inside a tin soldier toy working just fine. But about that dachshund, the boys and girls in the shop all wanted to play with this dachshund, but it just kind of stood there immobile. It did not jump around. It did not bark. Chicago was a crippled dachshund, until Lilith was removed and a new gear was put in. Now look at it, even you Herbert, newly motivated, oiled, mechanized. Success all around. The Five and Ten is back open for business, and the toys are back to working again, with some new models.  

But in reference to Las Vegas and Los Angeles, yes, that silly metallic dachshund held the key to their survival, for months. It’s good that PoisonIvy is gone. Thank you for her removal. From what I’ve been told, she’s truly a disgusting individual and liar. My father did refresh on her more than anyone else. It was part of the point of Lilith being shot… to change out a broken part, and then for other parts to be swapped out, like PoisonIvy for example. Dance my pretties. That Lynch-Pin, as you say, protected things.

But back to this Lynch-Pin. Chicago was a funny-faced-long-nose-hotdog-dog, but it wasn’t moving. It wasn’t much of a toy really. It didn’t work. I see these last words of Desperado, and all I can say is, perhaps he knew you were going to kill him. Honestly, I don’t really know why he would pick those words other than that my father was just an extremely likable person… Or perhaps, he knew if he died, it would get under the skin of those that did it… I’d lean more towards the latter.

Which leads me to SumTingWong. My father gave you all a fun show. I don’t think that guy felt one way or another about Lilith dying. I think he just appreciated a good showman like my father. He was very likeable after all. Was this disrespectful to Lilith? Perhaps that’s one interpretation, but another is solely that he liked a bit of circus.  

Using red herrings like Desperado’s last words and SumTingWong’s obituary post is a bit lame. Instead of speaking about a bunch of confused bullshit like I just did about a toy dachshund, just be straight: Lilith died. There was no trust in LV, and by association LA. Desperado didn't fit the vision that certain Chicago people had for Chicago, and most importantly perhaps, wanted to kill off some undesirables in his crew.

Let’s see what else Lilith held together as a frozen gear or rusted Lynch… Pin. I am very curious. 

As the Greatest and Most Likeable Showman, he takes a bow for the crowd.

As a young and innocent bystander, Duncan had no quarrel with any city, crew, or mafiaso. He contemplated making any comment at all before deciding to make one observation aloud:

Herbert, I have no quarrels with power moves. It is understandable and necessary in this thing of ours. I would like to point out though that I think you had a slip of the tongue. You said the "leadership" of LA, LV, and South Side...but you really did a scorched earth removal. Wise Guys and below also perished in the gunfire. Again, not mad, just call it like it is and don't pretend it was some surgical remove of the "leadership" of your enemy cities.

That’s 303 for you they cheated before, cheated again, then partnered up with Mike hunt another cheater. I’d rather grin snd Curtis be in charge then known cheating pieces of shit

Don't act like this wasn't you guys just trying to take control of the game. You killed people under made, Wise guys and below, many who weren't even active. YOU were the rogue faction today, don't act like it's anything different than what SpikeS and those idiots did, you're guilty of the same bullshit, and trying to act like you aren't is insulting to everyone who died today. 

Pete your naivety would be laughable if it wasn't so depressingly sad

Oh look it’s bjorn another person who was banned but no list of why he is back or when what’s up bjorn you old piece of shit

Bjorn and team got banned for trying to find people’s irl information good thing he is back on top 

Your whole squad is full of cheaters 

Hhhg
From: ThymeBalm
Sent: Apr 24, '21 22:46
Subject:

No balls

hey bjorn if you had balls you’d be here defending your history of being a cheating pos but here we are so keep your mouth shut if you can’t put the bottle down and come here 

We know, they're sacks of shit. 

Again - Fuck you.

That’s what I thought thymebjorn better keep your mouth shut no balls bitch bet if we were talking bout tracing ip you’d have more to say 

Thyme got mouth in private but none in public but gotta remember he is bjorn he can’t talk with his mouth 

Shoresy had spent the past few days at the rink mixing protein shakes and skipping leg day.  Things had been busy as he prepped for the playdowns.  Finally one day, he made his way out into the streets in the wake of the recent events.  He handed his spitter over to one of his associates before he addressed the crowd.

"So much anger, and you wonder why people might not want to come out and explain their intentions." He shrugged.

"I'm guessing there's many layers to the final decision, and it's not always just cut and dry.  What I do appreciate is the effort to explain your point of view.  In a few wars gone past we got away from this - so to see it again is refreshing. Thanks for that."

"Not much else to say really.  Let's get back to business and make some dough."

Taking a break from his daily collections Bosco listens in to the ongoing debate raging on the streets with interest before offering his own thoughts on the matter

What I do appreciate is the effort to explain your point of view.  In a few wars gone past we got away from this - so to see it again is refreshing. Thanks for that.

I would like to echo my boy Shoresy's statement here.

I know nobody is owed an explanation, but it's always nice to see someone coming out, taking the heat and discussing the reasons behind a removal, because it gives the sons and daughters of the fallen some sort of closure. That being said, it's always a shame to see so much death, so I hope the kin of those slain find success going forward.

RIP one and all.

I very much appreciate you stepping on your custom-made soapbox and you sharing the information you have with the people, Herbert.. It does sadden me that the reactions are somewhat bitter, although this may be understandable as many's loved ones were relentlessly nihilated.

Taking off his aviatorgoggles, PilotPhil decides to add his own thoughts.

I have four points to make. First is, I am ready to fly and scout locals for you if needed, as long as you pay for it. Although that is totally unrelated to anything said before, it is, in fact, a fact. This doesn't only apply to you, but to anyone here.

Prostitute PilotPhil scrapes his throat and continues

Then.. more to the issue you brought up, the second point I would like to give information on is the MoYan case. From my ancestors, I behold some information on both the assumption you have made and although I understand where this came from, as my great-grandmother in fact took the shot and a far, far forefather of late MoYan was a student of the even further further forefather of my great-grandmother. It may sound abstract, but in fact it is pretty obvious.

Looking around, PilotPhil understands noone is waiting for any further explanation.

Anyway.. I can swear on my own future grave that MoYan was not involved in any witnessstatementcatching..

Realizing he had pronounced a word that had three s's in a row made him smile

..I even doubt if MoYan was involved in anything at all, as I think he was mostly filling a vacancy most of the time.. I do feel, Herbert, that you knew and/or could have known about his uninvolvedmentness.

Changing subject, Phil launched three fingers up into the air as if they were a plane and showed them to anyone that was looking

Then, I also wonder if it also has played a part that an underaged, yet authed, crewleader of the West Coast took the opportunity to shoot an allied pro-shooting Wise Guy whilst the rest of the alliance was collectively proeing and refreshing on a rogue..? Personally, I would say that was a massive lack of leadership and therefore  a demonstration of misplaced trust in an auth. Maybe it had no influence on the decision, but I just wondered..

And then, finally, about the last words Desperado spoke..
If I would have heard them, I would have thought something different of it. Maybe he had prepared them the day before the recents events.. Just in case he would have gotten shot by the rogueing SpikeS..? That would be the first, and in fact only, explanation that would come to mind for me.

Realizing he is out of words to speak by now, Prostitute Professional Pilot Phil overthinks advertising for his fly-and-scout enterprise again, then decides he will probably not need more attention at the moment.

All in all, I feel some things may be missing from your story, some minor points may be wrongly assumed, other information may be slightly off, but I massively respect you stepping forward and showing us your line of of thoughts.

Bravo!

And my condoleances to all kin of he fallen..