Stallion steps out of his head quarters, two bodyguards in tow. The glare of the sun blurring his vision, Stallion puts on his sunnies and begins his decent down the main steps. Looking forward, he sees his car waiting for him. His bodyguard Serbus standing there with car door open. Looking up and down the street, Stallion takes in the wonderful area of Hell’s Kitchen. To him, it was home. Since the day Godfather Premeir gave him this district to rule as his own Stallion has brought it to heights unimaginable before. Cops walked in the middle of the street, afraid to walk on the pathways in case they were pulled into an alleyway and severely beaten. In this little district, he was a god. Men moved out of his way, eyes kept down out of respect and fear. It always made him laugh to imagine how these people would behave if Godfather Premeir appeared, walking in the streets. Reaching the bottom of the steps, Stallion smiles and shakes Serbus’ hand.

“Fine morning today, is it not?”

“That it is sir, one of the best in a long time,” Serbus replies grinning. Looking back at his other bodyguards, Stallion gives them a nod each before moving to enter the car.

Just then a gunshot echoes in the early morning streets of Hell’s Kitchen. Someone grunts near Stallion. Reflexes kicking in, Stallion draws his gun out but before he can look around to see where the shot came from one of Stallions bodyguards thrusts him back into the car and closes the door on him. Stuck in the car, grinding his teeth in anger, Stallion can only sit there and listen to the gun battle erupting from outside the car. Not an ounce of thought goes to his bodyguards safety for that was what they were paid for. What felt like an hour but was most likely only a few short moments. The car door opens and Stallion brings his gun to aim.

“Wow there boss it’s me Serbus.”

Keeping his finger on the trigger Stallion pushes Serbus out of the way and gets out of the car. Looking around he sees that the streets have emptied. Facing Serbus he asks, “Where are Adrian and Robin?”

“They went after the guy boss. We didn’t manage to get a clear view of his face.”

“Robin better catch the guy because only that will remove the punishment he will be getting for shoving me into the car like that,” says Stallion.

“He took a bullet in the shoulder boss. I would think that would be enough punishment.”

“We shall see,” responds Stallion finally noticing the blood patch on Serbus’ jacket, “shit you have been hit too.”

“It’s only a graze sir, nothing to worry about,” replies Serbus

“Good, but take care of it after you get me to Cadoras’ head quarters.”

“Will do boss,” says Serbus as he opens the car door for Stallion. Getting back into the car, Stallion finally puts his gun back in its holster once Serbus closes the door. Jumping into the drivers seat Serbus starts the car and leaves the curb. Watching Serbus through the rear view mirror Stallion says, “call the rest of the family, get them all to meet up at Cadoras’ place. We need to find out who tried to kill me today.”

“Yes boss. But may I say one thing?” asks Serbus.

“What is it?”

“Well the shooter, from what it looked like he wasn’t aiming at you. In fact he was aiming at Adrian, Robin and I. Never seen anyone keener to kill bodyguards.”

Sitting opposite Cadoras, Stallion sips his glass of scotch. Both their heads turn at the knock on the door. Jim, Cadoras’ head of security, pops his head in.

“Most of the guys are here sir. Shall I let them in?”

Cadoras nods his head in approval. Leaving the room for a couple seconds, Jim comes back opening both doors and leading most of the high rankers from both Cadoras’ and Stallions families. They shuffle around their bosses waiting to hear the reason they were called to this meeting so abruptly. As agreed on earlier Cadoras stood up to speak first.

“Today someone has declared war on New York. Stallion was fired upon barely escaping with his life.” Stallion smirked at that comment, “It is up to all of you to find out who this person is, who they work for and which city we will be wiping out.” Stallion gazed upon his members with a smile. He could see the lust in their eyes with the prospect of war ahead. Such blood hungry wolves they all were. Suddenly a man walked into the room limping, blood all over his shirt. Jim  was quick to stand next his boss but Stallion knew there was no danger. This man was Corrado, a member of his. All eyes focused on Corrado and his blood stained shirt. Standing up Stallion walked over to Corrado putting his hand on his shoulder.

“What happened Corrado? Have you been shot?”

Standing straight and proud to have his boss next to him Corrado says, “The blood isn’t mine sir but my bodyguards. He is dead after being shot several times. It happened while I was inside Jims Fishing Shed collecting our protection money. I heard gun shots outside and quickly pulled out my gun running outside only to find my bodyguard on the floor barely alive. I tried to save him but it was too late.” Corrado cast his head down in sadness. Turning to Cadoras, Stallion gives him a puzzling look. Facing back to the crowd Cadoras speaks up again, “all of you are free to stay around my head quarters and enjoy its many pleasures while I discuss this new information with Stallion.”

Waiting for them all to leave, Jim closing the door behind him, Stallion sits back in his chair and begins to cradle his glass of scotch.

“Is someone actually targeting our bodyguards?” He asks

Sitting down also in his chair Cadoras sighs, “It would seem that way man, from what Serbus told you and now this. But it seems all so pointless. What on earth would they get from this?”

“Fuck knows man,” responds Stallion, “enough messed up people in this world.” Another knock sounds from the door, Cadoras tells them to enter. Once again Jim walks in but his face looks dangerously serious.

“Sir, I have news from Godfather Premeir. Actually I have news from all the cities.”

Stallion and Cadoras look at each other puzzled. “Go on man,” says Cadoras.

“Well it would seem sir today has been a bloody day, well the last few days have been. Several bodyguards belonging to low rankers have been killed and some high rankers ones shot at and wounded. Godfather Premeir has condemned the acts and demands the head of the culprits. So far not one attacker has been caught. Also now plenty of rumours are spreading saying these attackers are in leagues with the plumbers.” Cadoras scoffs, “These plumber fools are really becoming troublesome. Though I would not be surprised if it was them behind it all. They aren’t strong enough to make any real impacts on us but they do stupid moves like shooting low rankers bodyguards because they are too pussy and weak to go for the big fish. Such attention seekers these plumber fools are.”

“Well sir,” responds Jim, “it is only a rumour and now these attackers are getting a name of their own. They are being called the unidentified assailants.”

“Stupid name for stupid people,” growls Stallion.

“Godfather Premeir knows about it now so I say we wait for more orders from him but until then we stay on our toes and try to catch these fuckers,” says Cadoras.

Standing outside Cadoras’ head quarters, Stallion waits for his car to arrive. Taking a quick glance at his bodyguards next to him he notes the nervousness in their movements. They obviously heard about these bodyguard killers. Stallion is going to have to have a word with them to toughen their resolve. Seeing his car come around the corner he makes his way to the curb with one hand inside his jacket pocket firmly pressed against his gun. Mumbling under his breath he says, “Let the hunt for the Unidentified Assailants begin.”