The sun had already started her descend into the ocean when Tycho’s son stood across the road of the abandoned steel factory. The FBN were finishing up with their investigation at the scene and gave him suspicious looks on their way off the premises. After standing there for a while he made his way over to one of the bars that the family frequented. The hit had been hard and efficient so he was not surprised to find just the bartender in there. He asked for a rum, a piece of paper and a pencil.

“Dear L.A.,
 

I’m not sure if any of you will ever read this, but knowing my father cared for you it felt wrong to leave without a notice. He’d wanted you to not feel angry about the attack on our operation by the Detroit underworld. Instead look back with a smile on the good days we had and the people you may now call friends. Death and defeat never is convenient, but it’s guaranteed to come, so don’t get too upset about it. It’s not worth it. The thing that’s not guaranteed in this life here is living. Many days pass here where people are merely shadows of what they could be, simply because their leader doesn’t enable them to do better out of fear or lack of care. My father and Rossi tried to be different in LA. No free rides were given, but efforts were always rewarded. With organised crime removed from LA it is time for you to show your qualities elsewhere. Please find a leader that’s worth your loyalty, someone who will value you and then work your ass of for them.

If you happen to read this, you probably have heard about the speech given by Godfather Spike after our removal. Do not be mad at him, cause to a certain extent it was a wise decision to remove us. The reasons given would be easily rendered invalid, but I’m not writing you to clear my father’s reputation, for those who matter know how he was in life. I want to write about my father’s silence towards other leaders as Spike brought up. My father chose to be silent, because he had no need for Spike’s or Jake_Ballard’s friendship. Neither did they care about what my father would’ve had to offer, or they would’ve reached out to him. LA was meant to be independent and not being controlled by a big city half way across the country. We’ve always kept that independence. My father ensured stability on the West-Coast, but had no interest in false pretensions of working together with certain people. He believed in his approach, knowing it would set him back compared to many others, but that he could be true to his identity.

That said, my father and Spike were never enemies. They were independent competitors in a violent world. Ultimately Spike defended his interests in Detroit. There was no immediate threat, but it would’ve been naive to think it wouldn’t evolve to that. In the end, they treated each other very alike. Or really they ignored each other, while both could be very deadly. They were the same threat to each other and Detroit chose to pre-emptively remove that threat. Even if we had communicated more, our independence and strength would’ve always remained a threat and I’m happy we died because of that. Starting fake friendships would’ve resulted in a knife in my father’s back, instead of a bullet to the head. In this place it’s worth something to not die by the hands of your “friends”.

My father is buried and our apartment in Downtown LA has been burned down. I have no home here anymore. My ancestors immigrated from Europe not so long ago and our family has experienced intense and joyful times here. For those times I thank those who were placed on my ancestors paths. With the money my father left me, I have decided to go and travel the world, so I won’t be around anymore. But I will tell stories to my children about America and they will tell that story to theirs. It’s realistic to suspect one of us ever makes it back to this place. I can only wonder how they’ll find it. Remembering how my father cared for you, I wish you all well.

- Bob.”

Tycho’s son finished his drink and asked the bartender to save the letter in case any former friends or family members would ever show up at the bar. He puts a five-dollar bill on the bar, nods and walks out of the door.

A class above the rest to the end, my old friend.

There's nothing more to say, the silver cup lays discarded and the men of honour who drank from it across Philly, New York and LA lay dead. 

I'm going to join you on that trip around the world, we'll be have our own little Explorers Club.

I will climb alongside my brothers and sisters I will only die with them, on top of the highest peaks.

Will never forget.

Los Angeles was a small home for my father. He had been sleeping a lot in his life. He often mentioned how fantastic Tycho and Rossi both were, even stating to me once that they two, along with his love, Liquorice, were the reason he had joined the life of crime.

Los Angeles was a home to but a few heads, but everyone knew each other. It was finally becoming a close knit community, everyone talked to each other, promotions were tough to come by but they were very well earned when one did achieve such a task. I know if my father, Mint, was still alive, he'd be heartbroken to see the sons of the two greatest men of Los Angeles going on a long cruise, far away from this life.

It makes me sad to see you two go. I will cherish my parents memories in Los Angeles. I hope that all the sons and daughters of the mobsters of sunny Los Angeles are happy with what they achieved and the success that they had for being a small, independent city.

Son, I knew your father. Not extremely close, but close enough to know how much he cared for his family. He was taking an old world approach to this new world. This is a world that has evolved past old ideals and old ways. Whether you think that is right or wrong, honestly it's irrelevant.

His policy of isolation was the reason his life was ended. Well at least that is my opinion. Right now though what matters is that he is free from this life, he is in a much better place now.

Just take solace in the fact that he loved his associates as family. He guided the hand of many immigrants that just came ashore. Sometimes that is not enough. Sometimes the streets chew you up and spit you out, but such is the life we live.

he folds the note neatly, handing it to the bartender giving him a $20 as well

I'll keep this short as I didn't know your father incredibly well the one thing I did know about him and really the only that mattered was that he was a good hardworking man and will be missed.

This is absolutely one of the best post-war speeches I have read during my time in these parts. You do honor to your father with these words.

Tony walks out to the streets to here the speech given. A lot of blood had been shed on these streets over the last 36 hours or so. It was never ever a joyous thing to watch. As Tony listened to Semper Fi speak he lit up his cigar and puffed away. The words coming out of the man's mouth shocked Tony a bit. He was expecting anger and outrage but instead he got a man just speaking his mind. 

Tony nodded. He then realized he was running late for a meeting so he decided it was time to go. Still he was glad he was there to hear the words of one...SemperFi.

Class, all the way.   This world needs more leaders who are willing to live and die by their own beliefs and expectations.  

Much respect.