The issues of 'What would you do?' will lay out sticky scenarios that we would only come across once or twice in our everyday lives. At the end of each scenario there will be an open end for righteous and keen judgment. My goal is to leave you thinking, hopefully caught in between the gaps of your mind. Even though I want to focus on the gray areas where you're questioning your priorities, morals, beliefs, etc., I know that won't always be the case because there are people out there who have their stuff outlined with a permanent black marker. However, it doesn't hurt to try. Maybe some of the responses you get in this issue will define a person's personality in a indirect way and I think that would be something unique. I made this issue somewhat different from the others. I got feedback telling me some of my scenarios were too extreme so I cranked it down a couple notches and presented a more realistic situation. So ladies and gentlemen, I'm proud to present you Issue 3!

This thing of ours has many protocols to follow over time as you're making your way through the ranks. Most, if not all, will result in death when these are not followed. The reason for this is because many of these protocols are outlined by a very defined boundary. So when an individual breaks this protocol, there is no excuse for their lack of understanding. However, there are other existing protocols that are not defined so well...

When you see unsponsors walking around the streets, several things come to mind. At first, they pose a threat because there is no universal rule being obligated to follow. Realistically, this person has the potential of endangering your life along with the members of your family. But there are some circumstances that make this particular matter acceptable. After a family war, there are surviving members who find themselves homeless out in the streets. The victims of war are obviously left behind for a reason so other surrounding families broadcast a protection list to give enough time for these people to find another home. Another type of unsponsor you may see are the ones who are very young in age. So there is a protocol to follow as you spot these two different types of unsponsors. If you decide to break this protocol and kill one of these unsponsors, then most likely you will be met by a bullet lodging in your brain.

So, you're completely aware of the protocol you have to follow when dealing with unsponsors but there is a very odd situation you find yourself in.  As you were conducting your daily business, there's a unsponsor you see walking too close to your city's HQ. You check to see if there was a recent war or any kind of protection list but there is none to be found. Next, you take a closer look at this individual and they don't look young at all. Paranoia is now crawling up your spine and you feel the sense of urgency to make some kind of decision because you can't have this unsponsor freelancing around your neighborhood, it's too risky. You don't know this person and you definitely don't know their motives so something has to be done. So you wait for a couple of hours to go by in hope for this unsponsor to leave but he's still lurking close by. While you were waiting, you got word that a Made Man from another city got killed for breaking the rules and this unsponsor was his associate.

If there's no form of protection being stated by the Made Man's family or the Made Man's son, then what kind of definition does this unsponsor have when following a protocol directed to unsponsors? Is it acceptable to kill this unsponsor due to the unknown dangers that they may bring? You never know because this unsponsor might think he can do whatever he wants since his sponsor is dead. If it's not acceptable to kill, then doesn't this unsponsor deserve a public announcement of protection? Even though this is an inconvenience and surely a cost of your time, but would you check with the other city's family before any decision are made? Or do nothing at all because can you even consider this individual a unsponsor? All these thoughts are racing through your head but there is only so little time to make a decision. So....

What would you do?

Play it safe. Holster my gun and start talking to the Family Heads. It ain't worth taking a shot, hit or miss, and then being shot for attacking someone under protection.

I'll notify the Godfather of his old Crew and that CL for any protection on him. If not, then I will ask them to either whack him or let someone else do it for them.

Better safe than sorry.

Sneakyrat listens closely to Tritium's questions, checking every bit of information he has gained from his brain and comes up with his answer...

"A very delicate situation sir, but if i may... i am quite aware that i am low rank but i have gained much experience from my father in our way of life. And i would say the best thing to do is to advice my leaders ASAP. This one may be a threat and i certainly dont have the authorization to make such a critical decision by my own. We have leaders, this is not for nothing and also a hit squad. They have all the answers, if not they will call a meeting with the other heads and make their decision. This situation is for the high ranks to handle, they have the expertise and the power to protect them from the consequences of their actions. Besides, i have worked way to hard to survive in this world and i dont want to end it because of a unecessary finger movement. Let the heads handle it is my answer."

I'd pass on the event to my boss and see what he thinks ogf it. Better not to screw up in a case like this.

Why are we assuming this particular youngster is "lurking" or "freelancing"?  Apparently, according to your facts, he was sponsored a mere hours ago.  So, now YOU have all the facts you need.  You've made the determination that this man was sponsored by a Made Man from a particular family. 

So, the first thing you do is tell that particular crewleader that this poor youngster has been left unsponsored by the ill dealings of his former sponsor.  Then, you might want to let this guy know, who probably has no idea his sponsor has been killed, that vital information and even instruct him on what he should do. 

We live in a world that is definitely different than times gone by.  We are no longer a shoot first society - and so though they may be unwritten, there are still rules that such a "civilized" society should follow. 

First thing we may want to do is not to assume everybody is an enemy.  Or if we are to assume everybody is an enemy (whether they are sponsored or not) then the fact that they are unsponsored should not weigh in our decision. 

There are very few unsponsored wanderers out there who pose as imminent a threat as those who may be very sponsored and very protected. 

There's no one assuming anything Don WillHayes, this is simply a layout of a fictional situation. Also, there is no statement above that applies when this individual became unsponsored. This was done on purpose because it leaves a bigger open end for the reader to answer. Your reasoning is understandable when you look at this situation if the individual was unsponsored for a short time, but would your reasoning still hold it's ground if the individual was unsponsored for a week? Two weeks?

What fun would it be if I gave you only way to answer this question?

Listens intently to the discussion and clears his throat

I think for someone like myself, new to these streets and this world, the best way to approach this situation is to seek the advice of your family head. This is an easy answer for a lowly gangster, but had i been of higher rank with a more vital role in the protection of my family i would have to consider taking him out. I would of course ask somebody and probably speak to the man himself, but id be prepared to take the shot.