Pulling the old soap box to the sidewalk, I step up and speak my mind for all to here.

"This speech may be controversial to say the least but lets get it all out there. I want to hear from everyone on this one, is there a point to all this right now?... we have what 7 families in Chicago, 6 families in Vegas, and non stop rumors about cities taking each other out. Lets be realistic for a moment... Chicago and Vegas run the show... hands down. We heard all the non sense like Detroit was removed because Vegas felt threatened. Again 6 crews onto what the 3 that Detroit had?. Now Philly gets destroyed and everyone wonders why the streets are running empty. Fact remains that lately it seems as though if a family even shows a little bit of progress they get taken out. Then everyone sits around and wonders why the streets are dry. Its like. Damn ghost town now, well except for the majority of people in Vegas and Chicago. Maybe soon we can file the other cities and work on population and get back to business instead of swirling rumors around and killing off entire cities.

We can never know 100% that each reason a leader gives is true;  but, if you were in power and you had valid intel that another city was about to

hit you, what the heck would you do? It's not as easy to be in charge as you would think - We all want this game to grow/populate and hopefully

no more wars will breakout.. Even if they do - that's how it works in this world of ours..

I know how things work here. Thing is if I was a CL and had like 5 or 7 families along side me I really would not see the point of worrying.

Yeah well, you do know alliances have, can, and will be broken right?

I agree Mastermind, I wish it would so I could get away from this Leader I have. He sucks so bad and its just insanity, the simple fact is this world is always ran by some form of alliances no matter how good or bad they may be. I do not know what happened with Detroit necessarily except I do know that they were pointing fingers at Vegas claiming that we wanted them dead, once I heard that I immediately said they should die then because pointing fingers saying that you do not trust another city and think they might attack is absurd.

As for Philadelphia are we really claiming their death was not valid? They had their entire city hitlist themselves to attempt to spread a message, they killed their own leaders, and I heard some other things such as member whoring at one stage, among something else I cannot remember now. Either way Philadelphia was a joke of a city and this world is a better place without them.

I do hope the empty cities do fill up. I would enjoy seeing all the cities with people, not just a couple of large cities and emptiness. I understand that it takes time though to figure all the stuff out regarding people moving around and actually filling those cities.

Thoughts of being left out in the initial speech, i get back to my headquarters and make the city of New York work harder. Before leaving a piece of paper falls from her purse and a bystander picks it up and begins to read.

When a city is emptied for whatever the reason is. An explanation would be nice, but is not mandatory.  For the ones who know the real reasoning behind such moves know not everyone will believe anyway. 

"I won't get into the reasons why Philadelphia was removed because I don't have them, you'll have to take that up with Chicago.

I believe you said 'Fact remains that lately it seems as though if a family even shows a little bit of progress they get taken out'. I liked Tellurium, and most of those in Philadelphia that I spoke to, but what progress did they make? Like really, what solid progress did they make which wasn't undone by themselves?

When it comes to talk about expansion and population however, I am all for this in every way.

I am so much for it I even dropped my headquarters to thirty members and whilst in the process, the entire of Las Vegas have shown their support by dropping their headquarters also. They did this without me even having to ask them, they took it upon themselves. Hell, even the new auths here are on thirty member headquarters if you haven't noticed already. This was something I hoped others would notice and follow, and over time it has...

PaleRider is on thirty member headquarters, Bobby_Roode, MaraSov. Why? It gives more opportunity to people and the chance to take that leap to crewleader whilst spreading numbers out to other cities.

If you are patient enough, I am sure you will see Detroit and Philadelphia filled with people again soon, you just need to give it time.

I must be going to sleep now, I can feel myself losing concentration, it's been a long day. As for Chirp, you should keep it to yourself how poor a crewleader I am, don't want you ruining my relationships now. If you don't like it here, fuck off somewhere else."

Artus picks up an old piece of paper on the floor, scrunches it up into a small ball and launches it at Chirp.

Well Artus then please do explain what happened to Detroit?... my understanding is that Vegas believed Detroit w's starting to grow and was removed. If that is not the case please give a solid explanation. I mean after all a lot of hard working Detroit members were killed so I think an explanation would be in order. If not then I would have to assume that they were removed due to the fact they were showing that they were expanding... and therefore would prove my point when I say when anyone shows progress, they are removed.

And Philly... Tellurium was around quite some time now, so you tell make what she accomplished... better yet ask her bloodline who I am sure will roam these streets soon enough. My understanding was she was a very well respected member in this thing of ours. But when I look at the obits she is in there so she must of done something that caused chaos. She had what 2 families in Philly?... Chicago has 7 so intimidation or fear of being taken out is defiantly not a factor.

Hearing more whispers Deces makes her way back to the crowd of many listeners. Waits for a brief moment and decides to say a short couple words.

When looking at the population of ones city compared to the next, some could see a different picture. When looking at a loss of someone great that would form a ripple affect, well that saids a lot too.

Franky had been listening but had been planning on staying quiet when he heard Detroit mentioned. Feeling the need to set the record straight he decided to speak up. 

"Sir, I do not know if you had family in Detroit or Philly, if you did I am sorry for your loss. That said, my father was one of those struck down when Detroit fell. When I first learned of his death I was rather angry - I know he was a hard working and respected member of society and so the seemingly unnecessary death left me searching for answers."

"After that war, however, Don Slash came to the streets and explained that while he was not going to go into detail he was happy to explain to those who lost family what caused the attack. I reached out to him and he gave me a very detailed explanation for the attack - and explanation that cooled the fires of revenge in my heart and allowed me to accept the reasoning for the take down."

Franky took a second to light a cigar and take a shot out of his hip flask

"The reason I mention this is twofold. First, while I will respect Don Slash's wishes and not go into detail on the streets about the reason for the attack on Detroit I can tell you that it had nothing to do with the families growing. Second, I think it is important to understand that ignorance of a reason does not indicate a lack of a reason. That is to say, that just because you do not know all of the details that led to Don Slash or Godfather Kurgan striking when they did on Detroit and Philly respectively does not mean that they did not have valid reasons." 

"Finally, I will just add that while Philly certainly was smaller than Chicago anyone who has lived through a rogue crew deciding to wage war knows that if allowed to take action at the time of their choosing even a small crew - let alone a small city - can cause huge amounts of damage. If there was an apparent threat to Chicago you cannot blame them for taking action to prevent it - no matter how small you might have considered that threat."

Dry streets?

Sure they may have been a little quiet over the past couple weeks, I assume that might be due to the holiday season. I'm sure in due time we'll see them flourish as always, after all, it has been Vegas who have been pushing the activity out here for a long time. It's not as if Philly and Detroit were the be all and end all of the streets, sure Kate was very active out here but asides from that there weren't many speakers coming out of Detroit. As for Philly? Tellurium would chime in with an opinion here and there but there's nothing stopping that offspring doing the same. Just because there's 2 dead cities it doesn't mean it's the end of the streets. 

Trollish speeches like this one will paint over the cracks until the rest of us get moisturising and bring something forward for everyone to pipe up on. Myself personally I've ventured out here a little less than I normally would but with the holiday season around, it's been a busy time for all, not just myself.

What exactly is it you want from the streets and is it really a result of war that stops the streets being used? If you want discussions, create one. Entertainment? Try the business districts. There's nothing stopping the streets remaining active other than the people within the community not speaking. As leaders, we rarely punish people for speaking out of turn and as much as this speech is utter drivel, I won't shoot you for it, I'll just point out how you're a stupid cunt for coming out here with no real fact behind your comments and provide you with a break down of why you're an utter pissant wrong.

As leaders there's only so much we can do, I actively encourage anyone to come out here and speak but it's not on me if people aren't speaking, it's down to each individual on whether or not they come out here and pipe up with something to say. I like to inspire discussions from time to time, there's nothing stopping others doing the same. I'm sure this speech in itself will provide some entertainment for a short period of time. So well done for being slightly useful.

As for rumours, these aren't the sole reasons to war and in fact they weren't any of the reasons for the Detroit and Philly takedowns, at least not from the end of either Chicago or Vegas. You've been around the block before, so you'll know there's more to these things than the whole he said, she said shite. I'll let you go and mooch about for the reasons for those wars, they're common knowledge and can be found fairly easy. Once you've heard the reasons, you'll see Philly were wiped for creating the rumours in order to try and unsettle an alliance. With that said, regardless of the reasons for a war, a rumour is as good as any. In the end it doesn't particularly matter and you don't need to be happy with these reasons, that's not what they're there for. None of us were happy with the KateLogan outcome but it was something that simply had to be done in the end. RIP Streets, God rest their soul.

Philly was a disaster. I genuinely liked Tellurium but Philly was horribly ran, there were so many fuck ups along the way I was genuinely surprised it wasn't levelled a long time ago. So while you may feel there was some element of progress there, whatever that may be (I'm really unsure), there actually wasn't, asides from getting a few bums in their HQ's and maybe the auth of Chase_TheWolves that's pretty much it.

As a low life bottom feeder there is information that you simply won't be privy too, so if you come out here and make statements with no supporting evidence then you are going to look like a spaz. A speech was given not long ago regarding the Detroit take down, if you ask about you'll find out what you're looking for.

As for Vegas and Chicago running the show, again this is erroneous. We have regular meetings with input from all leaders who attend these meetings. This is to ensure we progress as a community and is also a time where we listen to the thoughts of the bottom feeders as well as the members we value and bring their points to the table so that we might try to implement some of the things you guys want to see.

I've said before, I don't mind people coming out here to inspire discussions and challenge us as leaders but I won't tolerate people coming out and bringing baseless shit to the street and trying to promote it as the truth.

Cheers,

Lord Fitz

Axel removed his fedora and scratched his head, not knowing what to think of the discussion and then some follow up responses. He was quite calm and collected in public for the most part, yet was starting to irk at such claims and rehashed complaining. But, as he does, he stepped forward when an opportunity presented itself and jabbered his input out there for those that were open to it.

"Where to start?"

Axel brushed his hand over his hair then replaced the fedora back on his head. He gave it a tug to make sure it had a forward and slight sideways slant, just like the gangsters in the movies. He then addressed the one on the soapbox first.

"The streets we are on aren't dead, if that's what your qualm is. Just take a look around. I grow tired of people out here blubbering on about this, that are never out here anyways. Get the fuck out here and be apart of it, and stop the whining."

"If you mean instead, that some cities run dry, because they currently aren't taken over by organizations like the ones that run other cities, then have some foresight and realise when the time is right they will be. Rome was destroyed much quicker than it was built. To build something and to destroy it are two different things. I'm sure you can see where I'm going with this."

"Lastly, what the fuck? Just. What. The. Fuck. If you really knew what this life was about, you wouldn't be out here complaining on the topics of simply what this life is all about. Alliances. Rumours. Wars. Empty Cities. Rebuilding. What exactly is it you're trying to say here, exactly?"

Axel then turned his attention to his good chum Conn. He liked the guy, really, like a good stiff drink after a long day, which was beginning to become apparent that Axel may just be in need of one.

"I like you pal. But sometimes you say the weirdest shit."

Axel returned with a hip flask. He was a little more loose, less rigid, less critical. The liquor in the silver container had that affect on him. His soul was a little more apparent, his philosophical mind a little more at the fore, and although a little tipsy he was less edgy. He began moving through the crowd as he took more swigs of his other love. Betty was his first, yet whisky held a place in his heart too, or maybe his stomach.

"Alright, maybe I spoke a little too... Harsh? I dunno. Here."

Axel offered the flask to Conn as he approached him, then pulled it back before Conn could respond, and took another swig.

"You don't need any, you're already drunk."

Axel then found himself at the man on the soap box. He looked at him, tilting his head to the side.

"I apologize... to not-one. BUT! Maybe a little of this might help you."

Axel then offered the flask to -Costigan-. In a repeat performance, he pulled it away again, then poured a little out on the ground as he said a Fe words, before taking another swig.

"For the fallen."

Axel staggered off through the crowd, bumping the odd person as he did.

I honestly think it's because the big cities are scared that by starting off a new one, it might grow bigger and stronger than them.

Slash looks at Conn in utter disbelief, unsure whether to laugh at how crazy the logic is, or pity that the lad simply hasn't understood things enough yet

Conn, you were in my family at the time of the move to take down Detroit. An explanation was given. Nothing was out of any sort of fear. In fact, KateLogan was a fantastic person who I wanted to continue to work alongside and we had several projects together we were working on to help this world grow. Not Vegas, not Detroit, but this World.

Sadly, other factors became too much and Detroit was removed because of them. To the other misinformed person crying about the fact Vegas has soo many leaders; we didn't when we attacked Detroit. No matter though, I'm not going to sit and squabble over semantics.

Chicago has also given its reasons for Philly being removed. But seeing as the people here stomping feet haven't bothered to listen to that either, I'll summarise a little for you;

Tellurium made accusations against members of Kurgans family in regards to a large hit being placed numerous times on her head. A hit that people from Vegas helped buy off not just once, but twice. First time prior to the Detroit removal and 2nd time prior to Phillys removal. Coincidence I can assure you.

Further to making unfounded and unproven accusations against Kurgans family, there were then accusations made against a member of another Chicago family. Neither of which were brough to their respective leaders, neither were offered proof, and yet their names were being openly besmirched for these actions.

Chicago quite rightly were offended at this, but they chose to wait for Tellurium to approach them with the proof.

Tellurium then came to me to advise of concerns that Chicago was due to attack Vegas, these were rumours she had received from a source close to her apparently. I laughed so hard I think I wet myself. Not because Chicago couldn't attack Vegas, but more so because I was so certain they wouldn't. You see, when I came to this world I met up with a very old friend of the family, you know him as Kurgan. I lived in that HQ for some time, long enough to be trusted with the position of Left Hand to the family. This was before Kurgan gave agreement to me setting off to Vegas to build my own family.  Perhaps Tellurium or her source were unaware of this fact, as I'm sure had they know this then they would know that Kurgan and I are very close indeed. Neither would wish harm on the other and should there be reason for one to fight the other, a sit down would most certainly have taken place already to discuss the issues.

I spoke to Kurgan of these rumours, though as Tellurium had not advised who the source was, I simply advised Kurgan of the rumours and not who had shared the information with me. Later Kurgan was laughing about the rumour with another member of Vegas, who joined in the laughing and happend to mention to Kurgan that Tellurium was the source of the rumour - this led Kurgan to the conclusion that the spreading of this rumour was no longer a joking matter nor was it meant as some sort of assistance to Vegas, instead it was an attempt to force Vegas into attacking Chicago to sort out the problems that Philly was having with certain Chicago members. Whether that is indeed the case or not, we'll never know. But Kurgan was offended enough for that to secure the decision that coupled with the aforementioned disrespect of accusations on their people, Chicago now believed Philly were attempting to build allies to taken on Chicago, It didnt matter that Vegas wouldn't have moved on Chicago as its likely Tellurium had been unaware of this fact and so made a very fatal error. Chicago then wiped Philly out.

I believe the information above is already open knowledge to anyone that wished to ask Kurgan, as well as mostly being included in the speech he already gave in the streets. If after this people still dont know the reasons, then its through their own ignorance and nothing more.

"Detroit was removed for a reason that was not due to expansion or growing, the same goes with Philadelphia. Like someone had mentioned already, Don Slash was accepting and understanding of peoples needs or want to know what happened to their father or mother at the time of Detroits fall, a lot of time has passed now.

Maybe Costigan, you should go and ask Slash what happened to Detroit, perhaps you should find where Kurgan made his speech and find the reason there why Philadelphia was removed.

Costigan, if you knew, that a city was trying to ally up with another to take you out... What would you do?

Would you sit there and do nothing? Would you let them find that ally? Would you let them come for you?

No. If you knew an attack was coming, you would act first and end the threat. It doesn't matter how big a threat they were or weren't, Philadelphia had tried to get another city on side to do most of their dirty work which they weren't prepared to do. So with their evidence, Chicago protected themselves.

Not sure if you are aware or not, but I think you'll also find that Philadelphia took the first shot, Kodak was the first to die, a hand of StripheGotti."

John listened as the young man spoke and chuckled a bit. Taking a drag off of his cigar he turned to him

"Mafia? I don't know what this thing you speak of is . . . we are all nice upstanding members of society who just happen to like to spend time with other upstanding members of society at our local clubs."

John let out chuckle

"Joking aside I think that you make a solid point that people tend to forget at times - while it is very nice for the leaders of our world to explain their actions when bloody business is required they are under no obligation to do so. In fact, I would go further to say that anyone who thinks that they have a right to know why leaders take certain steps is forgetting their place in this world."

"Back on the subject at hand, however. I realized when I spoke earlier that I responded to the implication that Philly and Detroit had been taken out because of growth - a ridiculous notion that I hope has been squashed by Don Slash and others at this point - but that I failed to respond to the actual issue brought up the fine gentleman on the soap box."

"First, I have to say that I disagree with the idea that Chicago and Las Vegas run everything. While they certainly are the most powerful cities at the moment I have seen no indication that they are trying to control the other cities and, in fact, I have seen every indication that they want to see leaders from all cities have a part in shaping our world. While I am far from highly enough placed to be privy to the conversations between our leaders I do know that they take place on a regular basis."

"As for the supposed death of our beloved streets being imminent due to the destruction of Philly and Detroit I would simply point out that while the streets certainly go through lulls - with the holidays causing an expected one - they always seem to stay strong over time. Bloodlines move to knew cities or reestablish themselves in old and life goes on. Sure, from time to time bloodlines may die off completely, however, that would happen with or without wars between cities."

"The reality is that while we are all civilized people who try to work together the life we lead is one that can turn violent quickly. We all accept this when we take the shadowy path - after all, when you shrug off the rules of society you also shrug off the protections of society."

Zootopia gets excited and awaits for all to finish speaking

Most of the responses are bullshit. What it boils down too is condescension and elitism. Period. I with great potential  have trained great potential mobsters as Don in this fucked up world and all including myself are nothing but puppets to the so called greatness. THE END.

I hop this helps clear up any confusion.