Blood In, Blood Out {Invite}

[King Vegas]

The Phillips Arena...Where GCW's third pay per view event of the inaugural season would be held on this very night...A surreal feeling coming over him as he walked the corridors of the arena itself...Taking in the sights, sounds, and all around him as if re-connecting with what he had been away from for seemingly too long...

His craft...

Far too long he had been away from what he was put upon this planet to do...What he had excelled in since day 1 of his still young career...What had ultimately somehow...Lead to the events of turmoil some months ago, splitting apart perhaps the most cohesive unit ever assembled in the sport of professional wrestling...The Familia...Which ultimately brings us to this day...

A slow stroll, as he seemingly had arrived before the bulk of the GCW roster had themselves. Which was good in his mind. He had a bit of catching up to do with a few people he knew were in Chicago for the event itself. One in particular though. It was important he speak with this one person in particular before his "meeting" with Taylor later in the evening. Oh how he longed to hear what else she would have to speak to him on this day. What could she possibly offer now to persuade him to take her up on the offer given over and over again. It was all he could do to suppress the smirk emerging in the corner of his mouth as he found himself arriving upon the corridor where he could plainly tell the majority of the GCW athletes would be preparing for the showcase ahead on this night.

"Jackpot..."

The single word to escape his lips as his eyes quickly began to scan back and forth between the doors on either side of the corridor. The names passed by within seconds it seemed, recognizing some, many more than he anticipated he would...And some he himself had never caught wind of before during his career. Shrugging off those that instilled no interest in his mind, he continued on, his steps decreasing in speed as he began to nod his head towards one in particular...

"What are the odds?...Heh Heh...Some numbers just can't be escaped I see...*Sigh*..."

He only shook his head after seeing the number embroidered into the broad side of the door, reaching forward and placing a single knock upon it before slowly taking a few steps back. There was little to no GCW personnel and wrestling talent present it seemed. A few passing every few moments yes, but nothing too crowded as he stood awaiting the moment when his overture would be answered...Impatiently...Waiting...

[m]

...That locker room happened to belong to the man with numbers for a name. Some call him Papa. Some call him Satan in the flesh. You may call him Tha Infamous 187. He had been in his locker room early. It was better if he was in his locker room before anyone. Never know what might happen if he ran into the wrong person. Those thoughts of painting the halls red were still in his mind. They were always in his mind. He couldn't shake the thought of massacring the locker room. It was just something that stuck in his mind. But he needed to contain himself. Just had to. Fuck it. He didn't need that now. Now? He needed to keep his mind focused. Keep his mind on the road ahead. He had plans tonight. He had the formula in his mind needed to gain a victory over the rat tonight. The blue print, as he put it, for his demise was set into motion. The location? Hell. Not literally. Hell in a Cell to be more specific. His opponent? That rat that had been such a thorn in his side forever now. Tonight was a night of revenge. Payback. He knew what he had to do.

Grind that rats face into the steel. Tearing the flesh from his face against the cage. Stomping his body into the mat. Breaking the rat's jaw with his knuckles. Choking his life from his body. Whatever it took to gain the victory tonight. Just needed to literally destroy the rat in the ring tonight. Destroy him and make him rue the day he had ever stepped into the gym all that time ago. Make him wish he had never met 187. Make that rat regret being born. That's what he wanted. That rat to be on the mat. Begging for his life to be spared. Begging for him not to put an end to the rat's miserable life. Only to get himself denied and finished off once and for all in the middle of the ring in front of everyone. Standing in his locker room. He had a roll of black tape in one hand while he was wrapping it around the other. Getting himself prepared for the war he had ahead of him. His eyes staring at the wall. Emotion on his face? None at all. He just stared at the wall. Planning. Plotting. Strategizing.

Then... Something caught his attention. A sound. A sound that came from behind him. An eyebrow arched up at the sound. Completely stopping the wrapping of his arm with the black tape. Who could be knocking at his door? He hadn't requested the presence of anyone. Perhaps it was Kenisha? He didn't know if she would. He knew she was here. It was probably safe to assume she already was well aware of his presence. Could she be at his door? Maybe it was staff to let him know something has happened? Could it be a trap? Could it be a trick? Who could be knocking on his door? This paranoia.... It was getting to him. Slowly, he began to turn around to look back at the door. Turning his body cautiously. He then ripped the tape and tossed the roll onto the couch. Pressing the other end he ripped off to his arm. He began to slowly approach the couch in his locker room. Kneeling down. He began to reach under the a cushion on the couch. Firmly grabbing ahold of something steel underneath. He began to pull it from under the couch. Revealing the shine of his golden Desert Eagle pistol. One of the twins.

Standing up straight, he would begin to step forward toward his locker room door. His free hand extending out to the doorknob. His other hand slipping the pistol behind his back. Concealing it from the sight of who it may be on the other side of the door. Once his hand had reached the doorknob. He gripped it and began to turn it. Sidestepping to the side of the door incase someone may try shooting through the door seeing the doorknob turn. He began to open it just a crack. His first words greeting the person on the other end were...

"Who is it?"

Opening the door slightly, he looked through the crack to see who it was. To his surprise, he did not expect to see this face. Not now anyways. He almost began to relax himself... but... he was never convinced that this man who he considered his brother was innocent. He never did figure out where they were during the time he was being a prisoner of war. He kept himself tense. Not relaxing just yet. He stood up straight. Pistol still hidden behind his back. He then continued....

"Well, well, well... What it is stranger? What took you so long?"

Act friendly. That's right. Pretend like you've been waiting for this moment. Don't know if you can trust him yet. There's no telling who it was who could have tried to kill him all that time ago. Brothers have been known to kill each other before. It wasn't like it was unheard of. Let's see what his brother has to say.

[King Vegas]

A forced smile? Hm, not like Mr. Taylor in the least. Perhaps he had caught his long time friend at a bad time? Perhaps Miss Williams was paying a private visit to his brother in arms? Or perhaps...

...And suddenly it hit him. The look in his eyes. Was it surprise? No, no it was more so that of paranoia he could tell. Easily spotted actually. He secretly wondered why such an emotion would find itself in the midst of a "reunion" between the two of them. Perhaps the events that unfolded in Toronto had contorted and manipulated his perception of their now scattered about the globe "family". Given the seriousness of said events? He almost understood the feeling...Almost...

His eyes quickly fell towards the center of the door, more so the area where he could plainly tell that something wasn't exactly "right" with this demeanor Mr. Taylor was showing at this moment in time. Nodding his head slightly, he slowly placed both of his hands into his pocket before responding with a trace of a smile emerging...

"You know me Mr. Taylor. Always wanting to make an entrance of course. But, I could ask the same of you. Quite the disappearing act you pulled back in Toronto now wasn't it? Just...Up and vanish...No trace...No words of departure...No warning...Simply amazing how a once comatose person could...Just up and disappear from sight. No one with any information on how or when he left the hospital that housed him wile his brethren watched over him...Hm...Interesting is it not? In actuality...Such a thing is or COULD be perceived by some as...A bit on the suspicious side. Good to see you're alive and kicking though. I'm not...Interrupting anything am I?..."

[m]

"Heh... heh... Oh you'd be surprised how many times I've heard that before... Or something along the same lines...."

There it goes again. Someone with some kind of knowledge of his whereabouts. Oh, how did he know that Vegas was going to mention something about his disappearance? Almost kind of makes you wonder, huh? It seems that Vegas knew a little more than the rest. That coma part mentioned. Perhaps that was becoming more and more true. Everyone keeps saying he was in a coma. Maybe he was? He didn't know. He knew he was in a car. Then he was shot. He blacked out. Woke up in a cold, concrete room. Like solitary confinement. And onto the tormenting torture that had followed for months. Hmm... Let's find out more about what Vegas knows. He was probably more aware of what had gone on during this whole situation. Shed some light on it. Looking back into his locker for a moment, he then looked back over at Vegas. Shaking his head.

"Nah. I ain't busy. Just getting ready to handle business. You know how I do."

Taking a step back, he began to fully open the door. That pistol still behind his back. Using that single hand, he slipped it into the back of his pants. Covering the handle up with the back of his shirt. Bringing his hand around to the front of him, he began to wave for Vegas to come inside.

"Come. Let's catch up. Pretty sure you've got plenty to tell since... well... this whole time... Right...?"

[King Vegas]

"Oh you have no idea...No idea how much so..."

Stepping forward, his steps slowly began to carry him into the confines of the locker room. Surely Mr. Taylor didn't believe, that he believed he'd be without protection? Hm...How funny isn't it? He should know better by now. Mr. Taylor was no doubt concealing a weapon on his person or within this very room somewhere...He'd bet his life on it...

Instantly he could tell it was his brother's locker room. The mere set up of the entire room screamed Mr. Taylor. That lingering scent of smoke helped with that case as well. Seconds later he was standing in the center of the room, speaking once more just as he could hear the door close behind them...

"...I see you're settling in quite nicely though. Good to know that "family" lands on their feet regardless of circumstances..."

The last words that leave his lips as he turns back towards the door of the locker room, making eye contact with his long time brother...

"...Oh indeed I have plenty to tell...But I would think your story is much more interesting,So...Let's not procrastinate old friend. Tell me... How DID you manage to just...Vanish...Into thin air, hm? I'm simply dying to know the truth of what happened back in Toronto all those months ago. Oh and...A drink would be nice as well...If you are able to accommodate?..."

[m]

"Guess you could say I settled in..."

Looking around the locker room for a brief moment. Nodding his head. How his "family" knew him all too well. It was amazing. How long has it been now? Going on three years now? Crazy how much you learn about a person in that amount of time. But that's why he calls them "family?" Shifting his vision back over to where Vegas was standing.

"My story? Well... I'd love to help explain that but uh.... I'm not even sure about the half of it.... Perhaps you could fill me in on some of the more vague parts...."

Shaking his head a bit. He did indeed need some explaining about this whole coma state business. Like he was going to have any recollection of this event? He was in a coma, or so he's heard. How would he know? It's not like people know they are in a coma when they are in one. He begins to take a few steps over to the couch. Reached over to the right side of the couch. Not visible what he was doing. He grabbed something on the other side. That pistol poking out through the back of his shirt. Was he going to hide it? No. This was "family." He didn't need to hide anything. Standing up straight. Two bottles could be seen intertwined in his fingers. It was clearly something alcoholic from just a quick glance at it. Turning back to Vegas. He handed him a bottle of Colt 45.

"It ain't Armadale but uh... It's all I got.... Now tell me.... What is this coma business I keep hearing about? All I know... Is some bastards tried to kill me. They tried to kill Kenisha. I just lost it in an attempt to bite the bullet, for lack of a better term.... Care to fill me in on what you know first?"

Paranoia rising. That suspicion rising. Let's find out what he has to say first. See if it adds up to what the rest have been saying.

[King Vegas]

Vegas slowly extended his arm, his hand coming in contact with the cold bottle as he received the beverage from his brother. Nodding his head in response, he slowly backpedaled to a nearby chair, slowly seating himself as he commented...

"I thank you...I also thank you for concealing the firearm as well. Would have hated to have to reveal mine as well..."

He watched the eyebrow raise on the face of his brother, as he finally found himself seated in an upright position. Slowly his left hand, his free hand, began to move within the confines of his pocket slightly, clearly an object that could be perceived as a...Could it be?...Something...Something that could possibly be mistaken for...A barrel of a gun?...Yes...The King is well aware of the need for protection after the events in question. Releasing hold of the weapon, he slowly removed his hand from his pocket, as it made it's way to the bottle, opening it as he began...

"Very well Mr. Taylor..."

Raising the bottle slowly, it found it's way to his lips as a long sip was taken from the mouth of the bottle. Seconds later his eyes squinted, as he lowered the bottle back to eye level once more, peering through the object as he nodded his head in agreement of the drink of choice. It wasn't Armadale but it'd certainly do in a pinch. Looking back up to his brother with a serious demeanor in his facial features, he leaned forward in the chair, placing the bottle on the floor slowly as he began, before raising back up to his previous upright position, his elbows resting against his knees, hands intertwined with one another...

"October 2nd...2007. The date Miss Willams and yourself were attacked within the confines of your vehicle following the final showcase of the previous season. I'm sure you remember this part yet, the events that were to follow? Surely must have escaped your consciousness."

"You were admitted to a local hospital, where our brothers and sisters all remained at your side Mr. Taylor. All remaining at your side to ensure you would survive...Praying that you would survive the onslaught that was for some reason bestowed upon you on that day. Miss Williams suffering minor injuries, but otherwise in good health and spirits...As much as she could be that is. But the attacks didn't stop there my friend...No...Quite the contrary..."

Leaning back into the seat once again, his right leg crossing over the opposite as his arm extended, his hand coming into contact with his calf as he continued on...

"Mr. Gunns was the next to fall to the onslaught. And explosion to be exact. We LOST...Mr. Gunns my friend. He is no more...I can only imagine that this particular act of violence was meant for yours truly I'm afraid. Which haunts me I must admit...No body was recovered from the rubble and ashes...Nothing...Nothing left of our brother Mr. Taylor..."

"Kevin? Nearly suffering the precise same fate as Mr. Gunns. The newly opened Black Kat Lounge In Toronto? Is no more. Ripped apart by an explosion much like the one which claimed the life of Mr. Gunns just a few weeks prior. Luckily...He survived this...Somehow...Yet how his wife was able to even move on from baring witness to such a thing is truly...Truly beyond me. Even Destiny felt the wrath of this...This...War of sorts...Finding herself being hospitalized just one day following her return to Toronto..."

"Your good friend...Mr. Crack of course fell to sniper fire if you can believe that. Taken down directly in front of the Angel Tower...Broad day light...Raven? Assaulted by a still unknown assailant in Salt Lake City, rendered hospitalized for months...Joey? Comatose just as you were I'm afraid. Even to this very day from what Laura has informed me of a few days ago. Yet she, Chris and Dice did make it out of Toronto unscathed somehow. Along with Silvia...But I'm more than positive Mr. Ca$h is suffering his own form of torture knowing his other half is stuck within the confines of some dreaded hospital for the duration of his comatose state. Damian? Missing...No word from him since...Just...Vanished...No phone calls...No attempt at contacting any of us it seems. Mr. Aries? Not a single...Solitary...Word...The same can be said of Miss Cameron as well. It seems Buck was the smart one this time around my friend...Choosing to escape the battlefield before the casualties began to pile up in numbers. You remained in your comatose state...For the duration of this month of hell for your brothers and sisters old friend..."

"And I of course..."

He paused...His vision seeming to drift off into space before continuing on a few seconds later...

"...I of course had my own run in so to speak...With one of those...Whom had waged war against our brethren..."

Releasing a long sigh, he reached down, his hands making it's way to the bottom of his shirt. Seconds later it was pulled from it's resting spot, revealing the lower half of his abdomen...Standing from his seat at this point, he continued to pull the shirt in an upward motion, seconds later revealing the bullet wound in his abdomen, near the right side...Afterwards, the same was revealed of the bullet which was lodged from his shoulder some 5 months ago before his official departure from Toronto. Lowering the shirt once more, he sat back into the chair, rubbing his right thigh as he went on...

"And of course there's this one...I'm sure you don't need confirmation on that one though do you...Quite the interesting ending to the Familia's "run" don't you think?...Quite interesting on how we were picked apart from the get go of this madness...Yet on October the 30th...You seemingly...Vanished. No signs of false entry into your quarters...No traces of foul play from the information I've been given either...Which begs the question of course...Where...Have you been...Brother? Care to shed light on the subject...?"

[m]

Ain't that a bitch? Nodding his head. Surprised? Well.. kind of. Paranoia does things to a person. Honestly believe those he considered to be his brothers and sisters to be the ones who could have pulled the trigger. Silly thing to think, eh? Just noddingh is head. Listening to Vegas' words. Cracking open that bottle. Bringing it up to his lips. He tipped his head back and took a sip. His eyes being drawn the the visible scars left from the wounds Vegas had. Tipping his head upright. Lowering the bottle. Taking in that sweet alcohol. Nodding his head. Once Vegas had finished, he began to respond...

"Hmmm... Well... I'll be damned.... For a moment... I'll be brutally honest... For a moment... I almost figured the "family" being the culprit for the attack on me... Don't know why... Hard to trust those around you when you almost had the life literally drained from your body and have no clue what happened.... No idea if there was any help... any rescue... Nothing... For a moment... I thought it may have been the very ones I held near and dear to me... Being the same ones plotting my downfall... Glad that I was mistakened on that part.... Very glad indeed...."

Turning himself slightly. Adjusting himself. He took a seat down on the couch. Sitting back. Kind of taken back from what he had heard. Someone had really had it out for The Familia it seems. Getting just about every single member of it, if not all of them. That was insane. This narrowed it down greatly on who could have been the one playing "killer." It had to be someone that knew them real well. That was for sure. We'll have to get to that later. Now? It was time for some explaining. The story he had to tell... It was going to be heard by Vegas' only. For the first time. Maybe it'll get out among the brothers and sister later. But for now? Vegas was going to be the only one who knew the true story. Looking over at his brother again. He continued...

"....Well... Now for my part... Let's see... I was shot... I blacked out... I apparently was in a coma.... But what I remember...? I woke up somewhere. Don't know where. But I woke up in some dark concrete room. Solitary confinement like place. Shit was crazy. I didn't even know what the hell to think. You know? I woke up in this room. Not knowing what the hell happened. Not knowing what you just told me. I figured I was shot and I was waking up in some weird ass place that was taking care of me. Guess I was wrong. The hospital must have fixed me up. But anyways... I'm in this room right... Shit is dark.... There was like some kind of dog door thing or something at the bottom of this door on the room. Only able to be opened from the outside. I tried to open the door. Shit wouldn't budge. Tried to open the little door thing... Shit wouldn't budge. So... this door opens up... Drops this plate of some of the most disgusting and unbareable food ever. Worse than prison food. Like they pulled it out of the dumpster or something. Warmed it. And tried to feed me. It literally looked and tasted like... I don't even know how to explain it...."

Shaking his head. He could almost taste the filth again. He brought that bottle to his lips again to wash the taste down. Lowering the bottle. He continues...

"This happened periodically... Don't know how long exactly... I lost count.... Shit felt like forever.... But that's not even the worst part... Check it... You won't even believe what I'm about to tell you... So... I'm weak.... Just woke up from a coma apparently... Barely fed.... I'm not at my best... I'm not really feeling too well... Shit is weird for me.... Then the door opens up... This dude in like a black mask and these black leather clothes show up... Speaking in some language I don't even understand... Shit sounds like German or some kind of shit... I don't know... Anyways... This fool comes in... Grabs me up... Acting like he's helping me... Then decides to attack me... Straight up whipped my ass... Talking about punching me... Kicking me... Tossing me against the concrete walls.... Like... Just really fucked me up....

After busting me up pretty good... He drags my body out of the room... Straps me up to this table... And this is where the juicy stuff begins to happen... If you have a weak stomach... I suggest you plug your ears... It's not for the feint of heart.... Anyways... I'm strapped to this table... Beaten... Confused.... Just... I don't know how to describe it.... Shit was crazy.... This fool begins to just get off on hurting me.... He keeps beating me... Dude busted out an assorted arrangement of blades... Starts slowly and carefully carving into my body.... Cutting and knicking me here and there... Just to watch the blood flow and cause pain.... That's not even the worst of it.... This fool busted out some kind of metal poles.... Had them hooked to wires... If cutting wasn't bad enough... Dude proceeds to start using electric.... Shocking my body.... Trying to fry me or something... Sending shockwave after shockwave... Filling my body full of volts of electricity.... Feeling like a damn death row inmate getting in the electric chair....

He'd do this day in and day out... Feeding me this garbage or whatever it was.... I had to eat it in order to stay alive... Or I would have starved to death... If you've noticed.... Kind of lost some weight... Kept me out of the light... Notice the pale skin... I know... I look ill... I look sick... I look like hell.... But.... This sick fuck is getting off on beating me up... Cutting me... Shocking me with electric.... Screaming at me... Talking in whatever the language it was...."

Shaking his head. He took a breath. Letting out a sigh. The burning feeling of pain returned to his body. Remembering what he had endured in that place.

"Dude kept me in this place... Repeating the same thing... Busting out some kind of whip.... Whipping my body... Cutting me with these blades of his.... Kicking my ass.... Starving... Shocking... Pretty much just fucked me up every damn day.... One day.... I guess he got bored or figured I was on my last leg.... He dropped me off in this city. Leaving me for dead.... Out of some kind of miracle though... This part is crazy too... Out of some kind of miracle... These homeless people find me right.... Took me back to their spot... Some abandoned building and shit.... Took me there.... Wrapped me up... Took care of me really.... I spent some time there.... Had to get strapped again.... Got my guns... I stuck it out there... Not know what the hell happened... Not knowing where I was again... Thought shit was a nightmare but nah... I was all fucked up... Then... As if fuckin' fate had to have it... I come across this flyer... This flyer for GCW here... I came here.... Got signed... Bunch of crazy shit I hear like I'm supposed to be dead and shit... Got my nerves rattled... Got my nerves all shot to hell... Really got me thinking about shit... And well... On the brink of insanity... I'm here now... Keeping a cool head before I flip out and start blowing cats wigs back.... Went back to the homeless and got them set up nicely with some of the money I had... I owed them cats my life... And well... Here I am... Fighting that rat bastard Joe Bruiser again... Like shit is back to normal... Like the fucking events never happened.... Like this shit was all a fucking dream... Even though I know for a goddamn fact that that shit that happened to me was fucking real..."

Excessive vulgar language. Tone it down. Calm down. Cool your nerves. Keep level headed. You're letting that anger and hatred build. Tone it down. Take a drink. Let Vegas get a word in....

[King Vegas]

Speechless...His efforts to respond to the vivid descriptions of torture passing through his ear were futile. Though he himself had heard of such things being done to others, he'd never fathom one of the ones closest to him would suffer that sadistic treatment themselves. This information confused him to no end even more so, further contemplating the reasons behind anyone wanting to engage in the type of madness his brethren had suffered through over the months passed. Only two words escaped his lips, muttered underneath his breath...

"...My...God..."

Leaning forward once again, the fingers from both of his hands intertwining with one another as they seemed to hover above the very top of the bottle sitting idly on the floor in front of him. It has difficult for him to even look Mr. Taylor in the eye after hearing what he had been through. But it also brought up the question of, what if there were others...Others whom had been inducted into their "family" over the years...Somewhere...Suffering all the same?

"...This could be bigger...Than we initially thought it to be my friend. Much bigger. *Sigh* We should get in contact with the others as soon as possible. Ensure their safety because I truly believe...This ordeal is far from over. My guess would be...It is only the beginning..."

[m]

"...Only the beginning....?"

This news brought a smirk to his lips. You would think he would have had a different reaction. But no. Not him. He had a smirk on his lips. He liked that news. He would like nothing more for this not to be over. Not because his brothers and sisters to be hurting. No. That's not the case. He wanted revenge. Payback's a bitch. He wanted to find the person who came so close to killing him. He wanted to find the people who had even got the thought in their mind of harming Kenisha. And now, he wanted to find the bastards who were trying to kill his "family." He wanted to find them. He wanted to personally be the one with gun in his hand. Stuffing it in their jaw. Beg. Beg for mercy. Beg for your mothafuckin' life. Only to be denied the privelege of living and having their brains blown out the back of their scalp. Yes. A smirk on his lips. Revenge in his mind. Finally a step closer. He began to nod his head.

"Yeah. I think it would be most wise to find the others. Gather our family back together. Make sure everyone is safe and everyone is alright. If this isn't over yet... We'll be in need of getting ourselves prepared for the second battle.... This... this second war...."

[King Vegas]

"Hmmpf..."

Why was he not surprised to see that reaction. He knew the man far too well. He was heavily anticipating this second stage of "war" as he referred to it. And why shouldn't he? Vengeance is best served cold they say, and if this situation didn't warrant vengeance being taken into their own hands, then nothing could. Suddenly the question arose with his own thought process. Did he wish for the same? Did he wish to snuff out human lives with the flick of his trigger finger, leaving their bodies void of all human life?...

Normally...He wouldn't. Normally, he'd enlist the assistance of others to perform such tasks but...A few of those gentlemen in question were no longer around to carry out such missions for him. This would require him being much more hands on he knew. Stepping in from the shadows, and undoubtedly partaking in the "festivities" soon to come. They were many in numbers yes, but as of this moment in time, they were in no position to wage a war of their own...Cross knew bits and pieces...The five month hiatus from the world of professional wrestling was spent acquiring just that...Bits & Pieces of information. Some useful, some of it nothing more than rumor....Myth...They weren't ready to begin inflicting their acts of revenge upon anyone...As much as they would deserve to do so. As much as it would serve the perpetrators for the things they had done in past days...They weren't ready...

...Yet...

"...I noticed Mr. Arielle is in fact here among us. Nice to see him landing on his feet as well. The others? I've only spoken with Laura briefly...She herself has spoken with Kevin over the past few weeks, but...There's been no word from Dice during that time. Strange...Chri$ isn't returning anyones calls...Silvia? The same...Raven? Vanished without a trace...I fear the worse for my old friend...We seem to be dwindling in numbers before we even begin old friend. Resourceful ones such as Mr. Juarez & Mr. Aries would be most beneficial right now....*Sigh*...We're in no position right now to wage anything...Much less...A "Silent War"..."

[m]

"I've heard from Ms. Wallace that Arielle was supposed to be here. The same was said about you. I can see now the she wasn't lying about you. But I have yet to see him since my arrival here. Maybe it's just that he's around when I'm not or something. But I haven't seen him since I've arrived. If he's around though, and escaped from our enemy, then that's atleast some good news. Good to hear the others have atleast been checked up on. Crazy how this thing happened... For a moment... Almost began to believe that we were untouchable...."

Shaking his head. Lifting the bottle up to his lips. Taking a drink from that sweet alcohol. Lowering the bottle from his lips. He knew that not one single person was immune to death. Not one single person could outrun the reaper. They can run. But no one in this world, no matter how much of a "God" you claim yourself to be, no one in this world was above death.

"Guess I was foolish in making such an assumption. No one is untouchable. Only higher on the scale of being harmed or not. But no one in this world isn't unreachable. You just need the proper planning and the right set up to get to certain people. And these enemies of ours... They know us. They know much more than the average person. Yet, they are like fuckin' ghosts when we try to find information. I've looked. I've asked around. I've tried to find something. But I've come across little to nothing to figure out who it was. Everything being labeled as "freak accidents." Pfft... I tell ya.... Shits insane. We'll need to be better prepared. See if we can get some of family back together as soon as possible."

Pausing for a moment. He knew he had his own people who he could ask to offer a helping hand. Those so called "thugs" and "gangstas" that people would not think they were any different than the rest. Oh. He knew some. He knew some who were not your average, everyday typical "thug." He knew some people who were "seasoned vets" in this line of work. Nodding his head.

"I'll see what I can do about helping find the troops. I've noticed that Jay's boy Jin Remmy seems to have made his way to this company. I'm sure he could scoop up some heat from back home. That's his area of expertise. That's how Jay met the dude. Selling top quality guns out the back of a van in St. Louis. I'm sure that Remmy could gather something good to get us prepared. Need to find the whereabouts of Jay himself. As well as Remmy's boy Young Felony. I don't know much about the dude, but Jay had a lot of faith in those two. Said they were some of the best "soldiers" you could find on the street. I know they wouldn't mind helping out the "family." Gather our resources. Be ready for what lies ahead. When the time comes... We'll be ready this time..."

[King Vegas]

He nodded his head listening to his brother's words. Indeed they'd need as much help as they could possibly muster just to get things started. He knew Mr. Taylor had his resources as well as back up as far as getting things "done", as did he. Problem was, many of his were either gone from existence or nowhere to be found as of late.

"...Very well. Not like we can refuse help at this point anyway. We'd be wise to utilize every little bit that comes our way in the coming months. I guess we should at least reunite with the others we DO know to be in the city as of now though. Laura should have arrived this morning as well and...Well...I have a few choice words for Mr. Arielle of course. I mean really...Running off with the fiance' of one of your comrades? Tasteless..."

Reaching down towards the bottle once more, taking it up into his grasp, he arose from the seat as his opposite hand removed the lightly tinted glasses from his face while speaking...

"Who would have thought we'd find ourselves here way back in New York...?Hmmpf...Untouchable you say? I have to admit...There were times...When it seemed to be so. But I gather these partially unknown enemies of ours believe otherwise and have every intention of proving that theory..."

Once again the bottle was raised to his lips, allowing for his words to linger a bit...The word "partially" more so than any other. Would Mr. Taylor catch it or would it slip by him in his state of paranoia...?

[m]

"Heh... Never really thought it'd turn out like it did man. Not for a second. Could not imagine we would be where we are today. Back then... We was just a bunch of people with one common goal. Control and conquer the wrestling business. But goddamn did we grow to be so much more. We've done some damage out here man. We really have. Straight own this business with an iron fist regardless of what anyone says. There's no need to prove anything more. They just need to know the name and it's a done deal. We've done so much work... Done so much in this business... I would have never imagined we would be where we are today. We done came up from a long time coming man...."

Lifting that bottle to his lips again. Taking a quick drink from it. Something seemed to bother him though. What was it? Arching an eyebrow as he drank. He began to lower the bottle. It finally registered in his mind what it was. Thought it'd slip by him? Ought to know better than that brother.

"Wait a second... You know something more you ain't telling me... Don'tcha...?"

Turning to face Vegas. Tipping his head slightly as he looked at his brother from across the room. There's something there. Withholding information. Was it a wise choice to play with the words you picked? I wouldn't have suggested it. Not with the way he had been since he got here. Don't let that paranoia get the best of you. He didn't say he was the one who tried to kill you. He simply said the enemy was "partially unknown."

"Spill it.... What do you know...?"

[King Vegas]

"What do I know...? Hm...More than I care to old friend, more than I care to."

He paused briefly, turning his attention to a wall located on the far side of the locker room as he continued, almost in a trance like gaze...

"I know of at least one person here and employed by GCW that has inside and potentially essential information pertaining to the events in question...I've spoken with them briefly, yet never divulged my true intentions in...Congregating with them somewhat..."

"I know that there have been lies fed to us all through the media pertaining to the passing of one of our comrades in arms during the past year...I also know that there is at least ONE person, NOT here in GCW mind you, that is withholding information which could be vital in solving that mystery itself..."

"I know that...Those who have waged this war against us know enough about our family to complete their ambitious acts of destruction if they see fit to...They're cunning in their actions, secretive in their assaults, and thorough with their advancements...Almost a mirror image of what the Familia has grown to be actually...

"But...I also know that...To get to the true facts of all of this my friend...It'll take a hell of a lot of resources...Man power...Street work...As well as...Finances...The latter I can handle alone if need be. But this...This will be our most difficult task as of yet. Others may speak of this but...There is only one unit which can bring it to fruition. Order...Must be restored..."