From the start of this round we have all been watching to see who will take the top spots in the country. Who will become one of the six State Dons and the infamous Nation Don. And now it’s happened. One by one they have slowly been filled with the criminals that did the most work they could, in the shortest time. So the positions are full, nothing new there. Except one thing. As you look through these 7 people they all have something in common. One very striking and potentially dangerous thing. They are all part of the same Family, The Vanguard. Now it has happened in the past that crew members have seen each other at the top spots, its even been know for half the spots to be taken by crew members. But for one crew to reign so highly over the world we live in, that’s unheard of. Alas it was a hot story so an article had to be written about it. I thought something this big was going to be pursued by our leader in chief editor TrevorPhilips, but after discussion he wished for someone outside of The Vanguard to report on this to maintain our [The Buzz] neutrality.
So it was left to me. Me. On just my second week here at the Buzz I had to interview the six State Dons and Nation Don. Right then, where to start. I tried to get in contact with them individually but each time I hit a wall. When I wrote to them I had no reply and when I phoned it would just ring through; or one of their associates would answer telling me they were out of the office and to ring back at a later date. I thought that was it, they wouldn’t get back to me. Obviously they didn't want to talk to the Buzz about their promotions and this rise in power that came from them. Until late one night about 11:30PM I received a phone call from the Nation Don Grimes himself. He told me to meet at his compound in exactly 24 hours, where I will sit with him and the six State Dons. He told me to come alone and obviously bring no weapons but maybe wear some protection. Before I could reply, ask a question, or even thank him the phone was cut off.
Jump to 24 hours later and I'm driving up to the compound of the Nation Don Grimes. My palms are sweaty on the steering wheel of the Bootleggers Buzz Company Duesenberg, that I had twist the arm of TrevorPhilips to let me borrow so at least I didn't have to pull up to a multi million dollar Family compound in my rust bucket Phaeton. I’m sweating for two reasons, the first and most obvious is simple nerves of doing this interview and the power of the men I’m about to sit around a table with. The second being that I’m not used to wearing a heavy ballistic vest over a full suit, and it’s making me bloody hot. His compound is in the middle of nowhere, a fair drive from my apartment, in a location he explicitly told me not to share with anyone else. The first thing I was greeted with when I reached his gates was a barrel of a gun pointed at me as I was asked what I was doing there. After a few minutes I was given the go ahead but not before the car was searched inside and out; whilst I was patted down quite intensely. I was very glad that I hadn’t hid my Colt under the drivers seat like I thought of doing, what would I have even done with it anyway?! It was another few minute drive to get from the gate to his house, with guards dotted along the way, in which I had time prepare myself for what I was about to do.
As I pulled up to to the house I was greeted by Spartacus, one of The Vanguards handful of Legendary Dons, he helped me out of the car as another guard jumped in and drove it into one of the garages. As we walked into Grimes' humble abode Spartacus explained to me that as I was early I would have to wait a few minutes in the drawing room before going through. I sat down and panned around looking at all the things he had on his walls and shelves. Old memorabilia from times past, documents of old businesses he once owned, photos with former crew members those left and those fallen, one great one of him and RappaT who's murderer they are still searching for. As I studied each team I couldn’t help but think that this man had achieved so much already, what more could he do? Then the door opened and in walked Spartacus. They were ready.
I was shown into the meeting room. It was a long room with a table stretching from one end to the other, I wondered how many meetings and discussions had been had here. The table was set up for this meeting perfectly. At one end, seven chairs with one at the head and three either side. At the other, one single chair with a pen and paper, a jug of water and a large glass of whisky. It must have been only seconds after I sat down that the doors opened and in they walked, the seven most powered gangsters in America, well for the moment at least.
After they had sat and were settle we began talking, first off just trivial things like how they were and that. They then asked me if I was alright and how I found the drive. ‘Long and terrifying’ was what I wanted to say, but ‘absolutely fine' was what came out of my mouth. Then the polite chit chat moved onto the topic of the interview quite naturally so I decided to take the chance and dive in. ‘How long was this in the planning? This ultimate power over the country? Or was it even planned at all?’ I asked. They seemed taken back by my directness. There was an awkward silence which was eventually broken by Grimes. 'Yes it was a goal of mine to make Nation Don for the first time’ he said and with that the ball was rolling. ‘When I was Respectable Don I still had no interest in becoming the State Don. When I realised I wasn't that far off and had the possibility to get there, I discussed it with Abonzo and I went for it.’ Zohra uttered whilst leaning back on his chair looking up at the ceiling. Ragabonz then added ‘About a month ago we realised it was achievable and it became a goal of ours’.
‘So now you’re as high as you can go at the moment, what next? What are you’re goals now?’ I inquired. 'Now I reached my initial goals I have even more time to spend with crew members, helping gaining our wealth and remain [with] our spot for as long as that's possible’ thebunts announced 'One other goal I had after I reached State Don was to host some good parties. The first one was a big hit in my opinion.’ Zohra agreed 'bringing back my old daily bust parties. I hope to bring back more communication between the community that way’. ’Now my goal is just to collect much gold as possible.’ ATATURK chuckled which got everyone laughing. ‘So obviously with this power I can imagine your crew is under more threat, or do you think it will make people hold off?’ I asked the group which now I could feel had loosened up. 'Ofcourse it does’ said ATATURK, ‘We've got a huge target on our backs now’ proclaimed Zohra, Ragabonz finished with ‘with great power comes great risk’.
We moved on to talk about what the direct perks were from being a State or Nation Don for those that didn’t know. They explained that as a State Don you get a cut from all Organised Crime that happens in your state, also gun and protection sales and other resources. As well as that you get your own bullet factory that can be accessed only from your state and you can choose three people to be your bodyguards. Nation Don gets the same but can have five bodyguards and can get bullets from his private factory shipped to him anywhere in the country.
After some more chit chat about the perks of where they now weere we got on to the topic of the Alliance War that was currently going on up and down the country. I asked if they felt that with the power they now have could they potentially put a stop to it. ‘I really don't think there is an end to this war.’ replied Klutch, which Anactoria then followed with 'The Vanguard have no place in their war at this time in my opinion.’ firmly backed up by Grimes who said 'we have no intention of joining either side’. The next question I wanted to be careful with, I didn’t what to upset anyone. So as delicately as I could I asked ‘Now we all now nothing in this life lasts forever. If, or should I say when, the day comes that Grimes dies, have you thought of who would take his place. Grimes stared at me puzzled with my question about him as if he wasn’t there but then as the other six started to shuffle in there seats he realised that had to have thought of it. What they will have to do when the day comes. ‘If Grimes would be killed I am pretty sure that all of us will be taken down’ explained thebunts, ‘[But] If it would be so that only he gets the bullet, in my opinion Ragabonz should then get it.’ suggested Zohra. ‘The one and only Ragabonz should take the throne.’ Klutch agreed. I looked at Ragabonz for some response to these comments, ‘It is highly unluckly grimes will die and we will live, however I believe I have enough experience to rank to Nation Don should grimes die.’. I felt that question might have touched a nerve. Let’s wrap this up, I thought to myself.
'Finally what do you have to say to people that are out there thinking of over throwing you as State and Nation Dons?’ I tenderly asked but before anyone could think of a response Grimes slammed his fist on the table and snarled ‘bring it’. With that he stood up and left leaving me with the six State Dons. But this was perfect I had a question to ask them but didn’t know if I could or not with Grimes there. Yet with him gone this was the time. Should I? Shouldn’t I? What’s the worst that could happen, just go for it. ‘Would any of you think of over throwing Grimes as Nation Don to get the spot yourself?’ As soon as the words left my mouth I knew that was a mistake. They looked at me then panned round each other then back to me, yet again in silence. The crew boss Ragabonz took it upon himself to answer very simply and bluntly, ‘never’. Then back to silence and stares. It was time to leave. Now.
After downing my whisky and bidding them farewell I was escorted back to my car by Spartacus. Whilst walking back through the large house and garden I asked him what he thought on the matter, being so close to the last State Don spot but having it taken from him. He quiet selflessly said ‘I am happy for the crew to make it’. As I sat in the car and he leaned down to say goodbye we shook hands. As we did I asked him very quietly if he ever thought of taking a State Don spot from one of his crew members. At this moment his grip on my hand increased and the movement stopped. He stood there staring down at me, just like the others did in the board room. "Stop asking that stupid question!” I thought to myself. ‘No, never thought of that, if they die I will die too’ he said back to me, and with that he let go.
It wasn’t until I got home and was going through my notes that I truly took in what I had done that night. Where I had gone. Who I had met with. What we had discussed. The adrenaline had started to where off and I realised how tired I was. I could hear the sound of the birds waking up and the sun light coming through my window as it rose its big red face over New York. As most of the city was rising for work, I was just about to dose off; after one hell of an evening.
