11/25/2024 Kick Recap - "From Zero"

Lang gets a text from Gigi asking for a 1 on 1 on Wednesday when she's back. He stops by the food court for a snack, and then his apartment to gather up the guns he agreed to give back. Lang calls Saab, who isn't awake yet, and then calls Luciano to meet, but they're not ready yet. Lang goes to kill time at the Tuner shop and tests out a fancy old 4 seater. Saab calls, Lang picks him up and they gather all the guns and equipment to trade back to Luciano and Harry. Luciano calls to meet at the top of the big Cypress building, so Lang and Saab drive over.

North and South Meeting

Luciano and Harry ask if Lang changed his mind or met the agreement they decided on (before Coco shot him). Lang tells them he has the equipment in the car, Luciano is willing to give the money that Lang wanted in washed. Lang details the borders of the North Side, and that everyone he wants is already bought in. He wants equal respect across the board, including discussion over new buy ins. Harry and Luciano take a quick sidebar, but return with some disagreements. Harry doesn't think that they should fight each others wars, nor should the group for cargo ship. Lang tries to tell him that it's best they work together, else they will end up shooting at each other. They agree, so they decide to send 3 from each side. Lang doesn't want people to come over time, whoever joins at the start is all he wants. Harry asks for whatever Lang wants, Lang tells them he doesn't want anything other than the 2nd satellite that Teddy should still have. Harry asks if the armoury exists within the northern borders, but Lang calls it the Embassy, since it's out of the border and neutral territory. Lang gives his list: Martin, Larry, Skipper, CJ, Bubbles, Liya, Sophia, and Yuno (who should be allowed to do whatever he wants). Luciano proposes Gigi for Sophia, Lang thinks that Gigi is so essential to the South that he cannot have them fail without her. They argue about it, Harry reminds him that people will die based on what they choose next, hopefully Lang can respect that. They exchange the weapons and leave.

Lang and Saab take a lap for some food and notice a cop checkpoint outside Snr Buns. Ilya pulls up to Lang outside the Forge and has a short chat about the decision of things and where Ilya fits best. Lang thinks that Ilya belongs with the South because they need a soldier like him. Saab checks in with Lang to see where his head is at, Lang calls Martin to check in. Martin has a white card, an Ammunation on his HQ, and reveals new information about the cargo and the ability to call it in on demand for different equipment. Martin is going to drop off the rest of 404 to chat with Lang while he assists Andi with something, Saab says he's processing everything but is excited for the new changes.

Liya arrives and meets Saab, Lang asks what she knows, but she wants the full recap so she doesn't get confused. Lang gives her the full pitch, explaining that he wants to lead in his own way. Lang clarifies that if she were to join them, she has to leave everything behind because he plans to start fresh. Liya wants to join him, so Lang lays out the common ideals he wants to have between North and South. Liya is concerned with how she is treated for leaving, but Lang reminds her that it should all work out.

Saab's Buy In

Lang and Saab head to the bank to grab some cash, Martin calls to meet over by the Forge. Saab grabs 25k, Lang wants to talk to Sophia first, so he delays Martin until she gives her opinion. Lang and Saab return to the Forge, Lang tells him about the buy in process and the weight it carries. He reminds Saab of the tough times, and the honor that comes with joining Lang and Cypress as a whole. Saab agrees to join, and promises a vow to Cypress, handing over the 25k. Lang has Saab throw a bullet into the lava pit, should he ever want to leave, he'll have to go fetch the bullet.

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Sophia arrives at the Forge to get caught up and give Lang her perspective on the shift in leadership. Sophia asks about who Saab is, joking with Lang about him being a knock-off Donnie. Lang tells her about his issues with the 5 Don system, and that he preferred to take on a new leadership system with him at the top, alone. He gives her the parameters if she were to join them in the north, but she asks about what role he imagines for her. Lang wants a smaller tight-knit group, and people can be more intimate and closer to. Sophia is surprised that he would choose her over someone like Gigi, and reminds Lang of his words carrying weight beyond his own expectations, referring to Frank from Frank's. Lang admires her work ethic, her energy, and has valued whatever bond they've built so far. Sophia wants to speak to the rest of the Dons first before she comes to a decision, Lang agrees.

Lang and Saab discuss where they think Sophia is leaning as they wait for Martin and the rest of 404 to arrive. Martin, Skipper, Bubbles, and CJ arrive and give the temperature since they last spoke. Nobody has questions, so Lang tells them about the official list and what he discussed with the Dons already. They plan on leaving everything they have behind with Cypress, and rebuilding from zero.

Lang leads them across from the Forge to show them their brand new warehouse (I knew it). Everyone is excited to see the new warehouse, Lang wants them to have every operation in this warehouse, regardless of how silly it might seem. Every Friday everyone will kick up 100k a week, and they will decide what to spend that money on. Martin asks about Larry, Lang says he'll worry about Larry case by case. Martin suggests for it to be 50k a week instead since they have to start new operations, Lang agrees. Lang reminds them that they are required to tell the Dons of the south that they will be joining the north. As they leave, Martin agrees to sell his southern warehouse, but wants to bring a couple bits of furniture.

Lang tells Saab about this show he's been watching, The Adventures of Walter and Teddy in the Wild West (og and Saab have been playing WildRP). Lang considers calling Tony to meet, Lang wants to get a new car first (Albany Franken Stange). They stop by the Tuner shop and Lang calls a salesman down to make the deal. Tony calls to catch up, Lang will arrange to meet him soon. The car salesman arrives and makes the deal, Lang pays 390k for the new car. Lang and Saab head over the the Legion Square garage patio to meet with Tony, Lang is concerned that Tony's going to want to join.

Tony Meeting

Tony arrives in a red bandana, but quickly takes it off. He tells them about his girlfriend and how she bought him an amazing sex toy from Japan. Tony really missed being in Los Santos, especially after his nose surgery (deviated septum recovery). Lang asks what Tony has been told from Cypress so far. Tony is surprised that Tommy was killed, Coco was killed, Locco was killed, more than half of 404 was killed, and that Sakura wanted to kill everyone. Gigi told him about the 24/7 Incident, and Tony asks Lang if he really thought Arush was trying to kill him - Lang believes it. Lang asks about Gigi, Tony tells them about her expressing doubts about the southern leadership. Tony suggests that this decision should have been voted on, and that's why they picked this system originally. Lang agrees that he should have presented this plan, if things were being handled logically. Lang tells Tony that he was worried about his return, knowing that he would want to join him because of their intense and storied past. Tony wants to come to the north, but agrees that his role as a bridge would be better. Lang and Saab think Tony would fit perfectly as a "Lias-Don", Tony thinks it's a lot of pressure but he can handle it. Tony jokes about leaving Lang and not seeing him again, and gets clarification of what the 'North' is.

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Lang and Saab head back to North Cypress to meet with Martin, Bubbles, and Skipper. They get keys cut for the new warehouse, and discuss what they learned at the meeting with the southerners. Martin says that he tried to explain things at the meeting, but the Dons arrived late and stated more contradicting things. Lang reminds everyone that the south cannot fail, and he refuses to take anymore people than who they have. Martin tells them that Donnie is about to die, Lang expresses concern, but stands firmly on why he chose this select group. Lang notes that Martin is the only person next on the structure if it forms up. They agree to use the million dollars that Lang is getting to reimburse the group for washers and other supplies to kick start the warehouse. Lang takes them to get added to the panel, and then leaves with Saab to get his new car.

They run into Frank near the apartments, Lang tells him to get a job at Frank's. Lang calls Clark to check in, telling him to do his job and keep his crew together, but Clark shares that the Dons are not making it easy. Lang reminds Saab to get acquainted with the northerners, and leaves him with the new car. Lang heads to bed.

Offline Lang

Lang meets with Harry, Luciano, and Tony behind the Cypress warehouse to receive the million dollars they promised and finalize the terms they agreed to. Lang questions if they are communicating things correctly to the rest of the crew, Tony tells Lang that he killed Donnie right before this meeting. Donnie didn't think this was the Cypress he bought into, so he decided to be blooded out by choice. Tony tried to explain the situation several times to Donnie alone, but he couldn't seem to understand, so Tony agreed to kill him. Tony continues to share his thoughts on being a bridge between the groups, Lang asks for clarification on if they are unified or divided. Luciano and Harry agree to be divided with a clearer line or else this entire adventure would seem useless. Luciano and Harry agree to let Tony do whatever he wants, Lang asks about the Gigi issues, all of them are surprised since they checked in with her many times. Lang stresses that they be very clear about their communications because more people might die, when they don't have to. Tony says some ominous stuff that confuses everyone until they leave the meeting. Lang runs back over to clarify that he wanted to make the money simpler for Gigi, but she fought against it, they all agree.

Tony whispers to meet up with Lang after, they both head out and meet by the docks. Tony asks Lang what they should do, now that the bridge role has been removed. Tony stirs a bit by telling Lang that Harry wouldn't help him if he was getting shot at. Tony tells Lang that Harry said he was a manipulator, a gaslighter, and that he's petty. Lang considers meeting Luciano one on one, but Lang spirals into giving up on Cypress as a whole. Tony is down to join the North, Lang tells him that nobody else is allowed to come. Lang promises that if there is a path to bring Octo along in the future, then he'll agree to take it. Lang is still mad about Harry, Tony continues to stir. They agree to talk tomorrow about how they'll get Tony to join the north.

Lang meets with Clark by the ocean to chat about Harry and Luciano ruining Cypress. Lang tells Clark about Harry not willing to help Lang if he was dying, and what Harry called Lang relayed through Tony. He tells Clark that Tony is joining the north tomorrow, and that will start the crumbling. Lang confirms that Clark believes that every serious choice they made as Dons, they did equally. Clark says that he understands Lang's perspective, but that he's trying his best to keep the south alive. They agree to keep this conversation off the record, and are hopeful for the north and south survival.

Lang heads to bed.