Zeroth Directive

Archive II

The Bellone Family staked a foothold in Nuova Volsinii through the Saluzzo Vino winery. Soon after Demetri Bellone and Alberto's deal, Alberto was arrested, and control of Saluzzo Vino fell into Bellone's hands. He has since made Saluzzo Vino stronger, establishing a dominant position in the local wine market following the Kazimierz-sponsored Red Wine Championship, and demonstrating the ability to compete with international brands from outside Siracusa. In addition to wine, the Bellone Family has also invested in various industries in Nuova Volsinii, which are also growing at a breakneck pace. Although public data is not available, it is estimated that they are bringing the Bellone Family roughly the same revenue as Saluzzo Vino, perhaps even more. Yet there are also issues: most of these investments are in traditional mafia industries such as restaurants, bars, hotels, and moneylending—rarely involving the production of physical goods—inevitably leading to speculation that the Bellone Family is going back to the old ways in Nuova Volsinii. Furthermore, while Bellone's new investments are heavily staffed with Bellone members, Saluzzo Vino maintains a strong Saluzzo presence. Even setting aside potential problems caused by mafia members in corporate leadership, one cannot help but feel concerned as to whether the Saluzzo members truly accept Bellone leadership, and whether this arrangement will impact Rhodes Island's partnership with the Bellone Family. An HR operator made a secret visit to Saluzzo Vino with these concerns in mind. 'Signor Bellone? He's a good man! 'We're still called Saluzzo Vino, aren't we? He said Saluzzo's only working with Bellone on a temporary basis. We're still Saluzzo, of course, and he even praised us for our loyalty, saying he was honored to be working with a famiglia like ours that respects tradition! 'Of course, we're in Nuova Volsinii now, and Signor Bellone told us to respect City Hall's policies, work hard, and follow the rules of the New Urban Management Act. I can tell you it took some getting used to. Back in the day, whenever I heard my terminal ring, the first thing I did wasn't pick up the call, but check my knife and gun. But I'm not even doing any brawling these days. I work fixed hours and go home for dinner with my wife and kids. I've got to admit, it's not such a bad feeling after all. 'Oh, of course I'm still part of the famiglia. We're all waiting for Don Saluzzo to get out of prison! I even asked Signor Bellone if there was a way to get him out. He said it would be hard to get his sentence reduced under the New Urban Management Act, but he would pull a few strings and make things more comfortable for him. Sure enough, when I visited the Don a couple of days ago, he had a cell to himself and seemed to have gotten a little plumper. I'm so grateful to Signor Bellone! 'I wasn't able to talk to the Don too much in the allotted time, so I just told him about how things had been going with us. He didn't say anything, but ended the visit with a smile. I'm sure he's very grateful to Signor Bellone too!' The HR operator could not help but feel that something was not quite right. Seeing the Perro's bright smile, however, he could only follow Alberto Saluzzo's lead and smile back.

Archive III

We are well aware that Demetri Certaldo was not groomed to become the next Don of the Bellone Family. His father had held an advisor position in the Bellones, and when he was killed in a mafia struggle, young Demetri was taken in by the Family and raised alongside Operator Vigil. This sort of arrangement is in line with what we know about Siracusan mafia tradition: having core members live together helps instill loyalty in those pegged for important Family positions in the future. Demetri quickly accepted his role as Leontuzzo's advisor, taking care of his daily needs and teaching him everything he knew about the mafia, business, and fighting—essentially grooming the boy four years his junior to become the perfect leader, one who could take care of every member of the Family and protect their interests. This should have ensured a smooth transition of power to Leontuzzo, until Bernardo's views on the Family began to change and he brought Lavinia—Operator Penance—into the Bellone Family. Under Lavinia's influence, Leontuzzo began to deviate from the path that Demetri had set for him. This was seen as a regrettable development, but an understandable one: for Leontuzzo, the scope of the 'family' had grown from a single Family to what is today all of Nuova Volsinii, and perhaps eventually all of Siracusa. The rules of the Family that he used to value had became the law and justice that Lavinia upheld. Again, Operator Bellone's statement here seemed to omit many details, which we do not feel the need to delve deeper into, but there was a question we could not help but ask regarding Siracusan mafia tradition: is the Family's advisor normally expected to take care of the Don's daily needs? Bellone did not answer. We did, however, receive a valuable reference from another 'party concerned': 'Most advisors don't, but Demetri and I grew up together. He was a few years older, and he was used to taking care of me, while I was used to being taken care of. Or maybe... he was already showing his potential to become the Don, by seeing me as his famiglia and finding it perfectly natural that he should take care of me. He used to tell me that a Don should take care of his famiglia. I think he's doing a fine job of it.'

Archive IV

The announcement of the amendment to the New Urban Management Act sent shock waves throughout Nuova Volsinii. Most heavily impacted were the foreign corporations in the involved industries, whose stakeholders and investors expressed their dissatisfaction to City Hall. City Hall stood firm, however, and as a result some corporations have begun to adjust their business strategies based on the amendment's provisions. It was met with a generally positive response from local enterprises, who were long clamoring for its policies, as well as the general populace of Nuova Volsinii. Although some have noted that the amendment represents a form of protectionism, which could cause Siracusa's mafia traditions to once again rear their heads in the guise of local enterprises. The full impact of the amendment on Nuova Volsinii remains to be seen, and we are keeping a close eye on further developments. —Central Journal, International Edition When Bellone finally stood before Signora Sicilia, he felt nothing but fear. It was not her power that he feared. On the contrary, when he stood before her and saw her face clearly for the first time, he saw her sagging cheeks and sunken eye sockets, and the spots on her skin that not even heavy powdering could disguise. That was when he realized that the legends of Signora Sicilia he was so familiar with took place sixty years ago, and that the legendary matriarch had already entered her twilight years. Her gaze was still strong, her movements elegant and confident, and her words soft yet impossible to refute or defy. The authority of Siracusa was still concentrated in her, but this only served to amplify his fear: all this power was centered on her, yet she was merely mortal. The order that she represented, the influence she wielded over the many Siracusan famiglie, and the deterrence her presence represented to other countries would all inevitably vanish upon her death. When the time came, would the famiglie still sit together and negotiate in the Grey Hall to resolve their conflicts? Or would Siracusa fall into chaos and desolation again? 'I don't give a damn what happens to Siracusa after I die,' Signora Sicilia said as she ascended the steps of her manor. Her steps were slow, and seemingly steady, but she grabbed Bellone's arm with such strength that all he could say in response was, 'Please do not mention that word, Signora. You still have many years ahead of you.' 'The only people who love to bring up that word are the young who've never known death and the old for whom death is near. I know my own body best,' she smiled. 'The future does not belong to me. Whether it belongs to you—all of you—depends on you. Your idea is interesting, and you have shown respect by coming to see me before you act. Go. Go and try it out in Nuova Volsinii.' His fear prevented Bellone from answering, but in that instant the faint notions in his mind became concrete and firm. He had wanted someone to show him a path he could simply follow. Now, he had to become the one leading the way, the one who saw it through to the end. He must build a new order. There is little time left. For him, for them, and for Siracusa.

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