Jump to content
HighTV

The Rooks

Recommended Posts

Separate Paths

(From the perspective of Vlad Suskini)

         With Ash Volkov leaving the family, Mike Laurie stepped up and reached out to other gangs in the city in hope to fix any kind of shaky relationship the Rooks had with them for various reasons. Mike reached out to Otti after hearing GD’s relations with Triads had come to an end and they were starting to hit Triads and Irish. After forming this what felt like a very healthy relationship with GD, [REDACTED] held a meeting where [REDACTED] told the family not to help GD in fighting Triads and Irish as [REDACTED] wanted the family to stay low and out of the war. Some of the family disagreed with [REDACTED]’s decision to stay out of the war and a meeting was set up by Mike to talk about this big decision amongst most of the family that was helping GD in the war prior to [REDACTED]’s decision. After everyone shared their opinions a shocking decision was made. Mike Laurie made the decision that he was going to leave the family along with his brother Anthony Laurie and go join GD to help them in the war. Shortly after, Jake Wilby and Jay Russo followed Mike and left the family to join GD to help fight in the war. This was huge as Mike was helping build good relations with other gangs in the city and was trying to help get the Rooks back to one of the strongest points they have been in the last couple of months. Mike, Jake, Jay, and Anthony will all be missed and everything they’ve done for the family will not be forgotten.

MikeMeeting.thumb.png.f55cdc6502d203fd45f2ece0ada7337a.png

(The Rooks meeting to discuss everyone’s thoughts of sitting out of the war.)

 

A Path Towards Success

         After a few people left the family, the Rooks needed to regroup and have a meeting to discuss their current situation with Del Perro and what the future holds. The Rooks were holding Del Perro without having any issues for a few weeks and it looked like it was going to stay that way until the Rooks discovered that the Triads had spread influence out of nowhere one day. Everyone in the family questioned why the Triads took Del Perro until they had a run-in with ex Rook and current Triad, Tyler Rogers. Tyler explained that he thought the Rooks were helping in the war and caught people he thought were still associated with the Rooks on a comped GD radio frequency. [REDACTED] asked Tyler if the Triads would stay out of Del Perro if the Rooks stayed out of the war and he agreed and said he would spread the message to the other Triads. [REDACTED] set-up a meeting at the Jetty so that they could discuss Del Perro and their current relation status with the Triads. Charlie, Yousef, Vlad, [REDACTED], [REDACTED], and an old familiar face that Vlad hasn’t seen in a while, Jerzy Mceden showed up to the Jetty. As discussions were going on a Triad colored Rapid GT Cabrio pulled up into the Jetty shocking the Rooks. It was Keavin Kong and a friendly conversation occurred and ended with him agreeing on the terms that Tyler agreed upon with [REDACTED]. It was then that neutrality was recognized between the Rooks and the Triads. The meeting ended with [REDACTED] organizing schemes to obtain packed money to launder and take back Del Perro.

RooksMeeting.thumb.png.d8bbd2a9af16dedca6d7685b37ff7b40.png

(The Rooks meeting to discuss business.)

Running Operations

         With the Triads agreeing to back off Del Perro that was a green light for the Rooks to start taking Del Perro back. The Rooks have always had good relations with their pharmacist in Del Perro but the Triads spreaded a ton of influence to the money launderers. This led to a lot of work needing to be done if the Rooks wanted to take Del Perro back. The Rooks would try to do a bank here and there depending on how many people were in town but a big contributor was robbing stores. One night a high-minded member for the Rooks, [REDACTED], met up with Vlad, Nigo, Randy, and Derek, the newest addition to the family to discuss a plan to rob some stores to obtain packed money for the money launderers. Vlad mentioned he had connections with some of Crimson Syndicate’s high command. [REDACTED] called John Corsetti up to ask if he and his boys would like to rob some stores and make some money. John agreed and they all met up at The Wanted Refresh where they furthermore discussed plans. [REDACTED] organized two groups robbing different stores at the same time. After robbing six stores [REDACTED] made the call to meet up somewhere and collect all of the packed money. Vlad assisted [REDACTED] with exchanging the packed money with the money launderer in Del Perro. The operation was successful and ended with no one getting arrested and everyone going home with a little bit of cash. This is just the beginning of the Rooks taking back Del Perro as operations are still continuing.

StoresBig.thumb.PNG.8807d20e413569de2654371c29230c1d.PNG

(The Rooks discussing robbing stores with Crimson Syndicate outside The Wanted Refresh)

 

  • Like 16
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Inverted_Rooks_Logo.png

Part I - Empires Fall, Brothers Unite

"A man travels the world over in search of what he needs, and returns home to find it." George Moore

A man known originally for his dedicated service as Commissioned Officer within the United States Airforce for the betterment of a nation who he felt called upon him to aid an enemy doom to meet its end. This man known as "Louie" by most was considered an otherwise skilled logistical specialist while in service of his nation. Starting his career in 1982 he was trained in a variety of logistical skills stemming from his transportation days while station at the historically renowned Berlin Wall (West). He spent time there flying cargo from the NATO Supported nations to the wall supplying Berlin with western consumer goods as a way to desire defection into the East. One day while performing a patrol on a perimeter fence surrounding the self-proclaimed DMZ, he noticed a small note tied to a rock found on the Western Side of the fencing. The note stated "Seeking Western Medical supplies ASAP! Seek are in need of help! WILL PAY!. Louie recognizing the content of the letter replied to it and tied his response to that very rock tossing it over the East side of the wall. He volunteered for perimeter patrols for several days awaiting the same rock tied to a corresponding letter. That day came when he noticed the so desired letter on one of his patrols. He read over the latest message which beard grid coordinates for a drop location for the medication desired. Additionally, this vary note contained a wire transfer request form for once the operation had been completed (This being for the Bankhaus Metzler). Louie prepped the requested items to be air dropped during one of his cargo hauls in the Eastern sides airspace. After much planning and rigging the items to be airdropped during his flight, the mission went off with out a hitch and the items had been delivered. Louie took the wire transfer request and was paid handsomely for his service. Unfortunately, this transfer was flagged by US Intelligent officials due to it coming from a flagged bank used in distributing funds for Soviet Operatives during the height of the Cold War. This lead to Louie receiving an Other Then Honorable Discharge for smuggling goods using United States government property. Fortunately, due to public relation moves being made by the airforce at the time and to show no Soviet assets could be in the armed forces; the matter was covered following the discharge. Louie was left on the West side of the Berlin wall during his discharge and expected to find his own path home. He realized by the mission conducted and his overall skill in logistics that his skills could be used very favorably with the capitalistic opportunities yet to be established within the communist controlled East.  

 

This lead to Louie defecting to the East side of the wall to establish his own smuggling network for western goods. In this time he developed friends in many walks of life including red army personal, party members of the union and so many more. Just like anyone who establishes a network during such oppressed times; Louie had eventually been flagged by the Committee of State Security for the Soviet Union known by the United States as the KGB. This starting the paper trail that builds against Louie in the international community. Most of this stemming from purchasing Soviet made Kalashnikov, distributing them to the war torn nations of the continent of Africa. 

dYxQg5J.png

RwsiBat.png

The paper trail stemmed from those initial sales would eventually come to haunt Louie as it was used as the precursor for his casefile developed by the International policing body known as Interpol. Once the economic status collapsed within the Soviet Union the wall came down an the Soviet Union dissolved. Luckily, due to the friends made within the Red Army, Louie was able to quickly establish a reliable new network for firearms to be sold within the nations previously mentioned. What made him standout during the "Arms Bazaar" is that Louie only ever accepted trade for his goods, or at most hard cash. Louie learnt his lesson from the wire transfer that a paper trail inevitable lead to a case by policing agency's.  After so many exchanges and the resurface of the previously mentioned classified document; Interpol began developing its own case against Louie. Eventually due to the flagged suspicions lead him to be arrested on a flight heading out of a Congo Airport. They documented his prints and record a baseline of information of Louie. 

U8a8UCT.png

3jS7WV3.png

After a closed hearing was made in a United Nations court house located in Amsterdam. Louie due to lack of physical evidence, witness testimony, or any record of sale that had been documented, lead to him being acquitted of the charges he was accused of by the Interpol agents. After such an exhausting legal battle Louie recollected his brother and remembered the Elden times of enjoying the business and having a reason to build relations with empires. As he learned during this legal predicament, money and trade will only build and associate never anyone he can hold true to himself. While being held in a detainment center he could only remember missing his brother and having an ache that could never be solved by his operations in the south and east. Louie once remembered a young commander in the freedom fighters of South Sudann once stating to him that power with out family is the hallmark to a dying legacy. After much debate; Louie abandoned his empire and all transaction accounts to migrate over with his brother. In the hopes of building a trade with his brother to both share in its economic opportunities. This further reinforced when he exchanged letters with his brother about the promising new market developed within Los Santos. Needing specifically the skills Louie has developed through his several excursions throughout both Africa and Eastern Europe. Louie used what cash he had left and bought passage on a freighter that smuggled him into Los Santos. Once arriving he walked down to the bus stop located just north of the freighter lot and was taken to the famed bus stop area located in the center of the city. This being the true beginning to a bond to behold with two brothers seeking to use their skills to build an empire to last.

To be continued...

xNd4OM9.jpg

  • Like 36
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Derek Neeraj

It begun in the Winter when "San Rider" offered Devil Neeraj to visit Los Santos and as a best friend, Derek couldn't deny the invitation. Once he landed in LS, San taught the basics to help him survive in this dangerous city.

Derek wanted to be legal, but one day he was chilling with some friends fishing but later someone approached towards him offering a good deal. That if he assisted him in a store robbery he'll get the 50% percent. But didn't end well and this is how he got arrested for first time. 
- - - - 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

When Derek finished his sentence, the man who he got arrested with became his crime partner. He started to hang around them and he got chance to learn more about Los Santos. Derek had only visa for 3 months but, on the request of his partners, he decided to move to Los Santos permanently


After few months, he had meeting with his partners and as he feared, they decided to leave city for good. He understood their reasoning though. Derek once again felt broken and alone in Los Santos. 

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 

“When it is dark enough, you can see the stars.” – Charles A. Beard

It was a late night when Derek was staring at the sky, he noticed some people at the beach beside him at the Paleto Bay. It turned out to be a meeting. Derek spoke to them and learned they were the Los Santos DisciplesLater, Derek decided to help them to grow and Derek lead the gang after the departure of leader of David Disciple. Derek made a lot of friends and enemies during this period. It was all good until some members of Los Santos Disciples helped The Gang Albani to set ambush on La Familia Michoacana. And as expected, it didn't go well, later Derek Decided to disband the gang.

193706071_LosSantosDisciple.thumb.png.1cfea6b33e412eb07f4e8aa0d7141ab6.png

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

1165617111_Rookslogo.png.e6fa601156a0c6f3379dda7fd4cae191.png.36e240c8cac49652262ae0643694aa69.png

Family

Los Santos was becoming more and more dangerous for normal people and Derek was cooking a lot in his apartment. Then he started to get threats from well known gangs in the city so, he decided to ask for help from someone then he remembered someone with whom he used to do some illegal items deals in the past, "Jevonte Runnels". Derek was fully aware about with whom he is going to deal with so he started to help Jevonte's Family by providing drugs in large amount and he helped Derek to get out from some big situations as well. Then Derek started getting frequency from Jevonte then he started to hangout with them. 

338061754_JevonteHelped.thumb.jpg.9b818f28784334b2b1b5c5f93c4f1281.jpg

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

After a few days, Derek noticed that Jevonte didn’t get a visa to stay for a long time in Los Santos, this made Derek sad because Jevonte was like family to him. Derek started to help the family in Bank Heists as well and became close to the family, this was the day when he met "Randy Berkowitz" & "Yousef Assad" for first time. 1223353975_BankHeist.thumb.jpg.af371a7513210cc97703aae4ced9d030.jpg

Derek was still making some drugs for the family and was helping them with some shipments from the cartel and proving loyalty towards family. One day after picking up a shipment, he got a message from Randy, "[REDACTED] wants to meet us at a location, I will lead you there." Derek was aware that it was about him but he was feeling excited. And as expected by Derek, [REDACTED] welcomed Derek to The Secret Organization called The Rooks which he calls it Family 

1066153060_TheRooks.thumb.jpg.b0182512bc4c2bb4b7678898f9dabc32.jpg

"Always, forever. Family above all."

Edited by Devil Neeraj
  • Like 21
  • Upvote 3
Link to comment
Share on other sites

A little further down the  rabbit hole...

 

 

"These violent delights have violent ends and in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which as they kiss consume." - William Shakespeare 


As she kissed him goodbye and locked the door behind him  she heard something which set her into panic mode and before she could get to her weapon it was too late, they were coming in, guns pointed in her direction and aimed at the back of his head. Things were just starting to fall into place after the hell their family had faced, and now one by one she saw numerous members of Aztecas, Zetas and Triads funneling into her apartment with all their eyes set on him. They wanted blood and answers and were willing to do whatever it took to get them. She knew the look she was given, it was one to shut the hell up and don’t act out. She didn’t need an explanation, didn’t need to be told, she would listen and do as he asked. With all the voices screaming in her ears it was deafening and she fought to keep focus on anything being said to her. “Bring him upstairs,” a voice yelled from above and without missing a beat they began to force him up the stairs, the gun still aimed at his head.  Her breathing started to struggle as they moved him from the room, up the stairs and out of sight. Her eyes scanning and ears listening for a hint of him...something, anything. She could hear the door slam behind them and the men in the room with her still were on the radio and laughed as they mockingly joked “Good by Dmitri.” It seemed as if there was a house party going on upstairs as she stood at gunpoint in her bedroom, men saying unspeakable things to her as if it was second nature. There were numerous familiar faces in front of her, faces she wished she could forget and erase forever. Faces she once trusted, faces she once laughed with, faces she wished she could bury six feet under. 

It felt as if they were there for days as she stood there trying to hold her composure as best she could as she reminded herself to breath and focus. She barely caught what was said to her when one of the men near her stated they took Dmitri to his apartment to have a “conversation” and I was no longer needed. By the time they started to clear out she could barely stand and just wanted to get out of this place she thought to be her sanctuary from all the bullshit outside the walls. As the last person walked out the door she slammed it and locked it quickly before and then instantly unlocked the door and ran straight for the elevator and to the floor she hoped he would be on. As she tried to open the door, it wouldn't open, it was locked and she didn’t have keys for the very reason that just occurred. She slammed her fists on the door screaming his name, unaware if he was alive in there or if he was hurt. She fell to her knees as tears fell down her face continuing to beat on the door looking for any sign he was ok or if he was even in there. There is no knowing how long she actually laid there waiting before she managed to get the strength to pull herself off the ground and go back to her place to begin cleaning up the mess that awaited her. 

 

VIKOKina8aEOZbW8ReheIdRaJ9qJQ-xi4LFs67EBaXzMORvQygBXsr1gf3CGlllyjrWyxoYPZd78QBodWdAWFkAiVgd1I5W_5iGm8BJ2o0hK_SWkU2nW1Q_f2-3z1Om2tO0AV7r5

 

In the days that passed she spoke to no one. She waited with her phone and at the apartment to hear something from him. It was about a week later that she finally got word from him, he didn't say much other than he was ok and she needed to sell the apartment immediately because it is no longer safe. She brought boxes and began to pack up the essentials and was going to sell the rest with the penthouse, nothing else mattered at this point. She didn't know where she was going to stay but she knew it couldn't be there and loaded up what she could in her car and placed the apartment up for sale. After the house raid Ravyn knew she needed to pack up and find a new place to live until she could get back on her feet. Being able to live together at this time wasn't an option given the circumstances they were put in and to avoid further complications they continued to keep contact minimal. 

 

nKvIWAqM07GwyGWyE3mYy8jRTnNLKtMdDy8uwXWeW5LK8B4QyxvijjeNekNBDEEDowaTbnXR8dUtmqUebw1fE5zGPb0AQdWhjf7LmItJvG0_enzXOj7-KKWo8JMVBmtPg1YNR_4i


Things began to look up in the time that followed after the incessant loss the family faced. With the strength to move on and push forward, the loyal members stayed vigilant in their fight to regain their footing and power within the city. The nights were long and the fights brutal but the vision we had remained strong, as it had to be...there was no other option. Failure was not in our vocabulary.


With a shift in the way we met with our overseas contacts, things seemed to be working in our favor in regards to growing in power and influence. We established our footing in Del Perro and skated within the shadows as we had been. We grew in numbers, the members may have been questionable, but they were what was needed at the time. Powerful allies, motivated sellers and moving stacks of money made our contacts very happy which was nothing but beneficial. With plans in place and everyone standing strong behind [REDACTED] the rise of the Rooks was on the way. This in no way meant there weren't changes to be made in our ranks and change they did. We lost numbers, but there is and will not be room for anyone who will not fall in line [REDACTED] wouldn’t stand for it. He would no longer tolerate the insubordinate and made sure to clip their wings so they were no longer able to fly again in our ranks. 

aYrh6wJT5O92hciOpwWbiKmIpurUP0WVgnuNTYutiSJDMReR6M0FpEvCdQAdcc3Wl7_IVMCp7De0j8-PVLJhFiNZMYlquGSQcQeSAI2HYxguvYzan6CCfo9JZUGCdWPKZXNZnBh-

Once things calmed down for us, the city woke in chaos again. Many of the gangs were at war with each other, a song tried and true that never fails. You could hear the war cries across the state, the bullets sang a death song to any one who listened close enough and we were directed to stay out of it and if we didn’t, there would be consequences and repercussions. There would be no repeats. No second chances. There were no instances in which disobedience would be tolerated and some found that out swiftly, without hesitation.  We stood neutral with the rival gangs and hoped it would stay that way although there were some members of other gangs that didn’t seem to understand this situation at hand.  There were a lot of meetings to be attended and our higher ranking members attended and allowed the trusted members to attend and handle their own as long as they followed the guidelines set out for them. 


“He was a silent fury who no torment could tame.”
― Jack London, White Fang


Making new friends, contacts and acquaintances was beneficial in all ways possible. We still were always looking over our shoulders and for now, we regained sights on our real enemies again...the police. What we didn’t realize is they were also looking a lot closer at us as well. 

 

KdxT1FPSgnomOkKO91aS_iSHuDxgM29xoNJmZfiQTVWyB9bie5Fr-eU8ZO9L1Q-S2Pm5Wjn5QifU3mNDVwd8_27RtdUI3Eb5TKOwxv8ypxlrvk1_kiOwv0IeUCRWXIXUd9lpHWQH

[People reaching out to regain our trust]

 

RElXYMWOKvlCvjiJeGzwXmJRvBSFTwHHf2LV2avZ-EaPxZ_pMMqqd5RoixXUHkB9cZJO4id49YXuboum282BJ3RPFR-i8alm22KGMo3w41JlUFw5CH-Ne__TaMPBzrwcp5iQdoof

jslI5bUdFhMRBhcPPjU8mVM9vZ7ODkCe9UQuq3TdlhUKEXwUuAsB6X3LJYOLwKIYV9ibsprn3qaoq1I9bNERrckrd6hOt-ooT6-pwQnsr3FRn6V1YVmlnvn3eDkCWovyQbVNljvu

IdOsItFO0R1aY7HHnuC4pZBNFlmwO5QcvQLeHDLomjUunVFcNCyuQ8KYYIOEc8dOCNJRkvlL9CFFC5-cQIlXYZx7buz3xFisdV3dxEx3TzD1xf2GnR4q-0VewupxfumhL2ahYn4n

[Various meetings]

 


While Ravyn, [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] were laying low driving around they spotted Ravyn’s car and instantly pursued. As her vehicle was searched and they were questioned, they said they were being detained due to suspicion of being affiliated with the criminal organization the ‘Rooks” and there was a case being built on them and Ravyn’s name was listed. Ravyn and [REDACTED] were arrested and thrown into prison for possession of an illegal firearm. This instantly put [REDACTED] on high alert and Ravyn was directed to stand down in anything that would leave her in a compromising situation or that would possibly lead them to anything within the organization. Officer Jason Steele had a hard on for the Rooks, [REDATED] in particular and it seemed there was nothing he wouldn’t do to be able to get his hands on them. 

 

d7Wkp95WKIWyZTZA5asSkYdSRDzx3nUusss1vvFDbiImoHOaUAWT_Cm9HYJgrVZZ1RyhSk8aL2NZ2UczlPoFQlOri3ThQZrIvKXVGti03xQSNT0IN_xtyU-3_QGaN__WpTnveBXj

 

0NEEvjcq-Ea8RQMN-lWZLMuvB1SPQSGBwALfPTdc34vBMVG36-qZlZF0ZoaySmOUzGCNgyI24yRguFDG8aR1-rzfHI8tNWJ5bNHymaM_ePN4uDh5loiU5NZWCzPKCTC4YcBCqHzI

 

With all eyes on her actions she could do nothing but follow [REDACTED]’s directions the best she could and believe, it was harder than it seemed. Leaving little options to make money she helped out in other ways making contacts and meeting new people. She directed those seeking help in the right direction and was sure to vet those she came in contact with carefully and cautiously. There were very few that could be trusted, even less that she did trust completely. Keeping their circle small and their enemies under a watchful eye they continued to do business keeping their demeanor, voices low and punishment fierce. 

 

3xVnElpyCm9yepQK4iWfFqttzple2nd9aSaOkjXzY-Cy4soFPM3e_X4uZ0fsmE5VwHHC7TBfz9UmNZCCEuIJu_0NcBPARSGpeAraeZKts8ugMfQJR_0tAFNVJPzpAmYe0NPvo7nW

 

“To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting.” - Sun Tzu


Even with all the eyes on them, the family found ways to laugh and enjoy their days between business deals and meetings. It kept us sane, focused and aligned in our plans. As the family grew closer you could see the love and strength they possessed. It wasn’t something you would see in the other gangs, it wasn’t an obligation, it wasn’t forced. You could see that when [REDACTED] moved they all moved in rhythm, as it was meant to be, which helped in keeping the mindset right, the focus on the prize and kept everyone in line; everyone had a role to play. 

 

5XMFAOKc7asg6fM2HVV8FaVkkQNrTJxmpaqzccLwkcyM6S8dQ0rEPa3CoNnQ8ISO5PXizmdAJhBEKDB0XdPfuzJIuwFwdproB7YfZw3OnuvuMxsk7Np-ALBL2Z67gHwQqSAk7bqS


With the war still in play and the heat getting hotter surrounding it, our contacts shut the doors on us as well as everyone else in the city. Trying to avoid the drama that followed the fighting gangs war and the trouble it brought along with it left them with no choice other than to remove themselves from the equation. This added a bit of a complication to plans but [REDACTED] wasn’t worried and we continued as planned as we waited to see what would come of this situation at hand. 

 

11ciZlpgerQg2PIlm4DKA8zO74eYjfFviiF89dKr5yrAV2g1TWH29tO-d8s9-M8vmwEbNE43N7nBxJ7v5YdebWLk3xmJyPn85Rs3savT9dK9vpvpjo0qM50ci2TJnp5lGzu69PxU

 

[REDACTED] had his mind set on how things would progress and refused to waiver and watched every move being made, calculating the outcomes for each change he could foresee. This game of chess was far from over and they were determined to be the victor and eagerly waiting for the words “CheckMate” to cross their lips.


“Where there is perhaps a province in which the photograph can tell us nothing more than what we see with our own eyes, there is another in which it proves to us how little our eyes permit us to see.” - Dorthea Lange 

 

KXNzaF5qGLKb39Ut3yH_PXyjVBsptXE4bQApTi_Z47Xz1og_O5eyt1aYf0mW6HxD3W8UMQCwJnzArVbytd5xGJrYGda6jVoClQMpFaSa6R8Ey_QJG4ek3RAXUTuq0G3FXKQxapvk

Edited by WillowRaven
  • Like 25
  • Upvote 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.