Editing Edward McHaggis

== Background/History ==
{{Infobox Character
|name=Edward McHaggis
|image=Edward_Portrait.png
|fullname=Edward McBane
|alias=The Butcher
|gender=Male
|nationality=Scottish
|birth=1980s (exact date unknown)
|birthplace=Durness, Scotland
|status=Alive
|related=Billy McBardigael (cousin), Luciana McHaggis (wife, deceased)

|associated=<ul>
<li>[[Billy McBardigael]]</li>
<li>[[Alexa Morrison]]</li>
<li>[[Jim]]</li>
<li>[[Haruto]]</li>
<li>[[Giuseppe Marcano]]</li>
</ul>
|factions=<ul>
<li>Independent Kingdom of Scotland</li>
<li>[[Claymore MC]] (until dissolution)</li>
<li>[[The Big Four]] (until dissolution)</li>
</ul>
|rank=<ul>
<li>King of Scotland</li>
<li>President (Claymore MC)</li>
<li>Syndicate Leader</li>
</ul>
|factionstatus=<ul>
<li>King of Scotland (early 2025)</li>
<li>Left the criminal underworld (late 2024)</li>
</ul>

|first=Rise of the Syndicates
|last=Chapter III: The Yakuza Resurgence
|arcs=Rise of Claymore MC, The Yakuza Crisis, First and Second Paleto Crises, The Great Breakup

|writer=The Animation Elf
}}
Edward, often known as "The Butcher," is a bold and ruthless figure in the Los Santos underworld, known for his temper, calculated ruthlessness, strategy, and a reputation for breaking even the most resilient opponents. He was born Edward McBane in the small fisher village of Durness in Scotland, but to shield his family from his criminal reputation, he adopted the surname McHaggis. From an early age, Edward was drawn to crime, engaging in petty theft, extortion, and robberies, all of which quickly caught the attention of local gangs.

By 22 years old, his rising notoriety attracted the interest of the [[Cosa Nostra]], including the [[Corleonesi]], who invited him to Italy, where he began his formal career in organized crime. It was here he met [[Giuseppe Marcano]], a member of the Corleonesi who became both his mentor and partner, guiding Edward in the art of organized crime and afterwords becoming good friends. Edward did many jobs with Giuseppe including extortion, torture and contract killing. In Italy, Edward also met [[Luciana McHaggis|Luciana]], an Italian woman who would later become his wife.

After several successful years, Edward left the Cosa Nostra with honour and ventured to Asia to find new work, where he secured an position within the [[Yakuza]]—a rare feat for an outsider. At the Yakuza, Edward met [[Haruto]] and Takahashi. They all were the rank of Kyodai. While Edward earned respect from the Yakuza, it was Haruto who ultimately got promoted to Sateigashria. 

Haruto, being the bully that he was, started picking on Edward because he got the promotion before Edward. Later Edward got the call from [[Billy McBardigael|Billy]] to reconnect with his cousin in the city of Los Santos. Edward never announced to the Yakuza that he was leaving, so he never submitted to the traditional Yubitsume (finger-cutting ritual) upon his departure, this angered the Yakuza, a decision that would haunt him later.

Eventually, Edward made his way to Los Santos, reconnecting with his cousin, [[Billy McBardigael]]. Together, they built up a formidable syndicate in the [[Rancho|southern districts of the city]], though Edward soon took the lead as Billy’s interest turned toward construction and project work rather than the gritty world of crime. Edward’s years of experience and his unyielding leadership style made him a natural figurehead, and he ruled his territories with an iron fist. As he grew more powerful, Edward remained a calculating force, applying the brutal lessons he learned from both the Cosa Nosta and the Yakuza to cement his position in the San Andreas criminal hierarchy.

Edward not only forged alliances within the city's criminal elite but also established his own loyal force through the creation of the '''[[Claymore MC]]''', formerly known as '''Aye or Die MC'''. This motorcycle club was composed primarily of American army veterans, men who shared Edward's rough, disciplined approach to life. These veterans, many of whom struggled to adjust to civilian life, found a sense of brotherhood and purpose within the club, aligning with Edward’s ambitions and tactics.

The Claymore MC quickly became integral to Edward's operations. Hardened by their military training and united by loyalty, these men provided Edward with an elite force capable of handling dangerous and delicate missions alike. With their help, he executed his plans with precision, using the club as a shield and a weapon. Their skills in combat, logistics, and coordination made them perfect for a variety of tasks, from enforcing territory to handling high-stakes heists and smuggling operations.

Under Edward's ruthless but strategic leadership, the Claymore MC emerged as a respected and feared faction in Los Santos. This motor club became the backbone of his rise to power, giving him a distinct edge over rivals and ensuring he always had a crew he could trust in times of both war and diplomacy. In the end of 2024, Edward announced that he was going to leave his criminal life in Los Santos behind and move back to Durness in Scotland.

== Events of GTA RP ==

=== Arrival to Los Santos ===
Edward McHaggis arrived in Los Santos in late 2023, summoned by his cousin Billy McBardigael. At the time, Edward was living in Southern Italy with his wife, Luciana. The couple had been struggling financially—Edward’s past income from the Cosa Nostra had dried up, and his exit from the Yakuza had left him with few friends and even fewer options. When Billy reached out with an offer to come to Los Santos, Edward didn’t hesitate. He saw it as the only move left—a final chance to reclaim the power and chaos that had once defined him.

His arrival was brash and unapologetic. Edward landed in the city with nothing but a half-packed duffel bag, a head full of plans, and a taste for reckless indulgence. Though short on funds, he carried a lifetime of underworld experience, and a readiness to start over by force if necessary.

He first met the others at a private house in Vinewood Hills. There, Edward introduced himself to the trio—[[Alexa Morrison]], Billy McBardigael, and [[Jim]]. The atmosphere was tense, with Alexa skeptical and sharp, Jim quiet but attentive, and Billy acting as the familiar bridge between them. While Alexa found Edward’s demeanor unrefined, she and the others saw something else in him—experience. Edward was no rookie. He carried the weight of Cosa Nostra and Yakuza years behind his eyes, and that wasn’t something easily dismissed.

Soon after, Edward joined the collective effort between Billy, Jim, and Alexa—an operational group known as [[the Locals]]. The Locals coordinated regional smuggling and protection activities, and Edward quickly proved to be an asset. He brought years of violent expertise and international black market connections to the table. In return, he gained capital, influence, and something else he hadn't had in years—momentum.

With profits from early operations, Edward began investing. First came the headquarters in Rancho, a rough district he felt at home in. It was a practical base, fortified and strategically placed for operations. But Edward didn’t stop there. Alongside the business, he threw himself into the nightlife. Lavish parties, loud music, fast cars—it was chaos wrapped in wealth, and he thrived in it.

Alexa, however, remained unimpressed. She tolerated Edward’s theatrics because they came with results, but privately, she saw his partying as a liability. In her mind, Edward was too unstable to be trusted fully—but she also knew better than to underestimate him. Beneath the chaos, Edward had survived worlds harsher than this one—and that meant something.

He didn’t see Los Santos as a city of dreams or second chances. To Edward, it was just another battlefield—and this time, he didn’t intend to lose.

=== Birth of Aye or Die ===
After establishing his headquarters and gaining traction through smuggling operations with the Locals, Edward began looking toward the next step in his criminal career. He wanted more than territory—he wanted a private army, something disciplined, mobile, and loyal. With Billy’s help and inspired by the organizational blueprint of Alexa’s [[Rattlesnakes MC]], Edward founded his own outfit: [[Claymore MC|Aye or Die MC]].

Unlike Alexa’s club, which operated with a council and a measure of shared influence, Aye or Die was built around one principle—absolute control. Edward would serve as president and sole authority, ruling the MC with an iron fist. The club’s primary purpose was twofold: protect Edward’s growing enterprise and manufacture narcotics on an industrial scale. It was not a social club—it was a war machine disguised as one.

Following the [[wikipedia:2020–2021_U.S._troop_withdrawal_from_Afghanistan|end of American involvement in Afghanistan]] two years ago, many soldiers found themselves aimless, jobless, and angry. Edward saw opportunity in their displacement. He recruited them in waves, offering purpose, structure, and pay. These men, trained in combat and operations, became the muscle of Aye or Die—loyal to Edward, bonded through shared scars and discipline. Their military background gave Edward a tactical edge few others in Los Santos could match.

With the strength of the MC behind him, Edward began expanding aggressively. He bought up property across the southern region of the city—acquiring locations in the LSIA docks, Strawberry, La Mesa, parts of Cypress Flats, and other key industrial corridors. With the exception of LSIA proper, much of the southern criminal underworld slowly came under his influence. These areas became hubs for drug production, storage, and movement—protected around the clock by his veterans-turned-outlaws.

To Edward, Aye or Die was more than a club—it was the backbone of his empire. And unlike the Locals, where influence was shared, here there was no compromise. Edward was in full control.

=== The Establishment of the Big Four ===
Shortly after the establishment of Aye or Die MC, tragedy struck the inner circle. Billy McBardigael, Edward’s cousin and closest ally, lost his battle with terminal lung cancer. His death left a significant void, not only in Edward’s life but also in the syndicate’s structure. In his place, a man named [[Tony]]—one of Billy’s longtime business partners—stepped in. Though not as hands-on as Billy, Tony brought a different kind of utility to the table: mobility. He assumed Billy’s role in providing support on wheels, offering tactical transportation and logistics when needed.

With Tony stepping in and all major pieces aligned, the four criminal leaders—Edward, Alexa, Jim, and now Tony—formalized their cooperation under a new name: [[Big Four|the Big Four]]. What had previously been a loose collaboration now became a structured alliance. Their shared goal was simple but bold: control the drug market across San Andreas.

The Big Four coordinated narcotics distribution, oversaw smuggling routes, and enforced their hold on territories through intimidation, violence, and strategic manipulation. Each member controlled a different region and brought a unique strength to the alliance. For Edward, it was his iron grip on the southern districts and his militarized motorclub. While trust was scarce between them, power kept the alliance in motion.

This marked a turning point for Edward. No longer just the wild card in Rancho, he had become a pillar in one of the most powerful syndicates Los Santos.

=== The First Paleto Crisis ===
The First Paleto Crisis began when Jim alerted the syndicate of a potential competitor rising in the quiet northern town of [[Paleto Bay]]. While Alexa initially brushed it off as another small-timer, Edward took it seriously. A threat, no matter how small, had to be addressed quickly. Edward and Tony set out immediately, riding in Jim’s old Bugstars van to avoid detection. They knew well enough that anyone worth worrying about would have lookouts.

When they arrived in Paleto, Edward approached the new player—an awkward, uncertain man who introduced himself as [[Damian Morrison]]. What struck Edward most was how out of place Damian looked. Insecure, uncomfortable, and clearly not built for the criminal world—or so Edward thought. Sensing an opportunity to send a message, Edward made a snap decision. Despite Jim’s hesitation, Edward and Tony forcibly kidnapped Damian and stuffed him into the back of the Bugstars van.

They transported him to a back alley on Mutiny Road in La Puerta, a place where lessons were taught and forgotten names were buried. There, with Jim reluctantly present, Edward led a brutal interrogation. He didn’t just want answers—he wanted to break Damian’s confidence. With a big evil smile on his face, he proceeded to waterboard Damian to break him psychologically and repeatedly hit him with a baseball bat. Edward very much enjoyed the torture, which according to him was a way to show his capabilities to his allies and enemies.

At the time, none of them knew who Damian really was. He was just another would-be player trying to carve out space in a city already spoken for. But when Alexa learned what had happened, everything changed. Damian wasn’t just a nobody—he was her brother.

This marked the beginning of a rising conflict within the group. Sensing an opportunity in the situation, Jim chose not to take sides. To Edward, this neutrality was disappointing—he viewed it as weakness, even if their friendship kept him from saying so outright. In his mind, you were either securing power or letting it slip.

Trying a different tactic, Edward approached Damian again. This time, he wore a mask of civility, attempting to rebuild some semblance of a friendly rapport. In truth, Edward’s intentions were purely strategic—he hoped that aligning with Damian could grant him leverage over Alexa. Damian, however, saw straight through the act, but chose to play along, seeing value in the deception.

==== Billy's resurrection ====<!-- The exact time of the resurrection is unknown, but is likely after the [[First Paleto Crisis]]. -->

Around this time, Tony—who had taken over Billy’s construction business—began to falter. Mismanagement led to the collapse of his income streams, and eventually, he left the city altogether. His exit left a gap in mobile support, but it also marked a shift in the syndicate’s dynamic.

Soon after, Edward and Alexa made a bizarre and questionable decision. The two exhumed Billy’s body, which, strangely, had not decomposed—likely due to the alcohol and cigarettes that had preserved him like a pickled relic. They brought his remains to a group of Haitians who performed an obscure ritual on the corpse. To everyone's surprise, it worked. Billy came back.

His resurrection was as chaotic as his life had been. For Edward, however, it was a rare moment of joy. Billy had been more than family—he had been a foundation. Seeing him walk again felt like fate had finally dealt a fair hand. Billy’s return wouldn’t fix the fractures forming in the syndicate, but for Edward, it was a reminder that not everything lost was gone forever.

==== Captain Cash and the Bunker ====
Another problem soon emerged in Paleto Bay: the arrival of [[Gerwin Cash|Captain Cash]]. A former navy captain with an unbreakable will and a stare like steel, Cash joined Damian as both protector and advisor. His military discipline and unwavering moral stance clashed immediately with Edward’s ruthless style. Edward didn’t fear many, but Cash was an outlier—resilient, unreadable, and unmoved by intimidation.

After a short confrontation in Paleto Bay, where Billy had taken a sniper position overlooking the meeting, Edward stepped forward and attempted to pressure the Paletan duo. He barked threats and laid down ultimatums. But none of it landed. Cash’s presence dominated the encounter, silencing Edward with sheer composure. Frustrated and unsatisfied, Billy and Edward left, retreating back to the city with more questions than answers.

But Edward wasn’t done. He and Billy decided to spy on Cash, needing to understand who exactly had entered the playing field. They tracked him back to a hidden bunker deep in [[Raton Canyon]] and installed a series of discreet microphones along the perimeter. While tailing him to the site, something unexpected happened.

A luxury helicopter descended onto the bunker. From it stepped Alexa. Edward and Billy, watching from a hidden vantage point, listened as Alexa confronted Cash. She demanded repayment of a $15 million loan that she had “granted” to Damian. The conversation made one thing clear: Alexa had never been neutral. She was deeply involved, and the loan was never a business transaction—it was protection disguised as debt. What Edward had suspected was now confirmed.

==== The Collapse of the Plan ====
With confirmation that Alexa had secretly backed Damian, Edward began laying the groundwork for a new strategy. He shared his idea with Billy: manipulate Damian into trusting him, then use that relationship to drive a wedge between the siblings. The $15 million loan was the key—Edward would present himself as an ally to Damian, only to later leverage the supposed debt as pressure against Alexa.

But before Edward could execute his carefully laid plan, Billy, in typical fashion, ruined everything. Acting on impulse and without warning, Billy confronted Damian directly and let the entire plan slip. Edward was furious. Weeks of quiet maneuvering undone in seconds because Billy couldn’t keep his mouth shut. His rage was internal controlled, but deep. He said nothing, but he wouldn’t forget.

Damian, for his part, was unimpressed. He saw through Billy’s clumsy approach and rejected the entire idea. The meeting dissolved with nothing gained, and Edward was back to square one.

With options running low, Edward turned to Jim. The two met in private and devised a new plan. It was simple: they would remove Damian from the equation entirely. Edward and Billy would escort him—by diplomacy or minimal force—to a private aircraft, where he would be shipped abroad. Meanwhile, Captain Cash would be dealt with.

The plan was put into motion. But when Edward and Billy arrived to execute it, they didn’t find resistance. Instead, they found Damian stoned, disoriented, and depressed—his uncle, Uncle Dave, had just passed away. The timing was unexpected, but it worked in their favour. With little resistance, they escorted Damian onto the plane.

As the aircraft ascended into the clouds, Edward watched from the runway. No shots fired, no blood spilled. The [[Bay Rebels]] were finished, for now.

=== Interbellum ===
Following the end of the First Paleto Crisis, the Big Four convened to address the fallout. The meeting was tense. Edward, still burning from the failed leverage over Damian and Alexa’s covert involvement, was the first to speak. He openly scolded Alexa for her backroom dealings—financing Damian and orchestrating events without informing the others. He didn’t hold back, demanding transparency and respect if they were truly allies.

Billy and Jim stayed quiet, offering no support nor opposition. It was silence Edward found almost as frustrating as Alexa’s deception. Alexa, however, held her ground. She countered Edward’s accusations with her own, pointing out that Edward himself had attempted to manipulate Damian for personal gain, even going as far as trying to turn him against his own sister. With Billy’s help, no less. The hypocrisy hung heavy in the air. Though no blood was spilled, the conversation marked the first major crack in the alliance’s foundation.

Despite the tension, the Big Four agreed to a soft reset—a fresh look at their operations and goals. Paleto Bay, now empty and strategically valuable, was brought to the table. Alexa suggested that no member of the Big Four should directly control it. Edward disagreed with the idea, but he didn’t argue—at least not publicly.

Instead, Edward went home and devised a plan. He still had ties to the Cosa Nostra, particularly [[Marcano Crime Family|the Marcano Crime Family]]. Without informing the others, he contacted his old mentor and friend, [[Giuseppe Marcano]], the powerful don of the Marcano Mob. Edward proposed a quiet takeover of Paleto Bay by Giuseppe, believing this would strengthen his own influence within the group and boost his credibility. Giuseppe, owing Edward a favour and wanting to expand the influence of the Marcano Mab abroad agreed and flew in from Sicily shortly after.

Giuseppe wasn’t just a mobster—he was a statesman of crime. A special member of the American Mafia’s Commission, he had a rare combination of charisma, ruthlessness, and organizational vision. When Edward introduced him at the next syndicate meeting, Giuseppe presented plans to formalize their loose alliance into a true Commission—a structured body for dispute resolution, cooperation, and internal transactions. Edward was impressed. This was the kind of order he believed they needed.

But the others didn’t see it the same way. Jim, in particular, voiced skepticism, questioning Giuseppe’s motives and the need for added hierarchy. The rest followed suit. Despite the proposal’s logic and Edward’s passion, the idea was voted down. Edward left the meeting frustrated. For him, this had been a chance to modernize their operation and assert his growing power. Instead, it became yet another reminder of how little trust truly existed within the Big Four.

==== Catching up with Giuseppe and his establishment in Paleto Bay ====
A few days later, Giuseppe invited Edward to catch up at his rented apartment in [[Del Perro]]. It had been years since the two had spoken—Edward's departure from Italy to work with the Yakuza in Japan had cut off their contact. As they approached the entrance of the building, they were stopped by someone unexpected: a young man with a familiar face. It was Giuseppe’s son, [[Marty Marcano|Marty]], whom Giuseppe hadn’t seen in over three years. Emotional and stunned, Giuseppe invited him in.

Inside, Giuseppe introduced Marty to Edward. Marty was uncouth and uneasy—clearly down on his luck and searching for something stable. After some brief catching up, Marty stepped outside to give his father and Edward time to talk.

The two old friends spoke for hours. They reminisced, traded stories, and discussed Edward’s work in Los Santos, his time with the Yakuza, and the political climate of the city. Eventually, Giuseppe raised the idea of Edward mentoring Marty—to toughen him up and teach him the ropes of criminal enterprise. But Edward, unimpressed by Marty’s past and his treatment of his family, declined the offer.

Giuseppe was visibly disappointed, but Edward quickly offered an alternative. He suggested Marty work under Billy, whose diverse construction front and criminal logistics could give the boy structure and discipline. Giuseppe agreed. Edward placed the call, and Billy was enthusiastic—happy to have someone to mold and assist him.

The next day, Edward brought everyone together. Billy and Marty sat down at the table, with Giuseppe observing. The terms were simple: Marty would be mentored by Billy until Giuseppe was firmly established in Paleto Bay. Though reluctant at first, Marty eventually agreed—and as time went on, found purpose in his new role.

While Billy mentored Marty, Edward and Giuseppe moved forward with plans for Paleto Bay. The two traveled north together and began setting up operations. Drug manufacturing labs were built in remote facilities, an arcade was purchased for front operations, and a fortified bunker was secured. The groundwork was solid.

For the first time in a while, things were looking up for Edward. He had his mentor back, growing influence in the north, and momentum that even his rivals couldn’t ignore.

=== The Yakuza Inference ===
Just as stability returned to Edward’s life, it was violently upended. One morning, Edward received a disturbing phone call followed by a letter delivered to his mailbox. The Yakuza had resurfaced—and they had kidnapped his wife, Luciana McHaggis, transporting her from Italy to Japan. It was a brutal message: Edward still owed a debt for abandoning the syndicate without performing the ritual yubitsume. They wanted payment—and now they had leverage.

Panicked and enraged, Edward immediately called Billy and Jim. He laid everything out—the past ties, the unfinished business, and the threat to Luciana. Without hesitation, they pledged support. Billy would manage Edward’s businesses, and Jim would assist in maintaining operations during his absence.

Edward contacted the Yakuza, a move made in desperation—but one that quickly backfired. They traced his call and confirmed his location in Los Santos. With no time to spare, Edward caught the first available flight to Japan.

Upon arrival, he was met by familiar faces—his former superiors in the Yakuza, men who once considered him a brother. They put him to work immediately, assigning him to low-level duties as a way to test his loyalty and extract further humiliation. He complied, not for them—but for Luciana. But tragedy struck. Despite the Yakuza leadership’s orders to keep Luciana alive, a group of undisciplined trainees attempted to harm her. The situation escalated beyond control, and she was murdered in captivity. Her death was brutal and senseless, and it shattered Edward.

Meanwhile, back in Los Santos, an old rival from Edward’s Yakuza days, [[Haruto]], arrived in the city. Sent by the Yakuza to seize Edward’s assets and funnel profits back to Japan, Haruto moved swiftly to assert control. But the syndicates had no tolerance for outside interference. Acting with unity, they captured Haruto, dragged him aboard a submarine, and eliminated him. His fate ended in the ocean—silent, deep, and final.

Edward returned to Los Santos a different man. He arrived in tears, broken from the loss of his wife. Jim met him at his agency in La Puerta. In a rare show of vulnerability, Jim shared his own history—he too had lost his wife to the Yakuza. They sat in quiet understanding, bonded not by power or profit, but by shared grief.

“You’re a real mate,” Edward said quietly. “I can count on you.”

He went home that night not as a kingpin, but as a man in mourning. Luciana’s death hardened him. The warmth, the restraint—it all began to fade. What returned to the city was someone colder, more ruthless. The Edward that followed would not make the same mistake again.

=== The Second Paleto Crisis ===
During Edward’s absence in Japan, things began to unravel. Giuseppe, who had been overseeing Paleto Bay, was suddenly deported for lacking a valid visa. With the [[Marcano Crime Family|Marcano Mob]] leader removed, a power vacuum formed in the north—just as Edward was beginning to resettle in Los Santos.

The timing couldn’t have been worse. Damian Morrison, thought to be out of the picture, was sighted back in the city. The Big Four quickly called an emergency meeting. Tensions were immediate. Edward, still reeling from loss but focused on protecting what remained of his empire, accused Alexa of being involved in Damian’s return. Billy joined in, backing the claim that Alexa was once again covering for her brother.

Alexa, visibly frustrated, denied any involvement. She told Edward to stop blaming her for Damian’s every move and reminded him of the autonomy Damian had always demonstrated. The accusations fell flat, and the meeting ended unresolved.

Billy and Jim took it upon themselves to act. While Edward continued to stabilize his affairs, they tracked Damian to the Los Santos graveyard—he was seen mourning his uncle, [[Dave Morrison|Uncle Dave]]. Billy approached him directly, while Jim watched the area with a surveillance drone. The situation escalated quickly. Damian, sensing a threat, pulled a pistol and fired four shots at Billy before fleeing the scene, who got injured in the process. This made a way for Damian to escape to Paleto Bay.

The failure to neutralize Damian was a blow. Edward was frustrated but didn’t lay blame, as Billy was hospitalized for the bullets. The damage, however, was only just beginning. Word spread quickly that Captain Cash had returned—alive and very much prepared to rejoin Damian. The Bay Rebels were reformed.

But this time, they had an edge. Damian’s Russian cousin, Alexei, entered the picture. A cold and calculating financier, Alexei offered support to the Bay Rebels—for a price. Backed by Russian capital and Cash’s strategic mind, the Bay Rebels became a serious threat once again.

For Edward, the return of Damian, the reformation of the Bay Rebels, and the rise of Alexei marked a turning point. The peace of the Interbellum was over. The north was lost again—and this time, Edward intended to settle it for good.

Seeing an opening, Edward decided to approach the problem strategically. He knew Alexei’s loyalty came at a cost. With more financial power than the Bay Rebels, Edward offered Alexei 200.000$ to covertly sabotage them from within. At first, it seemed promising—Alexei agreed. But as weeks passed, Edward saw little progress.

To make matters worse, Damian soon outbids him. The Bay Rebels funnelled even more money to Alexei, eventually bringing his total take to nearly 490.000$ . The betrayal stung. Edward had tried to play the game cleanly and had been burned. Both sides were frustrated with Alexei’s lack of results, and it became clear that he had played them both. Alexei escaped from San Andreas, bringing him in a lot of money and doing little.

Tensions hit a boiling point when the Bay Rebels launched [[Bardigael Farm Raid|an assault on Billy’s farm]], located south of Bolingbroke Prison. Billy, injured and furious, called an emergency meeting of the Big Four—this time excluding Alexa. Enough was enough. Edward, Billy, and Jim agreed: it was time to end the Bay Rebels. They launched an [[The Battle of Paleto Bay|all-out assault on Paleto Bay]]. Edward and Billy brought in a modern anti-air system—the Chernobog—to eliminate Damian’s air support. As the skies erupted, Jim took position as sniper, targeting the ground troops from a ridge overlooking the town.

The battle was brutal and explosive, drawing national attention. Buildings burned, vehicles exploded, and bodies dropped on both sides. Damian’s plane (Rogue) was struck and spiraled down in flames. Yet even with their best effort, the fight didn’t end in victory. It ended in a draw with in total 28 men killed.

The Bay Rebels, weakened and outgunned, realized their position was no longer sustainable. They fled Los Santos and formally disbanded, marking the end of the Second Paleto Crisis. The war didn’t end in triumph, but it ended. And that was enough for now.

=== The Yakuza Crisis ===
Despite the draw, the Big Four—including Alexa—celebrated what they called a victory over the Bay Rebels. The celebration took place in Alexa’s luxury penthouse atop [https://gta.fandom.com/wiki/The_Diamond_Casino_%26_Resort the Diamond Casino and Resort]. For once, there were no deals to be made, no enemies to plan against—just laughter, drinks, and the rare feeling of peace. Edward allowed himself to relax, to toast to good business, and, just for a moment, to feel like everything might finally be under control.

That illusion ended the moment he got in his car to head home.

On the way back to Rancho, Edward was intercepted by a black SUV. The occupants: Yakuza agents. They had tracked him down, likely due to the call he had made months earlier. Calm but cold, they demanded that Edward return to work under them. Edward refused, making it clear that they were on ''his'' turf now. He didn’t back down, and his tone carried the weight of every lesson he’d learned in blood. The Yakuza left—but not before warning that they would return. The next day, Edward realized what he feared: the Yakuza were in the city. They had established a cell.

That morning, a group of Yakuza negotiators appeared outside Claymore MC. They weren’t there to talk—they were there to demand. A staggering 100 million dollars in compensation, for debts and insults long past. Edward told them flatly that the sum was impossible, that it was more than his entire net worth. They didn’t argue. They simply left.

Then the embargo began. Yakuza enforcers began seizing shipments and export goods tied to all four syndicates. Anything valuable was redirected into their own networks. The Big Four were hemorrhaging profit, and pressure mounted fast. An emergency meeting was called.

Edward explained the situation. The Yakuza weren’t just threatening him—they were bleeding the entire Big Four. Alexa, frustrated, accused Edward of dragging everyone into his personal war. Billy remained supportive, but even he looked concerned. The meeting ended in deadlock. If they did nothing, the Yakuza would collapse the whole system.

The next day, another meeting was held—this time with a proposal. Alexa suggested hiring [[Hans Naumann]], a renowned German smuggler with the skill to bypass the Yakuza’s chokehold. Edward, seeing no better option, agreed. The only dissenter was Jim, who believed they should go to war instead. But he was outvoted.

Hans was hired. The deal was simple: 5% of all syndicate earnings would go to him in exchange for clean smuggling lanes. It was expensive, but it was survival. For Edward, it was yet another price paid to keep the empire from crumbling.

But the Yakuza retaliated. Learning of Hans's whereabouts, they raided his apartment on Vespucci Beach. They stole whatever they could get their hands on—valuables, electronics, and, most importantly, Hans’s prized collection of limited edition Playboy magazines. More crucially, they secured a USB stick containing sensitive data: details on the business deal, syndicate locations, and other client information. The breach was catastrophic. Alexa was furious, Jim was vocal in his disgust, and Edward—though equally frustrated—chose not to scold Hans openly. Still, he saw the incident as sloppy, a crack in the armor.

A few days later, Billy tracked down the Yakuza’s base of operations: the Land Act Reservoir Facility. That night, acting alone, Billy drilled into the facility and slaughtered every occupant—over a hundred Yakuza agents. The massacre sent a message, Edward was pleased, the threat was eliminated. To drive the point home, he recorded a video message to the Yakuza. In it, he smiled coldly as he scolded them for their sloppiness.

With the Yakuza cell destroyed, Hans’s role began to wind down. But just as things seemed to settle, Jim discovered Hans’s connection to the Yakuza—specifically his involvement in the death of Jim’s wife. Jim arranged a confrontation at the observatory. Though emotions ran high, Jim ultimately let Hans go. Edward, like many others, saw the decision as weak.

Despite the ordeal, the damage to the Big Four was minimal—except to Edward. Claymore MC had been hit moderately hard during the embargo. And while the crisis had passed, the club’s losses, especially financially and a lack of trust planted seeds of unrest that would soon grow into something far more dangerous.

=== Fall of Claymore MC ===
Months of relative peace gave way to internal tensions within Claymore. Disagreements arose over payouts, loyalty to the club’s original cause, and Edward’s increasing need for control. Inspired by Alexa’s tightly run operation—which granted her greater profits and centralized command—Edward began tightening his grip on Claymore in hopes of replicating her success. But Claymore MC was not built for obedience. Its members, many of them ex-military and fiercely independent, bristled at the shift.

Edward quelled all dissent with force or dismissal. But that only worsened things. Eventually, a prominent member named [[Aiden Reed]], along with [[Caroline]]—a former fling of Edward’s embittered by his refusal to pursue a real relationship—led a [[The Claymore Mutiny|large-scale mutiny]]. Over the following days, a large portion of the club defected to form a new gang: the [[Alamo Hellraisers]], settling in Sandy Shores.

Edward’s empire started to crumble. Desperate to stabilize his operation, he approached Jim. With Jim’s help, they began sourcing airfreight cargo to Edward’s hangar at Fort Zancudo, one of the few assets still under his control. It gave him some breathing room, but not nearly enough. Edward’s credibility at the Big Four’s table was dwindling.

Seeing his old friend stressed and cornered, Billy suggested they take a break. Together, they visited the Los Santos Car Meet where they encountered 29-year-old [[Jeffrey Cooper]], a mechanic looking for work. To make extra cash, Edward had Jeff help on a few cars and later showed him his auto shop. Billy, intrigued by the young man, took Jeff to see his private car collection housed in a repurposed government facility at the Ron Alternates Wind Farm.

There, the two were ambushed by a biker gang. They escaped unharmed and reported the incident to Edward, who identified the attackers as members of the Alamo Hellraisers—the same bikers who had turned on Claymore. In response, Edward initiated Jeff as a prospect in Claymore MC. That afternoon, with Billy’s help, they launched a strike on Sandy Shores, shooting up the area in a show of strength without causing fatalities. The message was clear: Claymore was not dead.

Jeff remained loyal to Edward and did not turn, despite Edward's unstable position. Instead, he helped run jobs, secure deals, and slowly mend Claymore back together. But the damage had been done, and Edward could never get back to his old level of strength.

=== The Great Breakup ===
On November 8, 2024, the Big Four assembled for a meeting, the atmosphere thick with tension. Edward opened the discussion by reporting the recent ambush on Billy and Jeff. But instead of solidarity, Alexa used the opportunity to question Edward’s competence, pointing to his declining power and lack of control.

The accusation enraged Edward. He lashed out, accusing Alexa of consistently undermining him and lacking faith in his leadership. Billy, fed up with Alexa’s cold demeanor, joined in. The two men argued with Alexa until Jim finally cut through the noise, urging calm. But the damage had already been done. The meeting adjourned with all four leaving bitter and fractured. The alliance was cracking.

Later that afternoon, Edward visited Jim at [[Videogeddon Arcade|his arcade in La Mesa]]. Over drinks and low lighting, Edward vented about Alexa, Claymore’s fall, and the general decay in their business ties. Jim listened, offering calm words and reassurance. He reminded Edward that Alexa likely just wanted to avoid another Bay Rebels situation. Edward nodded—but internally, he wasn’t convinced.

That evening, things took a darker turn. While on his way to a construction site in the Grand Senora Desert, Billy was approached by Aiden and Caroline. They laid bare a story of betrayal: they had been sent on a mission by Claymore but were ambushed and left for dead. Aiden claimed he called for backup—and Edward never responded. Aiden survived, but the experience left him feeling abandoned. Hearing their grievances firsthand and recalling all the growing issues within Claymore, Billy’s sympathy shifted. That same night, he called an emergency meeting of the Big Four.

The gathering was explosive. Billy was furious. He accused Edward of mistreating his staff and letting greed override their founding principles. He didn’t spare Alexa either, blaming her for growing distant and letting wealth corrupt what was once built on trust. With a slam of his hand on the table, Billy stood up and walked out. Edward followed. Despite Billy’s anger over Claymore’s collapse, Edward saw the alliance as unbearable. But before leaving, he turned back to Alexa and spat one final insult: calling her a bitch. Jim, ever the bridge between chaos and calm, stood as well. He saw no point in pretending the alliance could be salvaged—but remained on good terms with everyone as he quietly exited. Alexa, the last at the table, looked around the empty room. And then, she too left. The Big Four was no more.

=== The First Scottish Revolution ===
The fall of the once-mighty alliance sent shockwaves through the criminal underworld. In the days that followed, Edward was stripped of the Big Four name, cut out of Alexa’s logistical channels, and swiftly discredited by many former allies. His production stalled, distribution lines collapsed, and the man who once stood at the top of the food chain was reduced to a ghost of his former self. These cascading failures left Edward unmotivated and isolated.

Weeks passed, and Edward watched the remnants of his empire shrink. It became clear that without action, rivals would soon take what little he had left. But Edward, even in decline, never stopped dreaming. From a young age, he held a belief—Scotland should be an independent nation, one not ruled by English politics, one that stood proud within the European Union. And at the heart of that nation, Edward dreamed of himself—not as a criminal, but as a leader. A king, perhaps.

With that, a new vision took root. A revolution. Edward began carving out the details. He assessed the manpower still loyal to him, took inventory of his stored weapons, and quietly began laying plans for an armed uprising. Though the Scottish independence movement was small, it had historical precedent—and Edward believed he could be the spark to reignite it.

Later that day, Edward visited Jim at his La Mesa arcade. He shared his plan. Jim was stunned, but not surprised. After everything, a grand move was expected. Though skeptical, Jim offered his support—and a few weapons. It wasn’t much, but it was something.

When Giuseppe returned and resettled in Paleto Bay, Edward began closing the final chapter of his Los Santos life. His famed nightclub shut its doors, but not before one final celebration. That night, Billy, Jim, Giuseppe, and Marty gathered with Edward one last time, raising their glasses to battles fought and friendships tested.

When morning came, Billy and Jim accompanied Edward to the airport. There were no tears, just nods of mutual respect. As Edward boarded the plane, he looked back once—and then stepped forward.

His destination: Scotland.

His goal: revolution.

==== The Revolution ====
After arriving in Scotland, Edward immediately activated his global connections. He called in favours from allies in Italy, Japan, and the United States—former soldiers, mercenaries, and criminals with nothing to lose. Over the next two weeks, Edward quietly stockpiled weapons, recruited loyalists, and prepared for the most ambitious undertaking of his life: a violent revolution to guarantee Scotland's independence.

The revolution began in Aberdeen. Edward and his forces swiftly took control, marching south to Glasgow. There, they occupied strategic government sites—Victoria Quay in Edinburgh, St. Andrew’s House, and Atlantic Quay in Glasgow. With the Scottish flag raised high, Edward stood before cameras and crowds and proclaimed the independence of Scotland. Villages and towns along the southern belt were seized in the following days. What began as a calculated rebellion grew into a movement. Scots, disillusioned with their lack of representation and driven by nationalist fervour, joined Edward’s cause. The Royal Liberation Front of Scotland (RLF) was born.

At its peak, the RLF boasted roughly 4,000 to 5,000 armed fighters—many ex-military or former paramilitaries. Their march south was swift and ruthless. Newcastle fell, and soon after, they reached Leeds. The capture was brutal, with street-to-street fighting that left the city scarred. But Edward wasn’t done. His hatred for England—decades in the making—found its expression in one word: Manchester.

He ordered the city sacked.

The brutality shocked the world. Civilians were not spared. Women and children were cut down in the streets as Edward vented every ounce of rage he held toward the United Kingdom. The British government responded by invoking Article 5 of the NATO Alliance. Within weeks, foreign troops from across Europe and North America began deploying into the UK. Manchester became a graveyard. The RLF, once powerful and feared, was now overmatched and overwhelmed. The Battle of Manchester ended in British victory, and with it, the tide turned. The RLF was pushed back on all fronts. Two weeks later, they were surrounded in Edinburgh, the cradle of Edward’s uprising.

Cornered and defeated, Edward made a choice. As his soldiers prepared for a final stand, Edward slipped away, vanishing into the night. He fled to Ireland in secret, vowing to one day return to Los Santos and reclaim what remained of his legacy. In the chaos of the revolution, Edward’s true identity was exposed. Known to most in Los Santos as Edward McHaggis, he was revealed to the world as Edward McBane—a petty street criminal turned failed revolutionary. The exposure stripped away the last of his anonymity.

Interpol placed Edward on its most-wanted list, branding him a global threat. A bounty of $7.5 million was issued for his capture, dead or alive. In the aftermath of the uprising, the UK established an international peace force across Scotland to suppress any future rebellions. Surveillance intensified, borders were locked down, and the Royal Liberation Front was officially declared a terrorist organization. By the time the dust had settled, ten thousand people were dead. Edward had gone from underworld kingpin to fugitive revolutionary—and he had left an island in flames behind him.

=== Return of the Smuggler ===
Around February 20th, Edward returned to Los Santos. But the man who came back was not the same. His eyes carried the weight of failure. He was still angry—at the English for crushing [[Edward McHaggis:The First Scottish Revolution|his revolution]], and at his fellow Scots for not rising up beside him. Paranoia crept in. He talked about giving it another shot, but his bank accounts were dry and his power base gone.

With little choice, Edward approached Jim in Los Santos for work. The two collaborated on a few low-level jobs, but Jim noticed the change. Edward was colder, more erratic. His mind still lingered in the ashes of Scotland.

Then, things got worse.

On March 3rd, Hans Naumann was seen landing at Sandy Shores Airport. Within weeks, drug prices began to plummet across the state. Simultaneously, Marty—Giuseppe’s son—was kidnapped. The only clue was a message from someone known only as "The Phantom."

Jim and Giuseppe asked Edward for help. Despite his mood, he agreed. Around March 10th, Alexa reached out to Edward and Jim with a lead: strange movements in Grapeseed. Edward suspected it was the Hellraisers and suggested they go "kick ‘em in the arse."

They headed to McKenzie Airfield in Jim’s Terrorbyte. Edward launched a drone to scout the area and was stunned by what he saw—Hans Naumann, back from the shadows. Jim didn’t hesitate. He moved in to intercept, but Hans managed to escape, lifting off before a confrontation could occur. Still, Jim landed a few solid hits on the plane as it lifted off.

The sighting confirmed what Alexa suspected: Hans might be behind Marty’s disappearance. And perhaps something even larger was brewing in the north once again.

Three days later, Edward and Jim returned to McKenzie Airfield in the Terrorbyte to continue the search. Mid-sweep, a massive, weaponized cargo plane appeared on radar. Realizing it was Hans, they fired rockets, initiating a full-on skirmish. The plane responded with 40mm cannon fire, severely damaging the armoured Terrorbyte. Though Hans was forced to retreat, Edward didn’t see it as a victory—it felt petty compared to the scale of his failed revolution.

Soon after, they were attacked by a B-11 Strikeforce, likely piloted by another of Hans’s operatives. Edward shot it down with Terrorbyte’s rockets. As the wreckage fell, a figure ejected. When they captured him, the man revealed he worked for Hans—then shot himself before revealing anything further.

Jim called Alexa to update her, and she advised him to speak with "the old man"—Giuseppe. After meeting, Giuseppe gave his blessing: deal with Hans however necessary.

The next day, Hans contacted Jim, proposing a meeting. They agreed on a quiet gas station near the Tataviam Mountains. It was nighttime when Jim stepped out near the road, both men raising their weapons. Edward watched from above in the drone. Before either could pull the trigger, Hans slipped away again. Another failure.

Disillusioned, Edward was left wondering what had gone wrong—until his phone rang. An anonymous number. It was Hans. Hans proposed a deal: help him execute "the biggest smuggling operation in San Andreas history," and in return, Edward would receive a shipment of weapons—enough to reignite his dream of revolution. Edward, tempted by the chance at rebuilding, accepted.

On March 28th, the two met at a hangar in Fort Zancudo. Edward helped Hans close the deal. Two days later, they reconvened at Thomson Scrapyard. Hans delivered on his promise, arranging a shipment to Edward’s private warehouse abroad.

But Hans had one condition: help him survive. Knowing others were closing in, he needed Edward’s protection. That night, Alexa tracked Hans to the Observatory. Jim and Edward arrived. Jim raised his WM29 pistol, ready to end it. But Edward—keeping his word—drew his weapon on Jim. Jim, stunned, lowered his gun. Hans escaped once again. Jim, hurt and betrayed, asked why. Edward answered plainly: only Hans could supply the weapons he needed. “You broke my trust,” Jim said, before walking away. For Edward, it was a dark victory. He had what he wanted—supplies for another revolution. And this time, he wouldn’t fail.