Plot Information

[Chavah]

Triad (simplified Chinese: 三合会; traditional Chinese: 三合會; pinyin: Sānhéhuì; literally "Triad Society") is a term used to describe many branches of Chinese criminal organizations based in Hong Kong, Vietnam, Macau, Taiwan, China, and also in countries with significant Chinese populations, such as Malaysia, Singapore, the United States, Canada, Australia and the United Kingdom. The nine triads were Wo Hop To, Wo Shing Wo, Rung, Tung, Chuen, Shing, Sun Yee On, 14K and Luen. Each of them had its own headquarters, its sub-societies and public covers.

Triads have been engaging in counterfeiting since the 1880s. Between the 1960s and 1970s, triads were involved in counterfeiting Chinese currency, often of the Hong Kong 50-cent piece. In the same decade, the gangs were also involved in copying books, usually expensive ones, and selling them in the black market. With the advent of new technology and the improvement of the average person's standard of living, triads have progressed to producing counterfeit goods such as watches, film VCDs / DVDs and designer apparel such as clothing and handbags. Triads currently engage in a variety of crimes from extortion and money laundering to trafficking and prostitution. They also are involved in smuggling and counterfeiting goods such as music, video, and software as well as more tangible goods such as clothes, watches, and money

Triads use numeric codes to distinguish between ranks and positions within the gang; the numbers are inspired by Chinese numerology based on the I Ching. "489" refers to the "mountain" or "dragon" master, while 438 is used for the "deputy mountain master". "426" refers to a "military commander", also known as a "Red Pole", overseeing defensive and offensive operations, while "49" denotes a "soldier" or rank-and-file member. The "white paper fan" (415) provides financial and business advice, and the "straw sandal" (432) functions as a liaison between different units. "25" refers to an undercover law enforcement agent or spy from another triad, and has become popularly used in Hong Kong as a slang for "traitor".

Triad members are subject to initiation ceremonies. A typical ceremony takes place at an altar dedicated to Guan Yu, with incense and an animal sacrifice, usually a chicken, pig or goat. After drinking a mixture of wine and blood of the animal or the candidate, the member will pass beneath an arch of swords while reciting the triad's oaths. The paper on which the oaths are written will be burnt on the altar to confirm the member's obligation to perform his duties to the gods. Three fingers on the left hand will be raised as a binding gesture.

[Chavah]

The government of America is now based on the concept of Meritocracy. This is a system of a government or other organization wherein appointments are made and responsibilities assigned based on demonstrated talent and ability of a citizen. Full rights are only granted to those, whom have willingness to sacrifice themselves in the common interest of the nation.

According to official papers from the Department of Information: The democracies of the 20th century, collapsed because "people had been led to believe that they could simply vote for whatever they wanted... and get it, without toil, without sweat, without tears. No one can stop anyone from pursuing happiness, but life and liberty are said to exist only if they are deliberately sought and paid for."

Suffrage belongs only to those willing to serve their society by two years of volunteer Federal Service in any of the Armed Services — "the franchise is today limited to discharged veterans only" instead of just anyone "...who is 18 years old and has a body temperature near 37°C." The Armed Forces are required to find a place for anyone who desires to serve, regardless of his/her skill or aptitude (this also includes dangerous non-military work such as serving as experimental medical test subjects). However, these two years are not going to be easy ones. Less than 10-15% last more than six months.

Registered Citizen/Unregistered Citizen:
A differential classification for residents of the US was established by the American Congress as a means of regulating resource distribution amongst the residents. Registered Citizens are officially sanctioned residents who are able to receive healthcare, schooling, welfare, and other amenities from the government.

Unregistered Citizens, on the other hand, cannot receive municipal healthcare or many of the other amenities offered to Registered Citizens. While the Unregistered Citizens are not illegal occupants of the city per se, they are often regarded, both officially and effectively, as the lower caste among the residents of the city. Many live in the older, run down parts of cities.

While the original means of establishing the differentiation between the two groups is undisclosed, the classification system is maintained largely based on familial ties. All biological offspring of Registered Citizens are considered to also be Registered Citizens. In addition, each married pair of Registered Citizens is able to adopt one Unregistered Citizen as a child. As a result, the child becomes reclassified as a Registered Citizen. Conversely, offspring and wards of Unregistered Citizens will also be classified as Unregistered Citizens.

In summary: "The noblest fate that a man can endure is to place his own mortal body between his loved home and war's desolation.”

[Chavah]

"We had to destroy Los Angeles in order to save it."

That is what the government has revealed to us. Greetings listeners. This is DJ Jazzhands on Seattle's 104.02 FM "THE GENESIS FACTOR."

It was during the 300 Troubles back 25 years ago....

Los Angeles was a hotbed of culture, a head for "alternative media"... Propaganda that was against the wishes of the government...There were movies idolizing "brave" new trends... It was an unimaginable sea of lights and color where everyone who ever dreamed of fame or fortune went to make something of themselves....

But why was it destroyed? Did the people of city dreamed of creating a new religion? Was it corruption and greed? Biological outbreak? Insurgency against the Altered? Food riots caused by the massive city not being able to sustain the Unregistered?

Federal Department of Public Safety

Los Angeles ruins were once the jewel of the world now the Hollywood sign stands sentry over nothing more than crumbling shells of sky scrapers and rubble-clogged streets. The destruction of the city in near complete. Nova Corps (currently the only organization outside of the air force authorized to fly over the ruins) have shown almost all of the taller buildings knocked over forming impassable walls of rubble. Gangs still seem to wander the city and sometimes fire at low flying aircraft and it is believed that any attempt to flush them out would lead to them hiding among the labyrinth of wreckage and shells of buildings making any attempt to secure the ruins too costly to be feasible.

The area has been declared off limits to civilians and the contract to keep unauthorized personnel from entering has recently been awarded to Nova Corps. They are authorized to use force and attempt to enter Los Angeles county and the surrounding region is not advised. Doing so will result in a minimum of 5 years in prison. Despite it being 25 years since the incident there is no evidence it has become any safer. Dangers both natural and human are detained in document HL-4573 (unavailable for public viewing).

A disaster that occurred approximately 10 years before the story starts, where an overly large building that was owned by Nova Corps was hit by a massive explosion. This caused widespread death and destruction from the falling debris.

It was later verified that the Blast Fall was caused by a powerful laser, fired from a military class weapon; and was shot into Nova Corps. The laser discharge converted itself into a massive, powerful lightning that obliterated the old NOVA headquarters. The blast destroyed everything near the location of ground zero.

All the characters involved with this event remember it well. Some lost loved ones or became injured...

[Chavah]

The past century has seen a lot of change in the Russian federation.

Thr government hold little of the real power as generals and crimelords fold much of the land's resources and influence under wraps. Or at leas thats how it look son the surface. In truth many of the generals and crimelords all answer to one man. Kazor Rostova, the right hand of the premier and many would say the real ruler of the roost.

Perhaps this is why even though foreign governments see the land ineffectually governed, generals and rogue elements vying for control and power, one spoken word could bring the entire steamroller to bear.

A hint of this was seen 50 years ago then the rising dragon of the Chinese republic though to grab key oil fields in the Mongolian desert. Within a week thousands of tank baring the red star threatened they borders and they saved face by firing a single shot before withdrawing.

There has been an uneasy peace between the two nations that the both the Russian and Chinese propaganda machines tout as a great alliance when the fact is there are more Chinese operatives in Russia and vice versa than at the disposal of the US, the UN and Europe combined.

The Russians stole the Chinese civilian rocket technology and turned it into a new generation of nuclear capable missiles while the new "dragon" tanks the chinese are rolling out of their factories bare a suspicious resemblance to the T-87s that have been Russia's mainstay since their development ten years ago.

Both side view the USA and Europe with suspicious too, but the Russian mafia is far more active in those regions that their intelligence agencies.

So while mast see the Russians and a country barely above a feudal government it is merely the sleeping bear, its claws and teeth hidden but it's eyes and ears open. Awaiting Kazor's word to spring into action.

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