<COMMENT>Twist</COMMENT>
<P><JC><B>--- --- --- ---
<P><JC><B>CHAPTER EIGHT: Triads
<P><JC><B>--- --- --- ---
<P>
<P>The sword killed more men as an argument than it did as a weapon. 
<P>
<P>The triads of Hong Kong were at war. The Luminous Path blamed the Red Arrow for offenses it did not commit, and vice versa. Stuck somewhere in between the two, in the middle, writhing out in the proverbial No Man's Land, was everything and everybody else. Both triads operated openly on the streets. The Chinese government did not interfere, because in their eyes, the triads protected Hong Kong from outside influences, and operated as what they pretended to be: businessmen. Very harsh businessmen. Both groups forced the populous into associating with them, both groups attempted to grow out over the other, to control the city and flourish with strength.
<P>
<P>Presently, however, no such things were being accomplished. The triads had become too destructive, backing even the most minor of all squabbles with force, bringing damage not only upon their enemies, but upon themselves. The Luminous Path frequently shrank back into their abode, Tracer Tong residing amongst them, and the Red Arrow continued to do the same, running their popular club, the Lucky Money.
<P>
<P>The Chinese government had actually become more fond, if you could say they were very fond of either triad, of the Red Arrow because of its influence upon, not only the population of China, but also the economy. The Red Arrow ran its clubs, ran its businesses, but sometime ago, it had crossed a line not meant to be crossed. Its former leader had been discovered stealing from Versalife  forsaken technology  and was murdered soon after. MJ12 was responsible for this death. MJ12 was responsible for Versalife, and when the Red Arrow stepped into its business, it pushed it back out. Forcefully. And then established securities that would make sure it would never happen again.
<P>
<P>The Red Arrow had a pet project, a secret weapon, called the Dragon's Tooth. It was a very special sword that utilized nanotech technology to remain permanently, extraordinarily sharp.