Chapter 1: Jade's Disobedience
"You never let me do anything, why did I have to be born into this family!" Jade screamed as she slammed the door to her room behind her. She began to cry as she hurled herself onto the bed and buried herself in her pillow. Jade just couldn't see the dangers of going out into the city. Broker was her home, it was all she knew. The rest of Liberty City was nothing more than a figment of her imagination, or a click away on the television. Being the daughter and heir to the Lee household meant that her life was set in stone. She had to learn her family's ways and follow in her father's footsteps, but it wasn't what she wanted. Jade heard footsteps approaching her door, she decided to pretend as if she was asleep as the door began to open. Suddenly it closed and voices could be heard from behind it. "Is she alright?" Huang asked as he turned away from the door. "I'm sure she's fine, let me talk to her. "Nijan said as she opened the door to her room. "Thank you Master Nijan, report back to me when things have been handled." Huang said. "I understand, now go on before she wakes up!" Nijan said jokingly as she closed the door behind her with a smile on her face. Nijan sat down next to Jade "Wake up honey, I already know you're not asleep." Jade continued the charade and remained silent. "Oh so you're going to keep it going huh? Let's see how long you last when I do this!" Nijan dug her hands into Jade's stomach making her instantly wake up and laugh as she attempted to keep Nijan from tickling her. "Ahhh! Hahaha! Stop I submit!(Wǒ fàngqì)" Jade screamed while laughing at the same time. "Oh you do huh? Hahaha!" Nijan shouted as she finally stopped tickling Jade. "Feeling better I hope? So what's been going on with you hun?" Nijan asked. Jade sat up and wiped the tears from her face. "Father has been making me miserable. Why can't I leave and explore Liberty City? I'm 17 years old and I'll be 18 in about a week." Jade said. "Jade your father just wants to protect you, he knows the dangers out there and doesn't want to expose them to you. We are in a war hun." Jade plopped back into bed "Yeah I know. I just want freedom, is that too much to ask?" Jade asked as she hugged her plushie. "You can explore Broker, our clan runs this part of town. "There's uncle Kenny's restaurant, you can say hi to your cousin Hu while you're there. Let's see.. Oh there's the cabaret club, the amusement park, the bowling alley? Also there's plenty of children your age that live in this part of town." Nijan said as she leaved over to comfort Jade. "I mean yes, but I don't like the children here. I'd rather just talk to my family." Jade said. "Well how about Cousin Chueo out in Hong Kong? Better step up your mandarin if you want to speak to her haha!" Nijan said as she laughed. "Haha that's actually a great idea, XièXiè Mǔqīn. (Thank you mother)" Jade said as she began to hug Nijan. As she held Jade she began to think about where her real mother could be. After all she left Huang in order for Jade to come to America. Sources say that she became a soldier for The Order of the Jade Dragon, an organization that has pursued The Lee Household for over a century and will not stop until Jade's side of the family either hands over the Yu-Jian, or is wiped off of the face of the earth. Nijan then began to think about her husband Yousheng who stayed in Hong Kong to run the clan with Red Pole (Lieutenant) Ai Lee, the last time she spoke to him was during a Life invader video call a few weeks ago. "Jade don't call me your mother, I'm only your guardian. We've been over this." Nijan said as she looked down at Jade. Nijan Lee has raised and trained Jade alongside Dragon Head (Triad Leader) Huang Lee ever since she was old enough lift a fist. Over time Nijan grew to love Jade as her own daughter. She swore an oath to protect her and the Lee household and has upheld her promise to this day. She also recruits new clan members and is in charge of security until they find a second Red Pole or promote a Blue Lantern (Representative) to run the new members in the household. "I understand that, but you're the closest thing to my mother. All I have of my mother is a photograph and foggy memories." Jade then reaches for the picture on the counter next to her and brings it back to the bed to show Nijan. "I've always wondered what she was like, could you tell me about her?" Jade asked. Nijan places the photo back on the counter and looks at the time on her watch, "Sure ,but you have to move over first." Nijan said as she jumped onto the bed next to Jade. She kisses Jade on the forehead as Jade snuggles up next to her. "OK so your mother Chen was literally a female version of your father; She was strong willed, intelligent, and very dangerous. She fought alongside your father back in Hong Kong against the Order before you were born. She had no immediate family, except her father who she'd been looking for ever since she married into our family. Before she became a Lee, her maiden name was Laì. The Laì clan, known throughout China as a family of assassins, had aided the Lee household before they were exterminated by the government long ago." Jade looked up. "Do you have any idea as to where her father is now?" Jade asked. "I wish I knew. He would've been a great help to our cause." Nijan said. Suddenly Nijan's watch began to ring. She looks at her watch. "So it's time." Nijan thought to herself. Jade sat up on her bed as Nijan prepared to leave. "What's the alarm for?" Jade asked. Nijan checks her AP pistol and then conceals it under her trenchcoat. "The coke we imported should be arriving in about an hour, I'm going with Uncle Kenny to make sure that everything goes well during the exchange at the docks." Nijan said as she opened the door. "Go over to Hu's place and ask her to monitor the surveillance cameras once I leave, I wouldn't mind an eye in the sky for this exchange." Nijan said as she began to open the door. Jade jumped up and hugged Nijan and this made her smile. "Be safe." Jade said as she removed her hold from Nijan. She didn't speak, but continued to smile as she closed the door behind her; She knew that there was no guarantee that she would make it out alive and couldn't lie to Jade by saying that she will be fine. She made her way toward the end of the hallway and headed toward the elevators that lead to the garage in the basement below. Suddenly her phone began to ring. Knowing who it is she instantly began to speak as she pushed the down button for the elevator. "Is everything in place Kenny? Good I'll be there in about 5 minutes, have the money ready." *Ding!* the light on the elevator turned on signaling that it was on the first floor and the Jade Dragon insignia on the doors began to open. "Your men are checking the perimeter as we speak Guardian Nijan" Huang said as Nijan stepped into the elevator. She hit the basement button and placed her balled right fist into her open left palm to which Huang mirrored. "Wǒmen shàngshēng! (We Rise!)" Huang stated as he began to bow. "Wǒmen shàngshēng! (We Rise!)" Nijan replied. She bowed as the doors closed behind her. Meanwhile Jade turned on her PC to check up on cousin Chueo (16), Niece of Huang Lee and daughter of Ai Lee, the leader of the Hong Kong branch in China. Chueo has been fighting alongside her mother and her Guardian, Yousheng since she was 13 years old. Due to her exceptional skills and being a close member of the royal family, she quickly rose in the ranks and became a member of the clan. Due to her age, however she is limited to smaller duties and cannot rank up past Blue Lantern. (Representative) She is currently in charge of the drug running and extortion for the clan which Yousheng oversees until she comes of age. "Ni Hao Chueo!" (Hello Chueo!) Jade says as the camera turns on. Ai also steps into the camera as Chueo begins to speak. "Ni Hao Jade, Wǒmen xiǎng nǐ!" (Hello Jade, we miss you!) Ai interrupted as she hugged Chueo. Embarrassed Chueo tries to push her mother away, but her mother wouldn't let go. "Māmā nǐ ràng wǒ hěn!" (Mother you're embarrassing me!) Chueo stated. Ai finally let go and began to laugh. "Oh so you're too old to hug your mother? Well miss grown up, go ahead and wash the dishes and clean the kitchen before dinner, the clan is getting hungry." Ai stated. Jade began to laugh and it made Chueo upset. She placed her hands over her mouth to muffle her next words due to her mother's excellent hearing. "Biǎo zi" (Bitch!) Chueo whispered under her voice. "Oh so I guess since I'm a bitch I don't have to take the car out to the river to fill up the water containers tonight. Take a few of the rookies with you grown up!" Ai stated as her voice echoed in the distance. Jade laughed again and Chueo placed her hands over her face in shame. "Hey" Chueo said as she opened her hands up to see Jade. "Hey you all speak English now, when did you learn?" Jade asked. "A few months ago actually, we recruited a new member and he taught mom and I." Chueo said as she leaned back in her chair. "I see. So where are you? Is that the family bunker in the Gobi Desert?" Jade asked. "Yes it is. Luxurious isn't it? We've been out here for a few years now. Once the order has stopped looking for us then we will return. So how have you been Jade? Have you decided to join the clan yet?" Chueo asked. "I mean even though I love my family, I don't want to be Dragon Head when my father steps down. I just want to live a normal life. Go out and explore Liberty city, go to a normal school with normal people. is that too much to ask for?" Jade asked while beginning to pace in front of the camera. "The way I see it, you're heir to the Jade Dragon clan. You should be able to do what you want." Chueo said. "Exactly so why can't I? I'll tell you why, because my father believes that the order has made their way to Liberty City and has gathered intelligence on where the Yu-Jian is. That old sword is in the goddamn living room. I can't leave Broker because of it. Can't we just give it to them and move on with our lives?" Jade asked. "Do you really think that they will just let this family go after what out fathers before us have done? Think about the history of our clan Jade, they will kill us whether we hand over that blade or not!" Chueo stated. Jade looked at Chueo and began to sit down. "Yeah you're right, but I still want to be able to make my own decisions one day, not live my days off of a schedule. I want to see Liberty City and everything it has to offer, hell I want to travel the world. I'm tired of being here!" Jade said. "Well then it's simple, just leave." Chueo said. "It's not that simple, there are armed blue lanterns guarding the perimeter all day, everyday. There's no getting out unless I ask and even then I will have an escort." Jade said as she stood up and directed the webcam toward the window. "What about cousin Hu? She's in charge of surveillance and she's a great hacker. Why not ask her to find a hole in their security for you?" Chueo asked. Suddenly Jade's eyes opened. She may have found the answer that she was looking for. "Oh my god, I love you Chueo! You're a genius! Xièxiè" (Thank you) Jade said as she began turning off her PC. "You're welcome Jade." Chueo said. "I have to go to Cousin Hu's restaurant. Talk later Chueo? Again Wǒ ài nǐ "(I love you) Jade said as she waved to Chueo and smiled. Chueo smiled and waved back at Jade "Wǒ yě ài nǐ, zàijiàn" (I love you too, Goodbye.) Chueo said as the computer ended the call and began to shut itself down. Jade grabbed her messenger bag, put on her skinny jeans and high top sneakers and rushed out of her room toward the front door downstairs.