SLA Industries
Newheart Square can be found in the Wentmore Sector of Downtown. It covers levels 15-16 and so has a fair level of population though practically all are unemployed. It is an area of run down housing blocks and some factory sites. When the players arrive it is shadowy, darkened and the streets have a reasonable covering of pedestrians as well as the occasional bus, truck or cab. Occasionally a tube train emerges from a tunnel to run across an above ground track before disappearing once more. On the overhead roadways, giant transports weave their way between the buildings, their exhaust fumes adding to the ever present fog.
Greeting the players is a small protest being staged by a handful of civilians. It is rare, and dangerous, for the public to feel strongly enough to protest openly about anything which would explain the request for Operatives for such a small gathering. A handful of SHIVERs are trying to talk to the protesters but are being shouted down. The entertainment has drawn a number of spectators who gather on walkways and pavements. STREETWISE players will recognise members of both the “Warlords” and the “Berenyi Buddies” gangs. Those making a roll against SLA INFO or BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION will remember that Berenyi Light Arms took a Lawsuit out against the gang for copyright infringement. The suit was upheld although strangely the gang appears not to have taken any notice. Two camera crews (“The Smiley Station” and “Community Carnage Channel”) are lounging nearby, looking bored. The assembled crowd will become more attentive when the players arrive.
The SHIVERs sergeant (Openheimer) will be only too eager to turn the matter over to the players. The protesters will jeer “Wondered how long it would be before they unleashed the hounds.” and “I suppose you’ve come to shut us up. Well the people will be heard
The players may attempt DIPLOMACY or COMMUNIQUÉ skills and should be careful of what they say as the press is watching (though not yet filming as talking is pretty boring). The protesters will complain about the poor air quality, the heavy traffic, and the lack of decent food stores since the local SHACK-O-SNACKS TM megamarket was destroyed by Operatives. They will also complain about the pollution from the local factories especially that given out by Gorsky Bio-Products and Metalic Spring Chemicals. If the players check these claims they will discover that the manager of the SHACK-O-SNACKS TM was a Darknight convert selling black market items through the store. The store was damaged during his arrest by the investigating Squad (“Babes with Blades”).
“The people have had enough,” claims the spokesperson Benny Bennett, “don't be surprised if we take action”. If the players ask what sort of action they will be told, “We are a peaceful group but there are those who want more direct action. We know what’s right, we know what’s due to us. If SLA won’t do anything the people will”.
At this point the SHIVERs will be fidgeting with their Pacifier Batons. Being good Operatives the players will no doubt advise the protesters against any vigilante actions or they may question them about these others. Benny Bennet will call out, “You’re too late, something had to be done. The people cannot be kept down”, this exclamation is followed by a great rushing sound.
DETECT rolls will identify the source of the sound and the players will be surprised to see a great trail of smoke given out by some sort of launched rocket speeding it’s way skyward between the buildings. Quick observation will identify the source of the rocket as a pair of men standing together some distance off, one still holds the launcher by his side. A Roll against WEAPONS MAINTENANCE identifies the launcher as a Warcraft “Roadkill” SRR 120 Repeater. A military issue anti-vehicular rocket launcher with a secondary Anti-Aircraft capacity. It has a magazine of four HEAP rockets mounted pepperpot style. Both men are standing staring at the rocket in awe as it flies away and have forgotten to run. Its target would appear to be a huge road transport currently rumbling its’ was across the Hangerford suspended roadway.
Time appears to stand still as the rocket flies towards the unsuspecting transport. The crowd cheers, the SHIVERs swear and the protesters rejoice. The enjoyment factor is short lived however as the rocket crashes into the roadway and explodes. The transport lurches, slues across the road, crashing into a taxi, which is knocked through the roads retaining wall and begins to fall. The transport meanwhile lurches drunkenly through the hole, plunges through some power cables and into the side of a building, the Metallic Spring Chemical Plant. The crowds' cheers turn to screams. As time seems to right itself the two men turn and run, the crowd scatter, the car lands on the rails of a suspended train line running beneath the roadway and the transport explodes. Whatever was in the transport scatters from the vehicle across the sector. The players may take whatever action they wish.
Comments / questions to Martin Wheeler