"Rock 'n' Roll Never Dies", © 1992, 2000-2005 by
Michael C.
LaBossiere, originally appeared in _Challenge_ #59 (pages
18-20).
Text-entry & HTML by:
Steve C.
Rumor has it that some of the major labels have been threatening independent bands to get them to sign. The grapevine also says a major corp was behind the "riot" that killed off that up and coming independent band, Cygnus. Maybe it's true that rock 'n' roll will never die. But rock 'n' rollers do die - and a lot more often than they used to.
This adventure can take place on Earth or one of the more urbanized worlds. The PCs are walking through an urban area when they see a young woman struggling with a man and a woman. The two are trying to force her into a waiting ground car. The young woman is dressed in a somewhat outlandish outfit and is resisting the two with the aid of an electronic guitar. The PCs can either ignore the attack or try to intervene. If the PCs ignore the incident, they will see a report of the woman's death (drug overdose) in the news the next day.
Attackers: If the PCs instead choose to interfere, they should be able to capture or drive off the two attackers. If the attackers are captured, they will say they were hired to find the young woman and bring her to an abandoned warehouse. The two attackers are two-bit muscle and do not know who hired them or why. If the PCs investigate the warehouse the attackers mentioned, they will find it empty, but there are signs of a hasty departure by a small group of people.
Damsel in Distress: The young woman the PCs saved is very talkative. She explains that she is in a band and that her band has been threatened by certain corporations in the past. She thinks the corporations have stopped being polite. She says a few other successful independent bands have been threatened, and the members of at least one band were killed in a faked riot.
Bodyguards: She tells the PCs that she was impressed by the way they handled "those two little problems back there" and offers them a job as bodyguards. She explains that her band will only be in the city for one concert and could use protection in the hotel and during the show. And, if things work out, she might hire the PCs to go on tour.
The young woman is quite right about the corporations. A growing wave of nostalgia has swept a large portion of humanity, and there is a massive market for old-style (20th-21rst century) rock 'n' roll. Most of the corporations are aboveboard, but some have gotten used to exploiting any commodity, including people, as they choose. These corporations are determined to cash in on this nostalgia and are willing to use any means possible, including threats of force and force.
Hotel: The young woman will take the PCs directly to the hotel. If they want to get their equipment first, she asks them to pick it up later. The band is staying at a luxury hotel and has the entire eighth floor of the building - which indicates that the band is doing remarkably well.
While the PCs are being introduced to the rest of the band, a corporate hit team attacks. The attackers enter via the stairs and attempt to kill anyone on the floor. They do not expect the band to have any weapons or guards, so they are quite surprised to see the PCs.
Concert: If the PCs and the band survive the first attempt, the PCs' next job is to guard the band on the way to the concert. The band travels in three ground limos. The trip to the concert hall takes 20-30 minutes, due to the crowds near the concert site. The PCs have to keep the fans from tearing apart the limos and the band members (and themselves). A second hit team will try to take the band out somewhere along the route.
When the limos arrive at the concert site, they drive around back, and the band members head into the dressing room. The PCs are supposed to secure the area. Half an hour after their arrival, the the band will be up on stage. The concert will last approximately four hours. One more hit team will attack the band during the concert.
Protecting the band during the concert is difficult. The concert area is packed with thousands of people, and fans constantly rush towards the stage. Naturally, it would not be very pleasant for the PCs if they gunned down a few fans by accident.
Band: Six Novice (for combat purposes) NPCs.
Roadies: Eight Experienced NPCs.
Others: Three Novice NPCs.
Attackers: Two Experienced NPCs armed with Arno Five-Fifteens.
Hotel Hit Team: Two Veteran NPCs armed with Traylor Model 57s and SG-77s, two Experienced NPCs armed with SG-77s.
Street Hit Team: One Songbird equipped with an MG-7, one Veteran NPC armed with a Stracher P-11mm and the MG-7, two Experienced NPCs armed with Stracher P-11mms and SG-77s.
Concert Hit Team: One Elite NPC armed with a Mueller-Rivera F-19.
The hotel is a luxury hotel with doormen and so forth. It is tastefully decorated with all sorts of valuables. The band has the entire eighth floor, and the elevators only stop on the floor if instructed with a special electric key.
Small Rooms: Each small room is equipped with a bed, desk, closet, bathroom and so forth. The band's road crew is staying here.
Large Rooms: The large rooms are equipped the same as the smaller rooms.
The band members each have a room, as do the managers, press agents, and so forth.
The concert area is a large outdoor structure used for everything from concerts to ballet to political debates.
Ticket Gate: The gate is carefully designed to prevent a crowd from rushing through.
Control: This tower rises over the stage and houses the controls for the stage lights, sound system, special effects and so forth. It also has a camera system that can be used to scan the crowds.