Shake it Up
[comments:(2), views:(5307), rating:(2.0)]

Author: Brett Hegr
Homepage: http://www.users.uswest.net/~bhegr/main.htm
System: Heroes Unlimited
Type: Hook
Category: Super Hero
Requirements:

Hook: An unknown villain has threatened to bomb commercial centers (malls, department stores, highway intersections, etc.) unless the city pays a ransom of ten million dollars.

Line: The bomber plans to set off three bombs to prove his intent. The PCs should be caught in one of these three events, so they have a chance to see first-hand what happens. If the ransom isn't paid, the bomber threatens put one in a crowded area every day until he gets his ransom. However, investigation of an explosion zone will reveal that the damage seems more like it was caused by an earthquake than an explosive device (obvious to anyone with demolition skills or a military education). Police will try to withhold this fact from the public, to avoid the chaos that an unknown mutant can cause. The FBI is also present, because they suspect the supervillain Earthmover could be involved.

Sinker: The bombs aren't actually bombs! Earthmover and Verdant (pg. 145 of Villains Unlimited^tm) are stirring up trouble by creating earthquakes in densely traveled areas. Earthmover doesn't delight in random murder, but then he doesn't much care about the lives of others and is interested in big money. His instructions are to create the chaos (while in his human form, to cover the fact that he's causing it), while Verdant takes care of getting the money. The ransom is to be dropped into the middle of a park by a lone officer. Earthmover is nearby in street clothes to make sure this happens. Verdant will then use his ability to control plants to bring the money to him (the park is the perfect place for that).