When the Dark One threatened the existence of all life itself, the five greatest heroes from across the Empire banded together to vanquish him once and for all. Escorted by a unit of the Emperor's finest soldiers, they traveled to the Gates of Despair, beyond which lay the heart of the Dark One's realm. Leaving the soldiers to hold the Gates as best they could, the five heroes fought their way onward to the Tower of Damnation, there to make their final stand.
A mighty battle was fought, but the heroes triumphed, successfully conducting the ritual to banish the Dark One from the world. Unfortunately, in the process all of the heroes were slain. Knowing this was a possibility and sensing it would be bad for the morale of the citizens were they to learn of the deaths of the heroes, the Emperor and his advisors came up with a cunning plan. Lookalikes were hired to appear in a triumphant parade to reassure everyone that all was well. That's where you come in. After performing your part, you were given a truly staggering amount of money and told to disappear, never to speak of your role in the deception, under pain of death.
That was ten years ago, and there's a knock at the door...

London. Winter. 1963.

It is a year since the Cold War went hot.

And this was not just a nuclear war.

Far more sinister, darker weapons were deployed from the shadows.

Survival and re-building are all that matter now. But human nature and tragic circumstances mean that everyone has their own ambitions.

...a Government desperate to hold on to what remains of the country.

...military forces who wish to expand their power and influence.

...frightened and brutalised refugees who simply want a place to call home.

Into this maelstrom steps the Special Situations Group, a motley band of men and women tasked with the jobs too dirty or dangerous for anyone else.

'Things Fall Apart' is a Hot War scenario written by Scott Dorward for the Hot War Transmission Issue 2.