voidtreckermods: (voidtrain)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] voidtreckerexpress2021-02-01 06:00 am

A New Platform [Intro Post February]

On the Train

Three days after the Voidtreckers return to the void after their adventures on the biosphere world, they are awoken by a familiar announcement.

"Good morning passengers, it is day Sixteen of the month of Jelly. Points have been updated on the system."

They have indeed, and everyone can spend the morning shopping. Those who have been on the train for a while will also be expecting the second announcement that comes a few hours later.

"Shortly arriving into a designated void platform. Exit from void in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one." A lurch and a jolt and the windows fill with the fog that means they are at a platform. The fog seems thicker than usual and as they step out onto the platform they will find it is cold, very cold. Icy fog sticks to their clothing, makes it hard to see very far; the atmosphere is dark and gloomy.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers: Alexis Rhodes, Elfnein, Itsuki Myoudouin, Ken Ichijouji, MT, Neku Sakuraba, Nike Lemercier, Noctis Lucis Caelum, Rainbow Dash, Rei Saotome, Taichi Yagami, Tsubomi Hanasaki, Yuri Tsukikage and Zechs Merquise all pass through the platform, not looking back before they disappear through the barriers and into the fog beyond.

But on the platform itself there are new faces. Wearing hoodies in all four colours, in various states of confusion.

For New Passengers

At first all they can see is steam, billowing around them as they come to their senses. As their eyes adjust, they will see they are on a platform, glass and dark stone rising in sturdy arches around them. Behind them is a set of barriers, and in front of them is a single track extending both ways into thick fog.

They are standing, in clothes that are not their own and a style they might not even recognise. They are carrying a rucksack on their back. For a moment it seems to just be them, alone in the white haze; then the steam begins to fade and they realise they aren’t alone.

The platform is not large with sixteen figures scattered around, all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. To both the left and right, tracks disappear into the mist. Then there is a roaring sound and out of the fog arrives a train. Jet black with gold writing on the side. The Voidtrecker Express. There is a hiss as the doors slide open and out step a strange assortment of people. Some are human, some are less so. Most are wearing the same hoodie in one of the four colours, red, orange, blue and purple, though some are sporting different clothes in a variety of styles.

The Train

After a short time, the doors hiss open again. Those from the train may encourage those on the platform to board. It’s not like there's anywhere else to go and even if there was, you feel a pull. A need to board, a feeling that staying on the platform would lead to something terrible. If that is not enough, there are plenty of people on the platform now, to encourage them onto the train.

Each ICP shows the same message and next to the screens there are stacks of leaflets written by those on the train, with further information (see
'Publications'). The store rooms have been restocked with fresh ingredients, including several crates of avocados, the ingredient of the month of Jelly, as well as all sundries.

For passengers that have bought items, these are also scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags.

New passengers will find their ticket allows them into their cabins. They may need to negotiate for beds, especially if they want a top bunk!

Room is tight but there are storage cubbies at the head of each bed, beds fold up and the bottom bunks double as benches for the small table. There is storage under those benches full of spare blankets and pillows.

Departure

A second horn sounds to encourage any stragglers braving the freezing fog, and the doors slide shut. Veteran passengers know what will happen next, but they may wish to brief their new companions.

The train sets off, the fog obscuring the view again as it picks up speed.

"Welcome aboard, passengers of the Voidtrecker Express." A female-coded artificial sounding voice echoes throughout the train. "Please take the time to read the passenger information displayed on the Information and Communication points and familiarise yourself with the layout and emergency exits."

The train begins to tilt, leaving the ground and rising up into the fog-filled sky.

"Entrance into Voidspace imminent. New passengers are advised to remain seated. Entry into Voidspace in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one."

A shudder, a jolt, a lurch to the left. A flash of light, colourful and blinding. As quick as it happens it is done. The train seems to steady itself. The fog from the windows is gone now, replaced with a kaleidoscope of ever-changing colours.

Welcome to the Void!
makeadragonwannaretire: (thinking lipstick)

[personal profile] makeadragonwannaretire 2021-02-13 11:31 pm (UTC)(link)
Azula studies them for a moment and then shrugs. "Functional is important of course but one shouldn't sacrifice comfort when you deserve both."

Even if she doesn't expect custom fittings anymore.
forleaving: (007)

[personal profile] forleaving 2021-02-13 11:32 pm (UTC)(link)
The idea of having kids made Adam laugh briefly. It was better to laugh than give in to the deep-rooted fear that he would turn out like his father.

"No. But I remember what it's like to be a kid," he said. "And people, no matter how old they are, are shaped by what they go through. Kids are easily impressionable."
makeadragonwannaretire: (Pouty meh)

[personal profile] makeadragonwannaretire 2021-02-13 11:35 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well I would hope if I was being forced into something like this against my will I was at least surrounded by people on my level."

Little did she know she might actually be out of her depths among some of these power houses. She's already wondering what sort of weaknesses Zelda might have in case she ever needs to exploit them.

"But is it clear who among us is smartest or strongest? Any obvious leaders amongst this rabble?"
makeadragonwannaretire: (Wahtever)

[personal profile] makeadragonwannaretire 2021-02-13 11:37 pm (UTC)(link)
Somehow having vague numbers was not particularly comforting to Azula, but she was also starting to suspect there would be less solid and scientific answers the more she dug into this situation.

"And no one chooses to leave of their own volition. They have to wait to be sent back." Azula continued pausing for confirmation that she had been told correctly by one of the passengers earlier.

"I still can't quite get past that. It seems so chaotic and random and that's not how I usually do things."
makeadragonwannaretire: (Ugh this is bullshit)

[personal profile] makeadragonwannaretire 2021-02-13 11:39 pm (UTC)(link)
"A game room...how charming for a magic rolling prison train." She muttered clearly more irritated by the illusion of choice then she was by the promise of jigsaws.

"I do appreciate you offering to help." she added perhaps realizing she might lose helpful information if she alienated someone offering to help her.
makeadragonwannaretire: (Zulapunch)

[personal profile] makeadragonwannaretire 2021-02-13 11:42 pm (UTC)(link)
Thankfully she had, so she wasn't too distracted by the horror story that was being pitched to her.

"I should hope so. There must be some way of either avoiding it or destroying it. Even if we can't now imagine being the sort of hero to figure out how to punch something like a planet eater out of existence."
forleaving: (008)

[personal profile] forleaving 2021-02-13 11:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Quietly, Adam did so, getting the eggs and milk. Of course, now that his hands were full was the moment he was struck with the urge to shake hands. Reining in his politeness, he said instead, "I'm Adam. It's nice to meet you."
makeadragonwannaretire: (Sitpout)

[personal profile] makeadragonwannaretire 2021-02-13 11:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Azula would for the time being have to trust this girls sense of people. After all if they were all here to be punished that meant everyone was more dangerous.

Best to be optimistic until given a reason not to in that department.

"Even though it's not your fault you're here? What would be the point of being mad at you?"
yondu: (0 9 1)

[personal profile] yondu 2021-02-13 11:55 pm (UTC)(link)
She is way too young for that. Yondu's already lived his life. It's no wonder she likes it here, if she has something like that waiting on her.

"Well, if I told you all that about my boy and Ego- that was the big bastard's name -and stuff, how about you tell me about this thing you gotta fight?"

And what the hell could make a teenager have to sacrifice herself to save people, and waste a whole life ahead of her? He's not gonna knock it, it'd be hypocritical of him, but it does chafe him to know that in a world full of people (he assumes) someone is putting that on her.
makeadragonwannaretire: (You have nothing to threaten me with.)

[personal profile] makeadragonwannaretire 2021-02-14 12:03 am (UTC)(link)
"I'm not sure. Probably not." Azula muttered a bit too honestly still watching Kitty with sharp, judging eyes.

"I'm trying to figure out the layout of this place seeing as I am apparently stuck here and I find it a bit...strange that there should still be a normal looking train car with all the other cars I've seen so far. What purpose does it serve us?"
nutkrusher: (Confidence)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2021-02-14 12:13 am (UTC)(link)
"'Course not," Cassie says. "I've made a point of ordering some clothes and armor. Plus weapons, but, y'know...that's a whole different thing."
marvelous_murderbot: (curious)

[personal profile] marvelous_murderbot 2021-02-14 12:17 am (UTC)(link)
She pursed her lips for a moment, looking at the train.

"I am not certain this train has an under that would consume them, given its nature," she replied. "No, I would adopt the simple expedient of snapping their necks. Efficient and with a minimum of pain."

And her look said this was not her first wish, but it also said it might be a necessary one.

"You must understand," she adds, concerned she will appear monstrous, "my former master was a violent manipulator, in every regard - with pheromones to add compulsion, in the mix. In a closed environment, he could do tremendous damage very quickly."
wizard_redfive: (Default)

[personal profile] wizard_redfive 2021-02-14 12:27 am (UTC)(link)
Dairine gives the little creature a thoughtful stare.

"I don't think I ran into this one. But if it's a Pokemon, then the sounds it makes should be parts of the species' name."

She smiles just a little at Conan giving the Pokemon a careful pet. Then it immediately drops as Dairine rolls her eyes.

"...Seriously? You are so one track minded."

As if Dairine can talk, with her Mobile named Luke Skywalker.
wizard_redfive: (Default)

Re: Library

[personal profile] wizard_redfive 2021-02-14 12:35 am (UTC)(link)
"It was more of a turn of phrase," she replies drily, though her expression remains the same.

"Obviously it is a laptop. Not Wiztech, I'd wager. I doubt the train has the authority to offer that to someone."

But that doesn't seem to lower her interest any. "Are you gonna be modding it?"
gentle_jim: (haha yeah okay)

[personal profile] gentle_jim 2021-02-14 01:05 am (UTC)(link)
"You're too young for that stuff anyway," Jack grunts, waving a hand dismissively. His technique was totally flawless and he knew it.

"Sure was, princess. Word around here is that this baby has some sort of AI running it and I'm just offering her a good time. You know, AI to AI." He jerks a thumb at his chest, which glows a hard-light holo blue, like the rest of him.
controlsthedie: painterly side profile of Thanatos with purple butterfly (If you take my advice)

[personal profile] controlsthedie 2021-02-14 01:13 am (UTC)(link)
"Sometimes. There's my work, but whether or not it's considered helpful varies."

Being Death does release others from their decaying bodies, but just as many think he's being unhelpful for doing his job.
bakegarasu: (quietly listening)

[personal profile] bakegarasu 2021-02-14 01:21 am (UTC)(link)
"... Not about the yokai thing. About other things... yes. He's... good at being a person. And I'm not..." No. That's not what Ryo wants him to think. "... I'm... new to being thought of as... a person."
guru_clef: (Uplifting smile)

Re: Library

[personal profile] guru_clef 2021-02-14 01:27 am (UTC)(link)
"I don't need to mod it, I created it from scratch myself," he pointed out with a hint of a smile. "And it is mostly tech, but there is some magic as well, to make it easier to use and to remove the requirements of electricity and the danger of overheating." A small magical charm was so much more efficient than a large fan.
miseris_socios: (Default)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-02-14 01:32 am (UTC)(link)
"What are you?" He picks up a card and frowns. Man, his luck... well. After today, he can't really be surprised. "... I have to prove things. Most adults don't take me seriously."
agathokakological: ([272])

[personal profile] agathokakological 2021-02-14 01:59 am (UTC)(link)
"The answer to that question really depends on how your world works. It wouldn’t make sense to you if it didn't work like mine." Crowley replies, wincing slightly in reply. "Well that's stupid. You should be taken as seriously as anyone else."
so_dark_a_road: (in the unmeasured night #2)

[personal profile] so_dark_a_road 2021-02-14 02:13 am (UTC)(link)
"The elders of both worlds were wise about that kind of thing, and that probably came from all that time experimenting." And yes, on the train, that kind of knowledge would be useful. Curufin thought it paid to have more than one medical system represented amongst the doctors and healers.

In the kitchen, the temperature of the air was higher than in the passages, probably because so many people had stopped in to make themselves cups of coffee or tea or chocolate, or heated up meals for themselves in the ovens.

Curufin put some water on to boil and got the tea out of the cupboard and two mugs. Soon, the water was boiling away merrily and he made two cups of tea and brought them to the counter where there were bar stools they could sit on.

"A healing bath for you? That sounds wonderful. You obviously are in good shape for your age, but it can't hurt to nurture the body."
marvelous_murderbot: (Default)

[personal profile] marvelous_murderbot 2021-02-14 02:24 am (UTC)(link)
"May I ask what that is?"

Her opinion on the matter might be...intriguing, given her nature.
miseris_socios: (huh?)

[personal profile] miseris_socios 2021-02-14 02:25 am (UTC)(link)
He puts the cards down and just looks them in the - well, in the sunglasses. "... Try me."
so_dark_a_road: (the softer side of armageddon)

[personal profile] so_dark_a_road 2021-02-14 02:26 am (UTC)(link)
"True, you have to tell them about safety protocols and make sure they adhere to them. I remember my dad telling me about that one. Even though we were Elves and had bodies that were harder to injure than a mortal's, our retinas could still be damaged when the sun was focused by those glass lenses. He really had to keep track of what I was doing, because I was such a self-willed little brat and was apt to do as I pleased when no one was watching."

"I'm sure Gen would like a vacation! Plenty of time for star-gazing and other enjoyments." He smiled. "But preferably a place that is warm and sunny, so no having to find shelter against miserable weather."

And as for train stories? "That would be nice, wouldn't it? You and Gen do a joint presentation, you speaking about the train, the people, the ubiquitous occurrence of magic, and your experiments, and Gen talking about the amazing places we visited."
achickenformylove: (mdzs 40)

[personal profile] achickenformylove 2021-02-14 02:30 am (UTC)(link)
"It is. They are very happy." Besides, he could always ask to visit WangJi's rabbits as well. WangJi didn't mind others spending time with them.

At that, WangJi couldn't help but smile. "I'm glad that we were able to help with yours."