A New Platform [Intro Post February]

[voidtreckermods]

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!

Comments

[makeadragonwannaretire]

[As much as Azula hated to admit, she needed to eat and it was starting to look like there were no servants on this train. She would have to...make do.

This one seemed to have no trouble meeting her gaze so she tried to glare back harshly enough to make it apparent she wasn't supposed to make eye contact.]

You there, you know your way around this kitchen?

[nocawsforconcern]

[Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to... work. Or do anything. Or get much of a reaction from her, at all. She may not be aware Azula's trying to be intimidating.]

Duh. It's so small, it's not like it's hard to navigate.

[Enna that's not what Azula meant.]

[makeadragonwannaretire]

It's less about the size and more about how things work here.

[She gestured vaguely at the stoves and cupboards and cooking tools.]

As I understand it we are responsible for feeding ourselves and the others if it is our turn? How exactly is that handled?

[Already frustrated, usually Azula was so good at reading people but this one was proving difficult. What was it? Was she just very sly or was she in fact incredibly dense?]

[nocawsforconcern]

[When you get dense enough, it wraps around to sly. Which is to say, Enna's completely unbowed, but she nods, drawing her cloak around herself and rustling it a bit.]

Cawww. [Yeah, she's making bird noises instead of something like 'hm'.] I dunno. Usually I just do my own thing. Da always said, too many cooks spoils the soup, or something like that. Which I think is a silly thing to say, 'cause it's more just that it's bad if it's too crowded to move in a kitchen you're using hot oil in.

[She nods, like this tangent is exactly what Azula wanted to know.]

It's not really coordinated... It's not like we all have assigned duties. They keep changing. Which is weird. So I just sorta do whatever I feel like. Today it's cooking!

[makeadragonwannaretire]

[Azula's eyes widen a bit and then narrow going from confusion to disappointment. Perhaps this one was just another crazy girl. She'd seen some in the Asylum who made noises like that, pretending to be animals and what have you.]

So you are allowed some measure of freedom on this train? That's good to know, when I was told we had assigned chores and missions I was beginning to think I'd been drafted into military service again.

[nocawsforconcern]

"Again"?

[She pauses, but shrugs.]

Vee's a big train. There's a lot of people here. It's good to do chores, but there's a lot more people than are needed just to keep up.

And missions are weird. They're not predictable. Caw. They can be anything.

[makeadragonwannaretire]

[She takes the time to move closer and start inspecting the cooking tools along the walls picking up something unfamiliar and studying it to avoid eye contact.]

In my country everyone is expected to serve in the military at some point. I'm actually something of a war hero, so the train chose well when requesting my aid.

[She sounds vaguely nostalgic and a little resentful.]

Have you been on many missions already? Can you tell me about one?

[nocawsforconcern]

Caww... That sounds terrible. War and military. They're bad.

[Enna's chopping slows a bit as she thinks.]

Caw. My first one was supposed to be a vacation, apparently. Lots of swimming. Beach. I liked it. I found lots and lots of shiny things there. But not a lot happened.

There was another mission later that I didn't like. We had to put up... 'shields'? Around a world. And fight people who were trying to destroy that world. They had a bunch of robots. Fighting them was hard. I didn't like it. But that world also had cute animals. Rolly pandas.

[The chopping picks up again, and then stops.]

The past missions don't really give you any idea of what's coming in the future, though. Missions can be anything. They don't always involve fighting. Which is good. I don't wanna have to stop more people from killing people.

[makeadragonwannaretire]

[Azula stiffened at that confused, glancing back at Enna.]

War is only bad for the ones who lose. A strong military is important to any nation that wants to protect their citizens.

[The more this girl talked the more it was clear to Azula she wasn't a warrior, she was a child.]

So why don't you just hide on the train then if you're too cowardly to fight?

[nocawsforconcern]

[Ironically, Enna's actually likely a bit older than Azula... Not that you can tell from how she carries herself.

She shrugs a bit, giving Azula a surprisingly appraising look.]

Nope. War's bad for everyone. Fighting, hurting people, being hurt.

You're being really rude. Don't do that.

[makeadragonwannaretire]

[Azula turns to face the girl more directly gesturing with a wand used for mixing drinks.]

It's not rude, all I know is what you've told me. That you're apparently the kind of coward who doesn't want to fight to protect others. Because fighting is hard so rather then learn how to do it smarter and easier you'd rather just avoid it entirely.

[Setting the stirring wand aside she continued to explore the the room fiddling with the knobs on a stove.]

How would you propose to have solved the problems on that world with the shields and robots if you hadn't fought them?

[nocawsforconcern]

I didn't say any of that stuff. All I said was that fighting sucks and that I was trying to stop people from killing each other. You're the one saying a lot of weird stuff.

If you keep being rude, you won't get any pie.

[makeadragonwannaretire]

You were trying to stop people from killing each other, but you didn't want to do it again.

[This was why she didn't waste her time on peasants.]

So if you're not a fighter, and you're cooking just because you feel like it what purpose do you serve on missions? There must be some reason you're here.

[nocawsforconcern]

No duh. I don't want things to get to that point in the first place.

[Enna pauses. She looks Azusa over, and for all her goofy habits and bird noises, her gaze is sharp.]

... Oh, I get it.

[and then she just.

reaches out

to pat Azula's head??]

It's okay. You don't have to be on edge here.

[makeadragonwannaretire]

[That was...unexpected and infuriating.]

Don't touch me!

[She drew back practically hissing like an angry cat and found her back against the counter.]

How dare you be so presumptuous?

[nocawsforconcern]

[And now Enna is all smiles. She's... She's trying to help.]

I thought so. It's scary, right? You're in a weird, scary new place, with no idea how you got here, and you came from a war. So it makes sense to be scared.

But there's no war here. The train is safe. Most of the people here are nice. You don't have to worry. There's nothing to be afraid of here.

[makeadragonwannaretire]

I am not scared you idiot!

[Even if some of what she said was right.]

It may not be a war but you just explained there was a need to fight on these missions. And if you refuse to fight then you're just a liability.

[nocawsforconcern]

It's okay.

[She is just trying to be soothing now. Unfortunately, she has no idea how.]

It's not like missions are only fighting. There's a lot of other stuff to do.

... And if things get bad, then I won't be a liability. Caw.

[makeadragonwannaretire]

Ugh, I'm sure you think that too.

[Backing away again she made sure to keep a wary eye on the girl as she continued her exploration.]

What can you do to be sure of that if you're not a fighter?

[nocawsforconcern]

I can win.

[She says it like it's that simple...]

[makeadragonwannaretire]

[Azula waited for further explanation, even gesturing her hand in a "Go On" sort of way before giving up.]

Are you always this helpful in explaining things or am I just lucky?

[nocawsforconcern]

I'm not good at explaining stuff.

[She just shrugs.]

I just do things. Punch people with a mountain or whatever.

[makeadragonwannaretire]

[Azula is starting to wonder what this girl is good at other then irritating her.]

What do you mean with a mountain? Are you an Earthbender now?

[nocawsforconcern]

[you could ask.]

I dunno what that means. Earth is hard, it doesn't really bend.

[makeadragonwannaretire]

[Azula will take a moment, just one to calm herself. Rubbing her temples to stave off a headache.]

Yes I suppose your right, it can be.

What I mean is, what skills do you have?