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

Cassie Cage | OTA

[nutkrusher]

Platform

Those who are used to the sight will know it pretty well by now. Cassie likes to take any chance she can to stretch her legs. Specifically by flying as high as she can go, because a couple months is nowhere near enough time to get sick of flying.

She might approach you, or you might notice her.

Luggage Car

Cassie's got a pretty big haul waiting for her in the luggage car. The makeup kit she sets aside. She peeks briefly at the outfits she'd brought for herself and for Trunks. And then, holding her breath, she checks in on the random outfit.

"...I mean, I could make it work, but that just isn't me. Jacket's pretty nice, though."

[marvelous_murderbot]

There is terribly little on the platform that draws her interest. Everything she doesn't know will find no answers on it.

But a flying woman, well - that is new, and interesting. And so she, newest member of Team Purple, stands and watches that. She's never seen any species do that before.

[nutkrusher]

Cassie's able to sense the eyes on her from beneath, albeit more in the normal, intuitive sense of the word than the more literal way that Piccolo and Trunks had been teaching her to do. Come to think of it, it was hard to get a read of any kind on this woman. Maybe she still needs more practice.

Cassie drops down to the platform in front of her.

"Hey. You been introduced to this place yet, or do you need me to give the spiel?"

[marvelous_murderbot]

Close up, the big notice might be the purple color coding of her clothing, but then again, maybe not.

"Nobody has given me any facts, so any help would be appreciated," she replied. "Though I am mainly curious as to how you are achieving flight."

[nutkrusher]

"Well, first things first, this is the Voidtrecker Express," Cassie says. "It's an interdimensional train that travels to worlds in need of aid. By which it usually means they need fighters. Everyone on this train pitches in. Which, sorry to say, basically means you've been pressganged."

She pauses to let that whole thing sink in.

"As for flying, that's a little trick I picked up from one of the other passengers."

[marvelous_murderbot]

She seems to think about it for a moment, then nods.

"I would be a logical choice," she responds. "So long as the fighting is in aid of helping others, I will be fine with that."

Since she is, in many ways, a very well-meaning woman who can also flat-out yeet a Hutt.

"Is it a biological ability?"

[nutkrusher]

"They've all been legit missions so far," Cassie says. "We're not overthrowing planetary governments to steal their space oil or whatever the fuck."

She's not from the part of the Special Forces that have that kinda shit in their illustrious past, thank God.

"But, yeah, it's...biological, pretty much. Qi. Life energy."

[marvelous_murderbot]

Well that's officially several steps ahead of her old Black Sun days, so she nods. And she also files away 'Qi' and 'life energy' for future exploration. It is similar to concepts she has known before, so it raises no comment and is accepted at face value.

But then there's the matter of vocabulary.

"What does 'fuck' mean?" she asks.

[nutkrusher]

"Whatever the fuck you want it to mean," Cassie says. "Do they not cuss in your universe?"

[marvelous_murderbot]

"Yes," she replies, with a nod, "but this is not my universe. The idioms, the pejoratives. things like that - they'll all be different. I do not know them yet."

She pauses, thinking.

"From context, I'd assume it's either to do with waste products or mating - but the precise knowledge would be appreciated."

This is probably more thought than most of the multiverse's population has put into these things.

[nutkrusher]

"Originally it's the second one," Cassie says. "But it can be used as just about every part of a fuckin' sentence if you give it a try."

[marvelous_murderbot]

She nodded.

"Yes, that would be karking or kriffing, for our equivalence," she replied. "At least in Galactic Basic."

Filed away into the memory banks.

"Thank you, that was most informative. Why do you say it so often?"

[nutkrusher]

"I'll store those away for possible future use," Cassie says.

"The fuck not?"

Luggage Car

[light_of_willpower]

Trunks had his own reason for coming to the luggage car--and he really hoped he'd find it fast. Finding Cassie there--normally was entirely a good thing. He was still pleased to see her, and was now dreading her coming with him to try and find his package. "What'd you buy, Cassie?"

Re: Luggage Car

[nutkrusher]

"A few things," Cassie says. "A reload on my makeup and hair stuff. Random outfit that I'm not quite sure about."

Her smile widens.

"And a couple things for whenever we decide to have our next big date. One of 'em's for you."

Cassie gestures toward the case with his name on it.

Re: Luggage Car

[light_of_willpower]

"You wear make-up?" Trunks tilted his head, looking confused. Then smacked himself in the forehead. "I...shouldn't have asked that, should I?" He wasn't sure.

Then she was indicating something for him and he blinked in surprise. Before moving closer to hug her. "You know you don't have to get me anything, right?"

Re: Luggage Car

[nutkrusher]

"Generally, no," Cassie says. She pulls gently out of the hug and gives him a mock-stern look. "You do not ask a girl about that. Think I'll let you off with a warning this time, though."

She winks. The usual grin returns to her face.

"Maybe I don't, but it feels good. Besides, I thought I'd take advantage of the fact that all the clothes here cost the same."

Re: Luggage Car

[light_of_willpower]

"Thanks for the warning." Trunks duly bowed his head in appreciation of her warning. But there's a shy smile on his face. "I like getting you stuff too, although I didn't this time." Reaching up to brush her cheek with his hand affectionately.

[nutkrusher]

"It comes with one I got myself to match it," Cassie says. "I'll let you see it when the time comes. But I'm pretty sure each of them would run me about the price of an economy car back home."

She leans forward, touching him again after her brief "punitive" withdrawal.

"You're worth it, though."

[light_of_willpower]

"For our date, right? I'm still working on setting that up." Moving his hand and arm, only to slide it around her waist in a hug. "Thank you."

[nutkrusher]

"You can try it on in your own room if you'd like," Cassie says. "But I already know you'll look good in it."

She wraps her own arms around him, caressing his back.

[light_of_willpower]

"I would, thank you. And again, you're going to give me a swelled ego." But he wasn't blushing at least, and was trying to tease back. "I could wear a paper bag, and you'd probably think I look good."

Now he blushed though, and ducked his head. "Mostly because that's about how I feel about you." She could wear a paper bag, and look good, in his eyes.

[nutkrusher]

Cassie's expression, already quite luminous, still visibly brightens. She kisses him.

"Well, looks we've each got a reference from one other pretty person. That's gotta be worth something, right?"

[light_of_willpower]

"I think we're both biased, Cassie." Trunks murmured, but mostly he was just happy to hold her, and with that kiss. "Besides nice stuff, what else did you get?"

[nutkrusher]

"That's about it," Cassie says. "Besides the random one, which, again...not sure about."

Beat.

"What about you? What'd you get?"