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

[bodyoftheseus]

Yes, there was something incredibly familiar about this scene to V. He couldn't quite dredge the memory up but he could remember this awkwardness and the tension, but mostly he still felt the fear in the back of his throat. He felt that this situation was nothing close to his, but it was easy to feel that way when he was suddenly the scary unknown walking in on some kid with a secret and he was the unknown that could end up a threat. No, this wasn't lost on him.

He looked up from the cat as the kid manages to recover himself and stammers something out. The older comment was met what a sharp case of resting bitch face that lasts for just long enough to probably make the kid concerned, but then the facade broke with an amused exhale and a faint smile.

"Hate to break it to ya kid but you're stuck with laundry 'til ya flatline. Or 'til you're rich enough to buy new clothes every day." Of course, having that kind of money solved a lot of problems in life.

[firewalled]

Rich is almost certain for a half second that this was the kind of shit Otoha had been so worried about when Rich had told him the truth, and his body tenses, his mind desperately clinging to the training about fighting he's managed to retain.

Thankfully, after a moment of that judgemental face, the stranger relents, though his teasing smirk isn't much better to Rich.

"I'm not looking to buy clothes every day," he grumbles. "That's a waste of money, especially when I already bought a ton of new clothes recently." Two years was pretty recent for him anyways. "Aaaand then lost 'em all when I got taken here, so that's great."

[bodyoftheseus]

There was a quip about being saddled with laundry for the rest of his life since he had no intention on bein' a gonk, but he chose to let it die in his mouth. Even V knew how to read a room. Usually, at least. It'd been a hot minute since he was this kid's age. V realized he was still between him and the door and slowly moved so that he was not blocking him should he want to make a quick exit.

"It would be a waste of money."

V set the kitten down on the floor so it could walk around, then leaned against the wall and started pushed his hoodie sleeves up to his elbows; metal in his arms complimenting the metal on his face and down the front of his throat.

"Gotta say, not a big fan of endin' up here and not havin' my own clothes. This all feels..." A hesitation as he waffled for a word. "...shoddy." His own patch jobs felt stronger than this, though the difference in material was likely to blame. "Or havin'... really any of my things." He was glad to have Johnny's gun, sure, but he'd really rather just have his phone.

He started to cross his arms but caught himself, shoving his hands into the pocket of his hoodie instead to try not to appear as threatening. For the most part his attention was on the kid, but occasionally he'd look at the kitten just to be sure.

[firewalled]

Rich feels his shoulders slump with a bit of relief, but he tries not to show it too obviously. He hadn't realized his escape route being blocked was causing him to panic so bad. Not that he's wanting to escape! It's just... well, it's clearly very complicated. Probably too complicated for him to think about right now.

Instead, he bends down, holding out his hand to the kitten in case it gets close enough to sniff him, while observing the other man's... odd appearance. He's a little unnerved by all the metal, but he tries to bite his tongue. He had judged Jack and Devero immediately for that stuff, and... well, at least Dev turned out to be nice.

"Shoddy is definitely a good word for it. I think you can buy stuff from the shop, but like, it's my stuff, so I shouldn't exactly have to pay for it all again."

He hesitates for a long moment, looking down at the ground, before, very carefully, as if doing the same as this cautious kitten, sniffing a potential threat... "I could do with a couple more binders, though."

[bodyoftheseus]

V didn't give indication that he noticed, but he did, and seeing him relax even a little made V feel a little bit better. When he was younger having doorways or the ends of alleys blocked had caused him incredible amounts of anxiety, though he couldn't remember exactly why.

As Rich speaks the kitten does approach, mewling almost pitifully for pets. It sniffed his hand gingerly, but then gently bamfed his hand with his head, asking for pets.

"I agree; shouldn't have to pay for gifts that were given to me either."

Rich bringing it up on his own was what V was passively hoping for; he wasn't going to ask or prod about such a private thing. Fuck knows V refused to talk about it at his age - he wasn't gonna sit here and make this kid talk about shit he doesn't want to.

"Can never have too many, 'n I bet sure as hell beats stolen bandages for comfort." He'd offer to pick those up for him, but eddies meant nothing around here and he had no points.

[firewalled]

Rich certainly remembers why he doesn't like being blocked in somewhere, but he's not about to blurt that to a stranger. He'll just be silenty thankful he's not about to be attacked... and also very, very happy that the kitten trusts him.

"Oh, hey little guy... You're so cute..." He gives the kitten what he wants, stroking her ears, and then beaming at V.

"I actually got one of the gifts I actually care about in my rucksack. I guess sometimes this train does something right..."

And as their conversation continues on, Rich is quite surprised to feel that the tone continues to be safe and comfortable. Like it's not weird for Rich to mention it. He tilts his head, looking at the stranger more carefully.

"Yeah. I think I did that a few times, but it hurt too much to keep trying. I... hope you didn't try that." Should he be implying that? It sounds like this stranger knows more about it than he would if he was just a casual ally.

[bodyoftheseus]

The kitten gives a high pitched meow of approval that seems to take everything it's got, then starts to purr under the kid's hand. It's enough to make V relent and give a soft smile as he watches the interaction between them.

It doesn't quite evaporate when the kid starts to speak again, but it simply shifts into something different. It's good that he got something he cared about in his pack. V wasn't unhappy with what he had, but it was a bit of a thorn in his side. As good of taste as Johnny had, as good of a gun it was, he'd rather have Kerry's iron at his side. At least then he'd have a little bit of the man with him. While he'd admittedly just rather have his phone before the iron, he was glad to at least have something useful. It wasn't worth a comment, really - the look on his face was glad that the kid got something he wanted, at least.

Whatever smile the kid admitted he had faded as he admitted he'd previously tried to bind the way V described, and that it hurt. He's quiet for a moment as he probes for the memories, clumsily starting to recall it. It felt like a lifetime ago and, in a way, it really was.

"Didn't have much choice but to do it." His shoulders shrug. "On its own didn't hurt too bad, but I think that's relative." Tame in relation to the other abuses he endured through his childhood, at least. "'f anythin' it just made the motivation to save up'n find a doc that much more." A beat. "It's good you're not havin' to do that. Can mess ya up pretty bad."

[firewalled]

"Oh gosh! That was a big roar, wasn't it? You're so fierce, huh?" He giggles softly, moving to pat the whole kitten's head, and then looking up at V to match that soft smile with a big one of his own. Someone who takes care of a sweetheart like this can't be bad, right?

Though it seems the mood shifts quickly after that. It's likely Rich's fault, and he feels quietly guilty that he had to ask about something so serious. Not that it should have to be... the longer Rich exists without the SQUIP, the more pissed he is that he's not allowed to just be who he is without someone trying to push him down.

"...Yeah. I can imagine. I was lucky, I, uh... kinda had T before I came here for cheap. I could probably use more of that soon... but at least I got brought here with a binder. Coulda used a doctor that'd take me seriously though."

[bodyoftheseus]

The kitten is quite pleased with this and is apparently quite satisfied with the pets. It leans into each pet and starts to rub its head against his legs. Eventually the kitten would flop onto the floor and wave little kitten claws playfully at the hand.

V felt for the kid and the idea of him doing something that hurt himself was what bothered him. No kid should have to go through any of that. It's really not Rich's fault - V's more recent memories were mostly shit, and all of his old memories were also pretty shit. What was more distressing was that he was just having such a hard time recalling them, but he was doing his best not to let this distress surface.

There's a confusion that crosses V's face at the mention that he could use more testosterone soon.

"Do..." He blinks, remembering the conversation he had with a cat, the man who thought the kitten the kid was petting was some creature with tentacles and a pocket dimension in its tummy... "Does wherever you're from not have cyberware that does that for you? All you should need is a ripperdoc to place it, then it just..." He shrugs. "It works."

[firewalled]

Rich lets the kitten bat at his hand, taking that opportunity to grab it by the tummy and move it around the floor for some play fighting as it wiggles and paws at him.

He's quickly distracted by V's words though. His transition has had some painful moments, really, though he was hopeful that it was all going to be worth it in the end. He didn't imagine that it could be easier, or that someone would be concerned for him taking it harder... but he supposes different worlds are a thing.

Which Rich is rather painfully reminded of when V continues on. "Cyberware? Like, like something that auto-injects it? I... It's..." He stares at him, still stammering, before he can force himself to take a breath, and look the other man in the eye. Just stay calm. He's like Devero. He's not like Jake. Cybernetics are good in his world. Different worlds are different. Different worlds...

"...I don't have something like that right now. And tech like that isn't very common, where I'm from."

[bodyoftheseus]

The kitten enjoys this game and bats away, but as Rich slows and/or stops with the distraction the little paws come to rest on his hand. The kitten seems content with this for now, yawning, laying there, little kitten triangle tail occasionally twitching.

V gave a slight nod as the kid tries to work through the cyberware bit. He was going to speak up and correct him - not something that auto-injects, but something that overrides the body and forces it to produce more of it, but the way the kid started to stammer shut him up. He let the kid take his deep breath and collect himself.

What he said next caught V's ear. Obviously cyberware and related technologies didn't start out so ubiquitous in V's own world, but if it wasn't very common it was hard to imagine a teenager would have had something like it. He didn't carry himself like some rich boy who could afford expensive toys. V is quiet for a moment as he scans the kid, green temporarily pulling up over where V's pupils would be if he had normal eyes. It was a subtle change. The scanner was saying there was something there, but that it was not active - a curious response from it, something he wasn't quite sure how to interpret. His expression didn't change as the scanner disappeared from his vision.

"Did you before comin' here?" Whatever the kid had it wasn't cyberware; at least, not as V knew it. The kid didn't ping the scanner the way the denizens of Night City did, or even similarly to how Devero did, so there wasn't some sort of neural interface and those seemed to generally be required to bridge the gap between the brain and the software required to run.

[firewalled]

Rich gives the kitten a few scratches on his belly, but... yeah, he's definitely not paying much attention to adorable cat friend right now. He didn't realize that his comment would be studied so fiercely, but perhaps he should have expected someone with experience in cybernetic stuff to pick up on it.

"I... I..." He's not sure if he should talk about it. He doesn't really want to talk about it. He flinches when V's eyes turn green, scrambling backwards just slightly, while the SQUIP in his brain feebly buzzes with static.

"Did you... do something to it? P-Please don't try to wake it up, okay? I don't want it on anymore! I r-really don't!" At least not now, not for a long time. Even the possibility Jack offered... he's going to hate every minute of it, and if it gets activated early, he doesn't know how he could survive with it.

[bodyoftheseus]

The kitten was content with this and was starting to zone out, maybe fall asleep, until Rich suddenly moves back. The kitten's fur poofs out on end as it clumsily scrambled to all fours and darts back to V, who crouches and out of habit pets the kitten, but his attention isn't on the cat. He's distressed at the response of the kid at the scan and, the way he's stumbling through his words, he'd accidentally hit upon a trigger of some kind.

Under his breath: "Shit."

More audibly: "No, no, no. I'm sorry, kid, I didn't mean to do anything. It's just a scan." If his distress wasn't clear before, his voice certainly is thick with it. The last thing he wanted was to upset him. "Shouldn't activate anything, just tell me if you got any cyberware or not, that's all. Doesn't even tell me what, just if."

V allowed himself the look of guilt and regret that he felt. Whatever the kid had clearly had some kind of response to the scan and clearly the kid was scared by whatever it was. "Really kid, I'm sorry. I didn't think anythin'd happen with it."

[firewalled]

Rich's eyes are wide, and he presses back against a wall, bringing his knees up to his chest and trying to make himself as small as possible. He doesn't have it in him to fight right now, can't puff himself up and act like a real man, not when his hair is standing on end from the build up of static.

He presses his hands against his ears, pushing down on his eardrums until eventually, the static in his brain starts to fade. He keeps pushing then, until all he can hear is blood rushing through his body. Right. There it is. He's human. He's a human. Blood pumps through him instead of oil. He thinks and feels and cries and laughs and does everything the SQUIP couldn't.

And then he opens his eyes, hesitantly looking over at the other man as he's starting to let up on the pressure against his eardrums. He was... he was human too, despite the pieces of metal fused onto him. He can hear the worry in his voice, the way he's stumbling over his words and the way his brow knits with concern. Rich takes a slow breath, and another, as he takes his hands away from his ears.

"No... I'm sorry. I-I didn't mean to freak out. It's off, still. It just... gets loud, sometimes. Usually if I'm having a bad day. Loves to get under my skin when that happens..."

He swallows a lump of fear, putting his hands in his lap, rather than reaching out for the kitten. "It's, uh, called a Super Quantum Unit Intel Processor. SQUIP, for short. I was kinda an unintentional guinea pig for it, because I was stupid and broke and desperate."