voidtreckerexpress | 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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"I'm most familiar with magically augmented technology, though I have a passable level of experience with a wide variety of technology levels. I am already an accomplished world traveler, and such things are vital for a scientist venturing into other worlds."

He didn't know what the twentieth century was referring to, so many worlds operated on different calendars that it was impossible to develop a universal reference point.

"What sort of missions might I expect? And for that matter, what sorts of tasks are the different teams assigned on such missions?"

"I don't know if any of the technology here is augmented with magic or not. If it isn't, I have a lot of questions, but I suppose that's true either way..." Senku trailed off a moment.

"Anyway!" He waved it off slightly.

"Missions happen about once a month and we just finished one. They're all completely different. Orange missions tend to have the least combat and red seems to have the most. The orange missions so far that I've been on have included repairing robots and control stations, patching pipes and picking delicate crystals out of flowers. Each team typically has different goals and you can choose whatever one you want. We get a message with the basic directives before we're dropped off. Just let the team lead know if you're leaving so someone has a vague idea of where you are."

"Then, orange seems to largely deal with tasks regarding some level of finesse. That suits me just fine, I may not be helpless, but my talents are hardly aimed toward brute force activities."

He jotted down a few more notes in his book and nodded.

"Who is the lead for orange team?"

"Eva and Curufin are the team leads for the orange team." Senku responded. "It's not a terribly rigid structure, but they just basically keep track of what team you go with and remind you to prepare for being off the train for a few days, that kind of thing."

"Hmm. Is there any method for consolidating and disseminating information? At the very least, we don't want too much redundancy going on."

"Actually, no we need more redundancy." Senku explained with a shake of his head.

"The problem is that people can disappear anytime, without any warning. They either reappear and walk off the train as you might've seen, or get called to the conductor, which means they end up in the engine car, we think. They come back some indeterminate time later, with no memory of anything. Information is meant to be shared, and jobs are being doubled up on with that in mind. The lack of contingent plans if people who are holding some kind of position or information has been a problem that needed to be addressed."

He hummed a moment. "That said, not every team operates the same way. Orange is one of the bigger teams."

"Of course...because why would things be easy."

He groaned and put a hand to his face. Why was it that everything had to be full of complications?

"But that's all the more reason for transparency and communication. Someone making a discovery and then leaving before they share it with others would be a horrible missed opportunity."

"I agree with you, and we're doing what we can in that department, but you can't force everyone to be cooperative." Senku said with a shake of his head.

"We'll persevere all the same."

"Yes, I've seen what happens when you try to demand cooperation between those less than inclined to give it."

He was guilty of being difficult under those conditions himself, after all. Not that he would ever take back his refusal to cooperate with the likes of Marluxia.

"But those who insist upon operating independently do so to their own detriment. Their contributions will always be less than those of people who understand the value of working alongside others."

"I understand your point, I just don't agree with it." Senku responded. "The people who take on the responsibility are looking after their teammates regardless of how cooperative they might be."

He shrugged. "Also, I think they'll come around in time so there's no point in causing unnecessary problems. You'd be surprised how helpful and how many contributions come from people on the fringes."

"And how does that measure against the opportunities lost from the lack of input, or delays in reports due to general indifference?"

He shook his head.

"It's one thing to do what you can despite lack of support, but an absolute unwillingness to cooperate merely holds one back. Perhaps they will come to see that, but you are correct in that trying to force them would be counterproductive."

"There will be other opportunities. If the answer exists, there's a way to find it. One person cannot possibly tip the scales against you indefinitely." Senku debated easily. "There will always be someone looking for the answers and they will all come to light eventually."

He might look young, but he carried a subtle thrum of authority in what he was saying, it was in his tone.

"People do tend to come around, and force is rarely the right way to go. It's better to be patient and wait for people to come around in the long run. But just like I couldn't make everyone cooperate, I couldn't make you cooperate with them if you don't want to." Senku shrugged one shoulder.

"I'm used to functioning in group settings, so you needn't worry about me. There may be certain...personalities that I have difficulties cooperating with, but I should be able to at least maintain civility so long as nobody goes out of their way to be antagonistic."

"I'm not particularly worried about anyone, I'm not in charge here." Senku commented with a little shrug.

"I haven't really noticed anyone trying to be antagonistic, so you might be fine."

A New Platform [Intro Post February]

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