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

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin smiles at the wryness. He can't blame Clef for that! "Did anybody from your world turn up this time?"

[guru_clef]

"As of yet, I do not see anyone I know," though for some reason one of the people looked mildly familiar. He was not sure why. But it didn't bother him.

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin nodded. "I guess it's too much to hope for, that we see people we know on every platform. That's if they were people we had friendly or family connections with. Are there people you would want to meet again, from your world?"

[guru_clef]

"Those of my world whom I would wish to see still have roles to play there and are needed. The one time when someone from my world appeared where I was it... did not go well. From the last world I was on however, that is a different story. From there, Zelda is here even if she is not precisely the same as I knew her and does not recall our time there, and Nita is here. I do hold hope that my son will arrive at some point. And there are others from that would whose appearance here would not constitute a disaster."

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin nodded. "That makes sense. You wouldn't want to deprive your world of people who are needed. I'm sorry that it did not go well when someone from your world arrived where you were. And yes, you've mentioned that you've lived in other worlds. Nita and a version of Zelda were in your last world? Then that world must have been like some that I've been in, in that it collected people from various times and places. What was that world called, by the way?"

He nodded again when Clef spoke of his son. "You and I have that in common, that we're the fathers of sons we love dearly. I hope that you have the chance to be reunited with yours."

[guru_clef]

"Nautilus, Naut for short. A sentient world that drew people to defense of Chaos and various worlds. It was a fascinating and educational place. And I thank you. May all parents and children who love each other be reunited."

[so_dark_a_road]

"Nautilus, a rather beautiful name. A nautilus shell is complex and pearlescent on the inside. That world entity sounds a bit like the train, in that it's purpose is to defend other worlds. Did you leave deliberately, or did you just. . . find yourself elsewhere one day?"

Curufin smiled a little. "A good wish. It is hard to be separated from someone who is so important. You've spoken of your son before, and you obviously love him very much. I hope the same, that all parents and children who are so bonded may meet again."

[guru_clef]

"A little of both. We had finished what we had been brought to do, and the world gave us the polite version of a request to leave. Zelda, Link, and I were about to do just that when I wound up here instead." He was still trying to figure out why.

[so_dark_a_road]

"That is well, that you finished your task. And I find that interesting, that Nautilus actually requested that you all leave of your own accord. I wonder if that is a situation that the Voidtrecker Express would somehow be aware of, and that it would show up in the vicinity to collect some of the departing people?" He scratched his head. "Just a theory. It's all so mysterious."

[guru_clef]

"It is. We need to figure out a way to give the train enough more energy that it can communicate more readily, then perhaps we can get the answers we need."

[so_dark_a_road]

"You think the train doesn't communicate with us much is because it lacks the energy to do so?" Interesting thought.

[guru_clef]

"That is what it told me," he said, with a nod.

[so_dark_a_road]

"It did? That's amazing, that the train actually gave some important information that might allow us to take action. I wonder what sort of energy it needs?"

[guru_clef]

"That it was not able to tell me in time. I know Nita has been doing some experiments and research on the topic. Perhaps it would be wise for you to consult with her."

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin nods. "I'll ask Nita, then. If we could provide that energy, then I think it would pay to do so. I can think of many questions I'd like to ask the train. In these last months, we've put together a little of its history, and now we know that it needs help. Communication would be a good start."

[guru_clef]

"I agree. Once the two of you have answers, consider my power at our disposal."

[so_dark_a_road]

"What do you know about energy sources, Clef? I know you have considerable power. Do you think you might be able to provide or access the right kind for the train?"

[guru_clef]

"I do not know as much as Nita and others, that had not been my primary field of study." And he had had enough of those to stretch the word 'primary' considerably. "Nita knows about My bending, the rest I can explain when we are closer to seeing what is needed. It will be better served, I think, to figure out the need before we think about our resources. If you are fighting a monster weak to water, it is good to know you have someone who specializes in water attacks, but if what you really need is a change in temperature, you might dismiss tat same person because you have already defined them as specializing in water attacks without considering that they cold use water to cool. By participating in this stage, I could limit our scope by being too focused. It is why we need to work separately at times and then come together, to avoid sharing biases and blind spots."

[so_dark_a_road]

"Good point," answered Curufin. "We have first to find out what kind of energy the train needs to receive in order to communicate with us more. I assume it was telling you the truth, as it doesn't seem to lie to us ever. And then we can figure out what might be the sources of that type of energy. I'm really interested now in asking Nita what she knows or has discovered."

[guru_clef]

"I look forward to the end result as well, and when we have the answer I will be more than happy to help. I am speaking with others on the train to learn what sources of magic they have and how their powers work, so even if mine do not suit, I will hopefully have an idea of whose does."

[so_dark_a_road]

"I as well. There are so many mysteries connected with the train, and this one has baffled all of us -- why doesn't the train entity talk with us more? I'll be happy when we can take a few more steps in the direction of solving that one. And I'll be especially happy when we can give the train that energy and start interacting with it more."

[guru_clef]

"Agreed. There are infinite possibilities that might open to us then to help those who need us."

Want to wrap this one and catch up later?

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin nodded enthusiastically. "I think so, too. And that is what it's all for, the chance to help those who need us."

Sure! TY for the thread!

[guru_clef]

He nodded, agreeing.