voidtreckermods: (voidtrain)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] voidtreckerexpress2021-02-01 06:00 am

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!
marvelous_murderbot: (prepared)

[personal profile] marvelous_murderbot 2021-02-04 12:24 am (UTC)(link)
That one makes her look quite thoughtful.

"Oh. Hmm. I cannot think of a reason one way or the other. Except perhaps grammatically, and that would only be a localized issue."

She looked up again.

"Should I be swearing more often? Is that considered correct, where you're from?"
nutkrusher: (A Real American Hero)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2021-02-04 12:56 am (UTC)(link)
"I'm in the Army," Cassie says. "It's basically punctuation for us."
marvelous_murderbot: (Default)

[personal profile] marvelous_murderbot 2021-02-04 02:44 am (UTC)(link)
"Ah!"

That produced a nod of understanding.

"Yes, yes that translates. Thank you."
nutkrusher: (Confidence)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2021-02-04 04:17 am (UTC)(link)
"It's the same everywhere, huh?"
marvelous_murderbot: (contemplation)

[personal profile] marvelous_murderbot 2021-02-04 04:23 am (UTC)(link)
She nodded.

"In that regard at least, I believe so. Thank you for explaining. And for explaining about the flying, I appreciate new information of any sort."
nutkrusher: (Hey There Soldier)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2021-02-04 04:43 am (UTC)(link)
"Hey, no need to mention it," Cassie says. "Glad to help."

She holds a hand up.

"My name's Cassie Cage, by the way."
marvelous_murderbot: (Default)

[personal profile] marvelous_murderbot 2021-02-04 05:09 am (UTC)(link)
She takes it and squeezes, quite firmly.

"I am known as Guri. Apparently I am on a team of Purple people now?"
nutkrusher: (Proud Sergeant)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2021-02-04 05:47 am (UTC)(link)
Cassie's been around some firm handshakers. She can take it.

"A plethora of purple people," she says.

She doesn't pause too long for that one.

"I'm the team quartermaster. Come to me before the missions for your ready kit, or if you've got any questions about supplies when we're on site."
marvelous_murderbot: (Default)

[personal profile] marvelous_murderbot 2021-02-05 02:41 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh! Most excellent - would I be able to obtain a change of clothes? Some holsters? This garment..." she pulls a bit at the hoodie

"It is difficult to function at my best in it. Would a jumpsuit be impossible?"
nutkrusher: (Worried)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2021-02-05 02:53 am (UTC)(link)
"Changes in clothes are one thing we haven't got much of a surplus of, unfortunately," Cassie says. "At least not ones that aren't plain mono-colored hoodies and sweatpants. You can buy specific clothes at the in-train store - I got a suit of armor for myself with them. The price for them is a a bit steep for us to have started stockpiling 'em.

"We do have a solid common stock of healing potions, lembas bread, and magic beans, though. And some weapons."
marvelous_murderbot: (Default)

[personal profile] marvelous_murderbot 2021-02-05 04:39 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh, unfortunate," she replied. "I don't have any credits that would work here, I think."

She shrugged.

"At least I won't need all of those things," she said, "whatever magic beans are. I assume some sort of drug...? But I came with my own weapons." She gestured at her hands, then slightly unzipped the hoodie to pull out one of her blaster pistols, using the moment to check the charge, just in case.
nutkrusher: (My Work Here Is Done)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2021-02-05 05:01 am (UTC)(link)
Cassie nods approvingly. "Nice. I'll also mark you down as owning a piece. It'll help let us know if anything ever turns up missing.

"As for points, you'll earn those overtime."
marvelous_murderbot: (Default)

[personal profile] marvelous_murderbot 2021-02-05 10:34 pm (UTC)(link)
"Two of them, then, in case of that."

She nodded with the latter, guessing what overtime meant, really.

"Is there anything else you think I need to know?" she asked, finally.
nutkrusher: (Contemplative)

Herp, meant to write "over time"

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2021-02-05 10:40 pm (UTC)(link)
"I think I've covered most of it, but we hand out leaflets, too," Cassie says. "Read those if you'd like to know more."

She pauses. She's not entirely confident enough in her senses yet to ask this woman if she's human. It'd make her look like a real asshole if it turns out she's just sucking at it again.

"Anyway, that should cover it."
marvelous_murderbot: (Default)

Still can be interpreted down an ok line. :)

[personal profile] marvelous_murderbot 2021-02-05 11:06 pm (UTC)(link)
She nodded, executing a slight bow from the neck.

"Thank you, you have been most kind to me."
nutkrusher: (Hey There Soldier)

[personal profile] nutkrusher 2021-02-05 11:34 pm (UTC)(link)
Cassie returns the gesture with a casual salute.

"Glad I could help."