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]

"I'm sure Gen would appreciate that," said Curufin, with a smile.

"It ought to be interesting, looking at the night sky of some mission planet. It would be so different from the Earth's sky, and a fascinating view, I'm sure."

He nodded. "Ah, I see. The giving of a flag is a tradition, and it seals the deal and indicates respect."

[10billionpercent]

He snickered lightly. "That depends. He's kind of a fancy guy you know." He said with a wave of his hand. "It might not be something he'd wear either, but we'll have to see what he thinks."

Senku's expression softened. "Yeah. I know it's not my galaxy, probably, that I'd be looking at, but it's my favourite thing to do. If the train was wondering what I do for fun, that's it. I look at the stars. At home, I have a telescope that's not going to be as modern as this one, I'm sure, but Gen made it for me." The time they spent together talking and looking through it was maybe what he cherished the most.

"That's right." He confirmed with a nod. "We might not have a lot of traditions, seeing as we don't really have many allies, but I think it's a good one."

[so_dark_a_road]

"Either way, it will be interesting to see what kind of outfit the train chooses for you," Curufin said, chuckling a little.

"Hmm. We have that in common, that we both look at the stars. I haven't owned a telescope since I was young. In my world, my father was an innovator, and it was he that invented the telescope. That was kind of Gen, to make such a device for you. And I don't suppose it would make a real difference to either of us, if the mission world galaxies are different that those of the planets we're from. A different sky would be a challenge."

"And it seems a good idea, to continue whatever traditions you have, as regards alliances. Rituals such as flag-giving or gift-giving underline and emphasize the reality of an alliance."

[10billionpercent]

"Yeah, it was." Senku agreed. "He got the whole village to help him, and they built an addition to Chrome's shed to turn it into a proper observatory. I mean, our telescope isn't nearly high powered or modern of course, but you can see more than you can with the naked eye."

He hummed. "Also, we get to live there, which is a plus because the roof opens and we can look at the stars anytime we want." Unfortunately the train was a poor substitute for that. "We used to do that, most nights."

"I think looking at a different sky would be endlessly fascinating."

Senku smiled warmly at that. "Yes, and I'm quite serious about it. There's no reason to turn down an ally after all, and when I return home I'll be sure to tell everyone about them."

[so_dark_a_road]

"That sounds like a really committed community. And to have a telescope of that nature, the whole village helped and, I assume, they benefitted from the observatory?"

Curufin's eyes brighten. "I like that idea, living inside an observatory!" Too bad they couldn't open the roof of a train car to observe whatever universe was out there! Oh well, probably not such a good idea.

"I'd be fascinated by a different sky."

He nods. "When you return home, you'll have riveting tales to tell about where you've been. And about your allies on the train." Smile.

[10billionpercent]

"Of course." Senku said agreeably. "The fact we live there doesn't really stop people from using it. I just don't have a hut. I mean, I'm sure I could get one if I wanted it." He was the chief, of course he could have a place to live if he wanted one. "But I like the observatory. We live there for about eight months of the year. The other four months we go down in the storage shed and live with Chrome because it's too cold otherwise. We don't have a stove in there." Sometimes he debated whether or not to put one, but hadn't settled on doing that yet.

"The kids like looking through the telescope a lot." Senku missed falling asleep under the night sky.

"So would I. Without a doubt there would be different planets and star systems..." He sighed wistfully. "Hopefully we'll get a mission where we see that soon. The last couple didn't have a night sky that was clear enough to watch." That, and he'd like to set up his telescope at some point.

"They'd like that. Gen's better at storytelling though. I just try and imitate him." He grinned. "Kids like stories." He knew that much.

[so_dark_a_road]

"Kids are like that, they are curious and active, and they are fascinated not only by gadgets but especially by bright lights such as stars."

He smiled at Senku's sigh. He felt the same way. "Maybe the train will send us off on a vacation, and we'll get to relax and celebrate a little. And watch the stars and planets!"

He nodded. "Learning by imitation is a good method. But everybody has their own stories to tell, and their own style of telling them. And their own preferred audiences. Kids do love stories, and they are a delightful audience! Do you have any particular stories you'd tell about being on the train?"

[10billionpercent]

"Yeah, but you have to watch them because then they get tempted to look into the sun with the telescope." That was a common enough warning to give, nearly every single time.

"A vacation huh..." He hummed and shrugged. "Gen would like that. I am sure I would find a way to work through it like last time, but I did get to look at the stars last time. And on Irivar, I got to look at the stars there. In the jungle the weather was too cloudy." It had been a little disappointing. "Actually, we even slept in a tent the weather was so miserable."

"He's just better at it than I am. I can convey the information but it's not just that...inflections and stuff- he's just better." Senku shrugged and considered.

"Well, I'd probably talk about the train itself, and all the people I've met, and the fact that magic exists on other worlds, that's fascinating to me. Plus all of the experiments I'm working on. Gen would probably talk about all the cool places we get to go." He let out an amused huff. "We'll probably have to just do it together."

[so_dark_a_road]

"True, you have to tell them about safety protocols and make sure they adhere to them. I remember my dad telling me about that one. Even though we were Elves and had bodies that were harder to injure than a mortal's, our retinas could still be damaged when the sun was focused by those glass lenses. He really had to keep track of what I was doing, because I was such a self-willed little brat and was apt to do as I pleased when no one was watching."

"I'm sure Gen would like a vacation! Plenty of time for star-gazing and other enjoyments." He smiled. "But preferably a place that is warm and sunny, so no having to find shelter against miserable weather."

And as for train stories? "That would be nice, wouldn't it? You and Gen do a joint presentation, you speaking about the train, the people, the ubiquitous occurrence of magic, and your experiments, and Gen talking about the amazing places we visited."

[10billionpercent]

He chuckled lightly. "I understand that impulse. I'm sure if I believed in divine retribution, making me keep an eye on a bunch of kids would be punishment enough. But I never did try to look at the sun myself, after I read what it could do."

Senku hummed thoughtfully. "Probably. Sitting around doing nothing is the kind of thing he'd like to get into, in a relaxing setting. Not all the time, no matter how much he complains. The tent was fine, I'm not sure we'll bother with it again though. Unnecessary fuss. We're used to just sleeping outside."

The train was kind of stifling that way, they were much more used to being outside all the time.

"That's probably exactly what would happen." He smiled fondly.

Want to wrap this thread?

[so_dark_a_road]

Curufin laughed. "Lucky for you, no such retribution has ever been visited on you. I had a son of my own, though, and he was quite a handful. Not as much so as I was, but enough to remind me that my poor parents must have been anxiety-stricken a fair amount of the time, considering how much mischief I got up to."

He nodded. "You were a highly intelligent child and you knew enough to pay attention to the warnings in books."

"I hope you and Gen get your vacation soon. It would be nice, wouldn't it?" The train was a bit stifling! "And I hope that you get to go home one day, and entertain and educate others with tales of your adventures in the multiverse."

Yep, that's a wrap!

[10billionpercent]

He chuckled lightly. "We watch the kids in the village sometimes. Gen does most of the work entertaining them, I'm just usually there." They all had their strengths.

Senku considered that and nodded. "I suppose a vacation would be nice." He would maybe, even try to participate in it.

"We definitely intend on going home someday, we just have to figure out how."