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

"Yondu. Yondu Udonta."

He lightly thumps his chest with his right fist, the Ravager greeting.

"I'm Centaurian." He adds, by way of explanation for the blue color and the jagged shark smile.

Crowley perks up, "As in Alpha Centauri?" The demon had a whole Escape-Earth plan that landed him in that very star system. It was abandoned when the person he cared about most refused to run off there with him.

"Lovely vacation spot." he grins. "I suppose I'd be considered one of Earth these days, but I out-date it. Demon." he continues, pointing to himself on the last word.

"Demon?"

Well, he's already seen a goddess. A talking cat. Some magical people.

He just nods. Alright, reasonable enough. If he's going to make deals with a devil, this one seems civil enough.

"You been there? To tell you the truth I've not been since I was a kid. I remember it being pretty, though. Forests and clean air. Better than most of the universe."

"Mmhmm." he nods, "Do I have to explain what that is? Such a long story."

Let's just say he's happy to change the subject. "Yeah. Well, I had planned a trip recently-er, before I came here, recently, but it didn't work out."

"Nah, we got a version of that story, too. I figure I got a gist." Just Holy Water never came up in theirs.

Maybe because they hadn't churned out any saviors on Centauri. Not that it matters, he doesn't look like he's judging. He expected to be in some kinda hell, anyway.

"Why didn't it work out?"

Crowley scoffs, he supposes he can talk about it now, but there's no way that at the time he would have had the nerve.

"Ah, well, stuff happened." he shrugs, "I had a friend to avenge. An apocalypse to end. You know how it goes."

"Actually I've at least done a 'save the planet' number. I mean, I killed the one. But he was an asshole. Killin' his own kids and universal domination and that number. But I got to help save another one."

He doesn't know that Thanos would make it to the damn place anyway.

"Never liked someone enough to go on a personal mission of vengeance, though. I mean, I've liked people enough that if the people who killed 'em happened to be in front of me or available, I'd do somethin' about it. But never made it a point to run halfway across the galaxy for 'em."

Well, he did save Quill. He might have gone on a mission of vengeance if Ego killed him. Maybe. Mostly he'd decided Peter had chosen his own way, and anyone else that did it to him would have just been a tragedy. He'd have mourned, maybe kicked something, but not chased anyone down in a rage.

Crowley's lips turn up into a scowl as Yondu recalls the planet's crimes. "Mnngh... you can't kill kids," he huffs, "Typical."

The deep breath the demon then takes speaks volumes. Crowley has his own issues with the way things had gone on his own planet. The reason he'd fallen from grace to begin with was because he'd asked too many questions, and the heartbreak he'd felt to see The Almighty smite the lives of innocent children in great floods or other disasters was enough to make him feel sick... which probably says a lot more about his character than the word 'Demon' ever would.

"There's only been the one." Crowley says quietly in response to the next part. "Things worked out in the end, I suppose." At least, they'd worked out in the sense that the person in question was here, with him, and they were able to express their love for one another without fear of retribution from either side, anyway. This was a silver-lining that made his stay on the train worth it, after all.

"Nope." He agrees with a grim shake of his head. He still feels guilty for it, but at the time he honestly thought some slut of a celestial was just sending him to get his kids. He didn't expect that he was killing them! He reminds himself that if Ego's dead? And Peter's alive? It was absolutely worth dying.

"You got the fella that did it?" He assumes at first.

Taking a deep breath, Crowley shakes his head, "Ah, more complicated than that. Anyway, doesn't matter. They're here, with me, so this place isn't all bad."

His expression doesn't show that he's thrilled to be here, either, but hey, it's something. "The worst part is privacy. There's little of it. Lot of people in such a cramped space."

"So... you got 'em? You don't have to worry about 'em?"

He considers, leaning forward some.

"Y'all at least get some alone time when the train stops? I mean, I've spent my whole life either in forced labor or as part of a Ravager crew, and they ain't got no bedrooms. Not a big deal for pirates. Any private time I got came from pit stops."

Crowley isn't certain he wants to talk about his private affairs with a complete stranger, even if they get along swimmingly, but he offers a nod.

"It's fine. There's a private car on board. Eh... most the stops are for missions, and I learned my lesson there. It's not the sort of vacation I want to go on."

"That's somethin' at least. Only stoppin' for missions, huh? Well that's some shit. Alright, well, if I run into your friend I'll do fair by ya." He'll just call them a friend, because he's not sure of the details. But Yondu is self-aware enough to know he's an asshole sometimes. He's also capable of self-control and biting it back when it's a loyalty issue.

He never quite got over being hung up on Stakar. But Stakar loved Aletta, and he never once gave her a hard time despite her being crazier than a shithouse rat... she was also really hot though, so he could understand the man's choices. Point being, if someone did right by him, he could be respectful right back with them and theirs.

"There'd been another stop, not sure if it was more trouble than it was worth, though." he shrugs, "I appreciate that. Do take care."

Crowley's taste in companionship was a bit unexpected, but considering how things had progressed between him and Aziraphale, it was fairly obvious from seeing them together that they were a pair. Seeing them separately would make it a little more difficult to put together.

A New Platform [Intro Post February]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject