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

[crimson_rain]

"This vehicle before you it's called the train." Which he points out. As to whether it's alive or not, that remains a mystery.

"I sense it has a power, but the source of it is a mystery to me. All I do know is that it calls people from other worlds to travel through the void for the purpose of saving other worlds, worlds with problems and in turmoil, and the train travels to those worlds in different dimensions in space. As passenger and crew members, the train asks of our powers to help save those worlds."

There's a pause, "I have no reason to want to escape, but the train does send people back home when it wants to. I have a husband here and I choose to stay by his side."

[foxyou]

The comprehensive answer is disheartening, to be honest; his ears and tail droop slightly, betraying the lack of any noticeable change in his facial expression.

"In other words, all of us are subject to the whims of this great metallic...train. And we're to perform heroics for it?" No comment on the husband, though he does feel a pang of jealousy at his own lack of any familiar company in this new prison.

"And I suppose the train is to blame for the unexpected change of clothes, as well."

[crimson_rain]

"It's not mandatory to perform heroics. I do know that on the last mission I was on when the train stopped on the planet, some people remain on board. You can just...go along with it and stay for the ride and see where the journey takes you." That's to put it mildly.

With a polite nod, "Yes, the train gives us the colored hoodies. The hoodies have colors. That's your team. I'm on team blue."

[foxyou]

Well it's nice to know they don't have to do any work. Though being the kind of person he is, he probably will, just for something to do.....that aside: Hoodies? Is that what they're called? He reaches behind him to tug at the hood of his own, inquisitively pulling it up over his ears. "And is there any sort of difference between the different colors? Is this our uniform? I'm not expected to wear this all the time, am I?"

Aaaaand pushing the hood back off, that was long enough for his curiosity.

[crimson_rain]

Work isn't required. He knows a lazy few rather stay on the train, but he hasn't been here for long.

"There's blue, red, purple, and orange. I really don't know. We arrived in different colored hoodies and most of us figured out that the train assigned us in teams."

With a nod, he smiles seeing the sight of his ears. "Yes, it's your uniform. And no, I had seen some people somehow required clothes from the shop while being on board."

[foxyou]

A shop, huh? He looks down at these clothes that aren't his own, wondering vaguely if there might be any money on his person right now. With his luck, probably not.

The fox puts on a calm attitude anyway, as if he hasn't just come to the conclusion that he's penniless. "My thanks for the information. Now if you'll excuse me..."

He heads for the train doors, totally cool as he walks past the stranger whose name he hadn't bothered to ask, and. Hesitates to actually step inside. Give him a moment, he'll get there.

[crimson_rain]

There's no money on the train. The currency is points that the train rewards and goes to the passengers if they participate in the missions.

"All right." Most of the arrivals tend to require more time while being on board, so he figured he'll get used to it eventually.