voidtreckermods: (voidtrain)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] voidtreckerexpress2021-03-01 05:44 am

A New Platform [Intro Post March]

On the Train

Once again passengers are awoken by the morning announcement.

"Good morning passengers, it is day One of the month of Kazoo. 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 is thick, the air is warm and humid and there are rumbles of thunder, the air heavy with the promise of rain.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers: Alfredo Martini, Daia, Enna Alchiba, Lord El-Melloi II, Natsuno Yuuki, Nita Callahan, Saku Gyousou, Sakura, V and Wen Qing

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, and seems smaller with twenty-seven 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.

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'). Those not new to the train will note the addition of an eighth sleeper carriage. The store rooms have been restocked with fresh ingredients, it seems the month of Kazoo is defined by the tomato and there are plenty of them.

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 as thunder rumbles further and the storm threatens to break. 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!
achickenformylove: (mdzs 4)

[personal profile] achickenformylove 2021-03-16 01:56 am (UTC)(link)
"It is hard to tell. So many have come and gone. Glorfindel and Curufin have been here for some time. Little One greeted me when I arrived and knew me from before. The spider has been on the train since I arrived, as have Tidus and Shinichi. I believe Eva and Roland as well."

Odd to think that HE might be one of the longest people on this train now...
bakegarasu: (all up in my grill like 'nevermore')

[personal profile] bakegarasu 2021-03-16 02:00 am (UTC)(link)
"Blame Thanatos. he told me to keep an eye on you, and I told him I would if he kept an eye on someone for me. ... Not like I don't think you can do things, just. You know. In case." Missions and whatnot... he's sure things are going to go stupid on the mission somehow.
sirentologist: (Team)

[personal profile] sirentologist 2021-03-16 02:56 am (UTC)(link)
Oh. Oh, dammit, she'd gotten too excited and hadn't even considered that she should...probably have not been so blasé about her particular abilities. Sure, it had been mostly fine when she'd been exposed on Pandora, but here, she can't even begin to imagine what sorts of people would take advantage of her. Or try to kill her.

"Oh, well, I just asked it very politely and it was more than happy to start right up." Sure. That's close enough.
marvelous_murderbot: (Default)

[personal profile] marvelous_murderbot 2021-03-16 02:57 am (UTC)(link)
"Fascnating!" she replied, brightly. "I have never even heard of such an ability."
marvelous_murderbot: (Default)

[personal profile] marvelous_murderbot 2021-03-16 02:58 am (UTC)(link)
"What is the poetic phrase? The night is always darkest...?"

She replied with a shrug.

"I cannot promise it was an easy, or bloodless path, unfortunately."
sirentologist: (Default)

[personal profile] sirentologist 2021-03-16 03:00 am (UTC)(link)
"How very intriguing!" She's not even being sarcastic, she's legitimately engaged in this story. How fascinating to think that there might be other places that could potentially be developing similarly to the corporations she's familiar with.

"And how did they manage sentience?"
sciencegirl: (06)

[personal profile] sciencegirl 2021-03-16 03:26 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh, neat! Is it some sort of technokinesis or technosymbiosis?" Luckily it doesn't sound like she wants to take advantage of it. In any sort of traditional way, anyway. There's just that raw interest that comes with someone introduced to something new and fascinating.

As she's saying it, she's taking an emitter out of its protective casing with her hair instead of her hands.
subcircuits: (count me in)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-03-16 03:36 am (UTC)(link)
"I've wanted one of these since they released the first model, but I didn't really have time for a pet at Techstead," he says. "Too-- much going on otherwise." He probably just means his work, right?

Flipping up the front flap on the box, he reveals the machine inside. It's in its folded-up cam mode, powered down so none of its LEDs are are on, so it's not terribly impressive looking; he includes them both in his bright smile anyway.
averyusefultray: (Default)

[personal profile] averyusefultray 2021-03-16 03:38 am (UTC)(link)
"Did we learn anything useful from that?" Sure they talk to a train. That can be how this day goes.
sirentologist: (Glance)

[personal profile] sirentologist 2021-03-16 03:39 am (UTC)(link)
Alright, the woman is clearly far too naive--or distracted--to be at all fazed by anything slightly strange. And seriously, that hair. So after a brief pause, Tannis pulls up the left sleeve of her ridiculous orange sweatshirt to show her faintly glowing blue tattoos.

"More like technokinesis. I am able to manipulate machines and anything else with an electrical current. The ability is known as 'phaseshifting.'"
amery: (∞ Are you high or something?)

[personal profile] amery 2021-03-16 03:43 am (UTC)(link)
"Ah, do they? That is quite a long time, then. I swore I was only gone for a few seconds." A few seconds that had felt like a few too long at the time. "No wonder I'm in a new room and don't recognize anyone."
amery: (∞ Are you high or something?)

[personal profile] amery 2021-03-16 03:46 am (UTC)(link)
"Ah. If I have any useful ideas, I'll be sure to let him know. I usually just fly where I'm pointed," he explained, "And keep an eye on what the enemy is doing. I don't suspect I'll be doing much flying here, though."
springforth: (pic#13529939)

[personal profile] springforth 2021-03-16 03:48 am (UTC)(link)
"...What happened to your pantheon to get THAT as a prophecy?"

She blinks so many times. She's heard about plenty of prophecies in her time, some real, some fake, some blurring weird lines of 'if you squint'. But not, you know, total destruction.

"How does that work for the rest of the gods?"
amery: (∞ Are you high or something?)

[personal profile] amery 2021-03-16 04:00 am (UTC)(link)
"I concur." War was a terrible thing; countless people ended up hurt, their homes destroyed.

"Airships?" Somehow that was a strange concept for him. "Ships in the sky rather than the sea?"
helborn: (okay well maybe not)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-16 04:24 am (UTC)(link)
The 'magic' answer is that Fate works in mysterious ways. The more technical answer is that a per-existing legend was taken and modified, but there aren't really enough primary sources to refute it. So that became the only version of it people knew, and belief solidified it as our Fate. It's... my side of the family is supposed to be on the 'bad guy' side..."

As for the rest of the gods... "I don't know. A few of them have their own apocalypse myths, but ours is the most widely known one. I assume there might be some help, but who knows? The only time before the Titan War that I know they were working together it was against my pantheon and a few others. ... For good reasons, but we don't need to get into that mess right now."
averyusefultray: (Default)

[personal profile] averyusefultray 2021-03-16 04:34 am (UTC)(link)
"IT seems like something that happens on every scale." People get power. People abuse power. People have to take that back.

"We need every trick we can get just to pull off the current mission, much less our larger goal." Guri's given her hope, but it's still going to take fighting. "They say I haven't just left my crew on their own."
strawberryprotector: (Dr Ichi)

[personal profile] strawberryprotector 2021-03-16 04:38 am (UTC)(link)
"I know that feeling well, I used to get crap for my hair all the time. If anyone here on the train gives you any hell for your leg, please let me know? Your mental health is just as important as your physical health."
pleple: (Pacifier)

[personal profile] pleple 2021-03-16 04:45 am (UTC)(link)
"Hm. ...don't underestimate everything you're capable of." Although she'd understand why Haibara is trying to not be on too many radars.
strawberryprotector: (smile)

[personal profile] strawberryprotector 2021-03-16 04:45 am (UTC)(link)
Ichigo nodded at that. "Yeah, every time a sleeper car fills up, we get a new one. And sometimes the train will ask us what we want and add a new car based on what gets the most votes. It's how we got the spa, the movie theater, the music car, and the library."
strawberryprotector: (smile)

[personal profile] strawberryprotector 2021-03-16 04:47 am (UTC)(link)
"I will, I promise." Ichigo grinned before heading on his way.

[ooc: He won't, really.]
helborn: (the dark is scary)

[personal profile] helborn 2021-03-16 04:49 am (UTC)(link)
"... I was getting better about it... but I don't know who's going to be freaked out about it. I..." He shook his head a little bit. "I used to get picked on all the time. I helped out my dad in his funeral parlor, including the embalming, and I smelled like it."

He pulled an arm in front of him, letting him lean on it a bit. "Among other things. ... But I... it's... scary." He opened his eyes, looking down at the stump and touching the marks on it gently. "... I know I didn't fail. It still feels like it - sorry. Sorry, you're a medic, not a therapist. I shouldn't be putting this on you."
strawberryprotector: (smile)

Re: \

[personal profile] strawberryprotector 2021-03-16 04:52 am (UTC)(link)
"Ah, we're actually married now." A light blush dusted Ichigo's cheeks as he showed off his ring a little. "I'm glad your aunt is here, it's great to have someone you know on the train."
averyusefultray: (Sometimes she smiles)

[personal profile] averyusefultray 2021-03-16 05:08 am (UTC)(link)
That earns a smile. "Sounds like a lively bunch. It's always about so much more than just blood."

Such a mix of blood and not, too.
strawberryprotector: (smile)

[personal profile] strawberryprotector 2021-03-16 05:16 am (UTC)(link)
Ichigo couldn't help laughing a bit. "He's been sunning himself in my inner world. He'd love it if we can get a chance to really spar with Grimmjow again, but it's just not feasible on the train."
strawberryprotector: (smile)

[personal profile] strawberryprotector 2021-03-16 05:23 am (UTC)(link)
Hearing that had Ichigo smiling even wider. "I don't know if they have this tale in your world, but in mine there's a story that if you make one thousand paper cranes you can get a wish granted."