A New Platform [Intro Post March]

[voidtreckermods]

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!

Comments

The Train

[deage]

In the Medical Car, there's a very young girl hanging around. Probably not more than seven years old. Wearing a lab coat sized for her.

"Adventure is what brings people here," she comments to the strange new lady's question with a deadpan tone. Also, don't ask seven year olds to go on adventures, it sounds like you're attempting an abduction. "Let me guess. New?"

[famtastic]

She's not bothered by a seven-year-old in a lab coat if the seven-year-old is not bothered by a seven-year-old in a lab coat. Anyway this particular seven-year-old seemed fairly self-possessed so the Doctor would even help her with experiments or whatever she got up to in a lab coat.

As for what she'd said:

"Really?" The Doctor wrinkles her nose. "Do you mean a thirst for adventure is a prerequisite? It's certainly no holiday destination. OR do you mean that adventure is going to happen here whether people like it or not? And yeah!"

She grins, hands in the pocket of her hoodie.

"Does it show?"

[deage]

"It means that this is the Medical Car, and a thirst for adventure usually winds people up in here more than anything else." Keep being adventurous and see how long you stay healthy. Haibara smirks at her own... joke? Well, something like one.

"But yes, you can spot new people on train station day based on how they're exploring their new surroundings. Once you've been here long enough, any search you need will be much more highly focused." A pause. "And usually avoided on platform days, since that's when everybody new is going to be moving around sticking their noses everywhere."

[famtastic]

"I get it. I might end up here once or twice." Lies. She won't go near it unless dragged in or escorting someone else. She perches on a bed, swinging her feet absently.

"You must have been here a while."

[deage]

"Four months, and a couple weeks. Long enough to spot the patterns as they emerge." It really has been a long time. "And we have stops for new passengers every two weeks."

[famtastic]

"Seems like there should be more people here." She frowned a bit. "What's the compliment?"

[deage]

"The train adds more cars periodically as we get more people. But people leave every stop as well. There's usually more coming in than going, and the number of people on board has been slowly increasing." She taps a finger to the desk-table she's at. "If you want an exact count, you'll need to consult the roster. It's been over a hundred for a while though."

[famtastic]

"Interesting. It's like a regular colony out here. The tech behind it has got to be absolutely brilliant." She puts her hands on her hips and looks around. "I suppose it won't be so bad even if it's not my first choice."