voidtreckerexpress | 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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"I don't always go out either, you know." Maybe being younger made it easier for people to brush off. She sipped at a small cup of coffee. "There are plenty of us."

Peter shrugs, he's seriously considering just going back to bed since last night had been a little rough.

"Yeah sure, but what if someone from back home turns up? Or someone from my school? I owe it to them, don't I? To be a familiar face in a... really weird place."

"I suppose you could poke your head out just long enough to be sure, if you feel you need to." That's what she does, at least when she isn't expecting a package. "I've never seen a familiar face myself."

"Yeah, I think that's what I'm gonna do." Peter nods as that does sound like the simple solution. Go out for a moment and then comeback into the train and hopefully be asleep by the time of void entry.

"Oh..." He's not sure what to tell her. Is she hoping to see a familiar face or would she rather not? He's seen several in his time one the train and briefly he wonders what that says about the multiverse but pushes it out of his thoughts.

"Good luck." Whether or not he wishes to see anyone in particular. "I don't know what I'd do if I saw someone I knew. Obviously, it depends on who it is, though." Especially with how much she's changed.

"Yeah, I understand that feeling. There are a number of people I'd rather not see turn up but knowing my luck they probably will." He says casually.

"Is there anyone you'd want to see turn up?" He realizes he doesn't really know much about Ple Two. That's really his fault though, getting caught up in other things.

Ple Two almost laughs at that. "There's one person who I'd most hate to see, and I think I'd be able to sell tickets to all my friends to beat him up." Even Madoka might smack him around.

"As for people I would like to see... mm. Even the people who... would be kindest to me... I'd rather just reassure them that I'm okay, rather than bring them here."

Peter nods in understanding. "I'm kinda curious but I know someone like that-or knew them. I haven't seen them in a while and to be honest I think I'd be okay with never seeing them again-so I won't push. I'm sure it's not exactly a pleasant subject." There used to be a bunch of people that wouldn't hesitate to kill on sight, now he's pretty sure it's just Buttercup. Which, he'd have to figure out someway to deter her from stabbing him if he did ever show up-oh great, now he's gonna have nightmares.

He shakes his head to get the thought out-like he said, not a pleasant subject. "Yeah, I get that. When Aunt May was here I was pretty much always worried about her and made sure there were several people around to watch her. I'm kinda glad she's back home but kinda not because..well, I mean she raised me."

Buttercup is allowed to stab Glemy Toto, and then ambush him in the luggage care, tie him up, and keep him barely alive so he doesn't respawn. But that's just Ple Two's opinion on the matter.

"I would like nothing more than to never see this man again. A few others I wouldn't be happy to see as well." One woman who would expect Ple Two to be her enemy; anyone loyal to her would feel the same. "I've come a long ways since Judau Ashta tried to save me. I... I don't need him to help me now." It feels nice to say it, actually. "I think he'd be happy about that."

"It's kinda complicated for me-I don't want to see him again but I have questions still and I'm kinda afraid I wouldn't like the answers and I don't-I don't even know how I'd-how I'd react."

He lets out a breath and takes a sip of his energy drink. "Well, if that guy does ever-let me know I'll drop kick him in the face for you."

She can't help laughing at that a little. "I'm glad you have my back. And if you need this person held down so you can interrogate him, I'll help you in return, and then find a way to throw him back on the platform." What happens if they all conspire to leave someone horrid behind?

He smiles for a moment but then frowns and shakes his head. "No. No, it's better if you don't-I mean he's not worth it and-" A sharp shiver runs up his spine just thinking about it.

"Just-uh.. just leave him alone. I'd have to talk to uh... someone about what to do with him because I wouldn't trust him around uh.. anyone."

"Mm. I'll keep an eye out myself, as well, if he's that dangerous, though. I can take care of myself, and others, after all." But getting someone like Piccolo or Vegeta to intimidate him seems even better, to be fair. "Hopefully we won't have to worry about either of us running into these people, ever again."

"Well, he's not exactly... dangerous. I mean, I guess in a way-just not uh.." Not in the way she's thinking. It's probably best to drop the subject, what she doesn't know can't disturb her.

"Yeah, hopefully. I am hoping my Uncle shows up though... maybe someday. It'd be nice to see him again."

A New Platform [Intro Post March]

brekkie

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