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

[marvelous_murderbot]

"I wouldn't know for sure, I haven't met everyone yet. Though, in fairness, for me it was more of an opportunity for change."

She inclined her head, in an introductory bow.

"I am known as Guri."

[averyusefultray]

She moves her lekku in the traditional greeting. "Hera'syndulla."

Opportunity for change could mean any number of things. She's not sure just how much she could disclose, though most Imperials would never lower themselves to learn her language. They'd prefer the women of Ryloth not speak at all. "I already had much to do."

[marvelous_murderbot]

It was a particularly abominable and stupid attitude. Which was why the Empire, in her universe, was rapidly fracturing into warlords and associated states.

"I admit to being relieved to meet someone from...well, at least a semblance of my universe. And I also admit to being glad that the arrival isn't an Imperial or Black Sun."

[averyusefultray]

"Neither of those groups is particularly fond of me." She didn't have many dealings with Black Suns. But it was hard to deal with smugglers and pilots the way her crew had to without having to tread carefully around them.

"They're really not here at all?" She dreams of a place without Imperials. She has a very hard time actually imagining it though.

[marvelous_murderbot]

It was hard, really, not to catch the note in her voice.

"Not a single snowman," she replied, using common slang for stormtroopers. "I keep checking, just in case."

[averyusefultray]

"Thank the Force." That phrase alone is enough to tip people off to her rebel status in many circles. "It's been a long time since I've been on a planet without them."

Yavin IV, but they always loomed even in their absence.

[marvelous_murderbot]

"Me too," she responded. And it had been a tip.

"Though I haven't been officially part of the Alliance, I am much less opposed to them than I am the Empire."

Considering, for her, it had been just a few weeks ago she had detonated a Star Destroyer, it was a bit of an understatement.

[averyusefultray]

"I've been involved long enough to be on a few wanted lists. Since before there was an Alliance." It's been quite the ride, watching things actually become organized. "I'm no stranger to working with unaffiliated people."

[marvelous_murderbot]

She nods, slowly.

"When are you from? I suppose that is the best question to ask next."

[averyusefultray]

She gives the woman a puzzled look. What sort of question is that? "Lothal year 3276." She's not about to use Palpatine's calendar if she can help it. It's that whole rebel thing again.

[marvelous_murderbot]

She frowns a bit. "I'm not terribly familiar with Lothal, or it's calendar. Yes, well, let us try another way: have you heard of a Battle at Yavin? A place called Hoth? The Forest Moon of Endor?"

[averyusefultray]

Black Sun operates in the Core too, so that seems entirely reasonable. The rest though. She's only heard of one of those places and it earns a frown. "A battle at Yavin would mean we're all in a lot of trouble."

It's their most well equipped base after all. She wouldn't be surprised if the Empire were to track it down eventually, but they're trying pretty hard to avoid that.

[marvelous_murderbot]

She smiles, understanding.

"Ah, good, I have a sense of things at least. I can give you some assurances on that, if you wish."

She frowns a little. "Though I'm not sure of the protocol from here. I am from a few years later on than you, to speak in general terms. I'm not sure what I could, or indeed should, say."

She shrugs. "I know how it all turns out, you see. To a certain point."

[averyusefultray]

"How it turns out," she repeats slowly. That probably explains the when question. Except she's pretty sure it doesn't at all.

And of course... "Isn't the future always in motion?" She's no Jedi, but that hasn't stopped her from picking up bits and pieces of their teachings. She likes to know what's going on on her ship.

[marvelous_murderbot]

She shrugs at that.

"Maybe? But for me, your future is my past. Recent past, perhaps, but still."

[averyusefultray]

She takes a deep breath. Somehow that seems stranger than getting pulled out of her own world. "The Jedi have always been cautious about thinking they know the future. Except to learn that lesson the hard way."

THere are questions she wants to ask. She's just not sure if it's wise.

[marvelous_murderbot]

She nods, understanding.

"Yes. That making the presumption we are merely from different points in time. Here, I have learned not to limit myself to that linear thinking. But I will answer what I can. And I admit it is...good to see someone from, for lack of a better term, the home universe."

[averyusefultray]

She pinches the bridge of her nose. That is sure another potential level of complication that would not have occurred to her at any point. This day is rapidly getting very strange. "I suspect that may make sense with time."

She'll risk it. "At home... do things get better?" The war has really been heating up. Maybe she shouldn't ask. But she wants to know all the same.

[marvelous_murderbot]

"Yes," she replied, with more gentleness, "they do."

"Would you like to know how much?"

[averyusefultray]

It's on the larger galactic scale. That's probably not something that can lead an individual person astray. "I would."

Any improvement is promising but... she does want to know.

[marvelous_murderbot]

She takes a moment, and offers the best smile she can.

"You win," she says, finally, and simply. "In a few years. The Empire's structure is far weaker than even they knew. One or two decisive moments, based on their hubris, and the entire thing fractures."

[averyusefultray]

In spite of everything, that brings a smile to her face. It's all she needs to hear. Her fondest dream. "I always thought they couldn't be as indestructible as they seemed. But some days..."

She realizes it'll probably get worse before it gets better.

[marvelous_murderbot]

"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."

[averyusefultray]

"I wouldn't expect it to be. The Empire would never make that simple." It would be very nice if the entire Imperial war machine collectively realized the error of their ways and set out to make better life choices. It was also a completely ludicrous notion.

[marvelous_murderbot]

She nods.

"But yes - a New Republic has been declared. The smart odds, they say, is on Coruscant being liberated in just over a year. The Empire continues to fracture and squabble amongst various factions, and it is unclear who will ultimately come out on top, if anyone."