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!
worthallthis: (Default)

[personal profile] worthallthis 2021-03-06 08:31 am (UTC)(link)
While she's doing her opening, Soldat settles to change their hiking boots to the proper combat boots. Gotta protect those toes. And also maybe kick things with extreme prejudice.

Taking the knife back and gathering up their own new but familiar belongings, they offer, "Need any help with that?"
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13971828)

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-03-08 09:12 am (UTC)(link)
No, the knitting kit might not fit in the luggage.

Glancing up, she hesitates a bit. "Oh...you sure? I wouldn't wanna trouble you."
worthallthis: (headtilt-sarge)

[personal profile] worthallthis 2021-03-08 09:51 pm (UTC)(link)
"Wouldn't have offered if I wasn't sure." They sling their tac vest and pants over the opposite shoulder from their lantern, strap the utility belt on as-is, and dangle the hiking boots from the flesh hand by their laces. That way they can offer her the metal one, free and clear, for carrying something heavy.
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13971678)

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-03-10 08:46 am (UTC)(link)
"Well...okay. Thanks," she replied with a smile. Slinging the laptop bag over her shoulder, she lifted the knitting kit box. "There's this, or the suitcase." She felt bad about just giving him the larger item, so she would let him choose.
worthallthis: (lookback-sarge)

[personal profile] worthallthis 2021-03-11 10:06 pm (UTC)(link)
Soldat easily and without thought takes the one that looks heavier. It's a metal arm. It can take it. "Back to your cabin, then?" they assume, looking like the burden isn't even noticeable.
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13971809)

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-03-12 10:55 am (UTC)(link)
She had a feeling that they'd go for the suitcase. With a smile, she held the knitting kit box more securely in her arms. "It'll just be a quick drop off at my cabin room."
worthallthis: (Default)

[personal profile] worthallthis 2021-03-12 10:50 pm (UTC)(link)
"Lead the way, then." They heft the suitcase, shift their combat gear over their shoulder, and fall in behind her. "Any familiar faces this station, for you?"
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13971957)

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-03-15 06:31 am (UTC)(link)
Kitty falls into an easy pace, because while she likes company she didn't want to hold him up for too long.

"Not really," she admits with a small shrug. Though she thought she caught a glimpse of some people she'd seen on the train before, but they hadn't seemed to recognize her. "How about you?"
worthallthis: (distance)

[personal profile] worthallthis 2021-03-15 07:49 pm (UTC)(link)
"Not this time." Not unless you counted Tony Stark as... a little familiar. They only knew his father, though. "Last platform I had two, though. I might have been a little too hopeful for another, this time."
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13971678)

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-03-16 09:23 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh really? I can get that, if more than one person showed up before. Who came last time?"

She had an idea of one of them, but she didn't want to assume anything.
worthallthis: (Default)

[personal profile] worthallthis 2021-03-18 06:14 am (UTC)(link)
"Steve." Probably your guess, there, Kitty. "And Merwen." Who... is probably not someone she'd ever imagine somebody like them to know. It's hard to miss the purple-skinned nudist with the finned hands and feet, frankly, but Soldat's original world is not known for its purple-skinned fish women.
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13971656)

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-03-18 07:59 am (UTC)(link)
Steve was definitely her guess. "Oh, I met Steve too. He's pretty cool. I don't think I've met Merwen yet though."

She probably would have remembered someone like that if she had.
worthallthis: (look up)

[personal profile] worthallthis 2021-03-18 11:17 pm (UTC)(link)
"You've probably seen her around. Purple skin, webbed fingers and toes, and absolutely hates clothing." Which is to say, she's always naked. "I'm finishing up some clothes for her that I hope she can stand, at least for missions."
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13971959)

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-03-19 08:01 am (UTC)(link)
She frowned a bit. "Maybe. Though you'd be surprised how easy it is to miss other people, even in such a cramped space."

Then again, it was a pretty long train.

"I'll try to keep an eye out for her. She sounds pretty easy to recognize, at least."
worthallthis: (smilesad)

[personal profile] worthallthis 2021-03-19 09:59 pm (UTC)(link)
Not everybody makes daily patrols of the train and obsessively keep track of where everyone around them is, either. Soldat puts their surprise aside. Their own hypervigilance is not a thing everyone else shares, they know this. Especially not everyone here on the train, compared to Beacon.

They shake their head a little. "She's nice. You'll probably like her. Can't see why anybody wouldn't." Steve, at least, they understand why someone might find him a bit much.
goingthroughaphase: (pic#13971656)

[personal profile] goingthroughaphase 2021-03-23 07:19 am (UTC)(link)
With a smile, she nodded. "She sounds cool. I'll have to look for her then."