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

[nutkrusher]

"You mean in the armory? Sure thing."

She starts to pick up her pace a little.

"I'll have to mark down anything you borrow. We keep a close watch on the weapons here for obvious reasons."

[famtastic]

"Not really going to borrow anything." She wrinkled her nose. "Not much for weapons. Not for actually using them. Not unless I really have to. But smart keeping track of them."

[nutkrusher]

"Yeah, I can understand that," Cassie says. "Whether you use weapons or hate using 'em, it helps to be at least a little afraid of 'em. Remember what it is they were designed to do."

[famtastic]

"Oh I'm never afraid. Not of a weapon. I'm afraid of what they can do in the wrong hands. I'm afraid of how people hide behind them and how they think it's the end point of any argument. But I'm not afraid. Never."

[nutkrusher]

"'I'm not afraid of this weapon' tends to be a lot of people's last words before they blow off a finger," Cassie says. "Guns can kill people even if people don't mean to. Hell, so can swords. Or scissors, if you run with them.

"Though I've gotta admit, you're talking to someone who's ended a few 'arguments' with a weapon. It's the people who start their arguments with one that you've gotta worry about."

[famtastic]

"Respect and fear is not the same thing. There's other ways to end an argument no matter who starts them." And she is tired of violence being justified because the other guy started it.

[nutkrusher]

"I've been part of at least one where there wasn't one," Cassie says.

"When a fallen Elder God's trying to merge Earth with Hell, you don't hug it out."

[famtastic]

"Doesn't mean a weapon has to be the only way." She would have figured something out. It was a moot point, she knew, and she wasn't going to win this argument she knew, but she couldn't help but saying something.

[nutkrusher]

"Well, in the end, it was mostly punching and kicking, so you're technically not wrong?" Cassie says.

"We've made peace with Outworld, if that helps. That war's done. But the Netherrealm are literally the forces of Hell. A whole dimension full of people who already blew their last chance in life. Plus oni and orochi who wouldn't take that chance if it were handed to them. And led by an evil god who resents the rest of the gods and the universe itself for existing."

[famtastic]

"Mm. Don't know the context. Not going to argue." She was reminding herself of this, but even if she knew the context she didn't know if she'd agree. "Let's just focus on what you have."