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!
hashtagparkerluck: (228)

[personal profile] hashtagparkerluck 2021-03-11 07:40 am (UTC)(link)
Peter pauses and there's a look in his eyes like something isn't quite computing. "Um... okay?" He's not sure what to do here because what else can he say? Sir? Is that an option? He needs to know so that he can be polite!

"And uh-no. No, I more or less get involved in things because I have a responsibility to help when I can." With Great power and all... he thinks fondly of his Uncle.
famtastic: (don't like that)

[personal profile] famtastic 2021-03-12 06:21 am (UTC)(link)
She has that effect on people.

"With great power comes great...Oh hang on..." She looks at her sonic. Wrinkles her nose. "No, lost it. It's malfunctioning again. Not sure why. Might have been the kidnapping that did it. What's the level of tech around here, do you know?"
hashtagparkerluck: (give passport pls)

[personal profile] hashtagparkerluck 2021-03-13 11:21 pm (UTC)(link)
Peter looks taken aback again but looks at her with a new light-something akin to hope shining in his large, doe-brown eyes. "Must come great responsibility-yeah." He nods enthusiastically. "It's a thing my Uncle told me my Dad used to always say-uh-um... you didn't happen to know a Richard Parker, did you? Um, Richard Laurence Parker, if that helps."
famtastic: (I know)

[personal profile] famtastic 2021-03-17 06:38 am (UTC)(link)
"Er..." Those sounded like very specific names and her expression spoke the apology before she ever did. "No... sorry. It's just a phrase I picked up somewhere. It's a good one, but... If I have met them I don't remember."
hashtagparkerluck: (491)

[personal profile] hashtagparkerluck 2021-03-18 05:09 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh..." The hopeful look in his eyes fades quickly but he takes it in stride. "That's okay, it was a long shot anyways." It would have been nice to talk to someone that knew his parents but the odds were against him at the moment as he highly doubts Cap ever met them-actually that was probably literally impossible if he went into the Ice in the forties.

"B-but yeah, it's a thing my dad used to say, apparently-I don't really know-I was five when he uh..." He clears his throat because that's not a great subject. "A-anyways. Welcome to the VoidTrecker Express?"
Edited 2021-03-18 05:10 (UTC)
famtastic: (huh)

[personal profile] famtastic 2021-03-22 06:16 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah? Smart man, your Dad. Sorry you never got to meet him properly. That's rough." She wasn't sure what to say beyond that. Sympathy was always--awkward. "Thanks. Looks like it will be interesting anyway. Still not sure about the clothes. Hopefully I can get something a little less 'Doctor goes to Sleep-away Camp."
hashtagparkerluck: (491)

[personal profile] hashtagparkerluck 2021-03-30 01:20 am (UTC)(link)
Peter just shrugs and starts picking at a loose string on his hoodie because honestly, 'rough' is a bit of an understatement. "It's... I mean, it's not okay, but it's not like it was anyone's fault. He and Mom left on a business trip and I guess the engine was faulty because-well the plane went down. I do know that my parents both worked for the government in some capacity but I don't know exactly what it was they did-just that they were scientist." And wow, he's definitely oversharing.

"I'm okay though-I was just curious if you'd met him-but I guess not." He takes a the chance to change the subject and glances at his own purple hoodie. "I don't know-I kinda like the hoodies. Not the polos though-I could do without those."