voidtreckermods: (voidtrain)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] voidtreckerexpress2021-04-01 06:00 am

A New Platform [Intro Post April]

On the Train

Once again passengers are awoken by the morning announcement.

"Good morning passengers, it is day Sixteen 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 after lunch. A lunch that may be a bit sparse: between the big eaters and the stress bakers, the stores have been stretched thin the last two weeks.

"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 steam is thin, with blue skies seen above. The sun shines brightly down, warm light pooling on the platform.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers: Cassie Lang, Glorfindel, Jessie Custer, Olivia, Paddra Nsu-Yeul, S’reee, Thea Queen, Wei Wuxian.

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, open, with a vine-covered wall stretching high either side of the barrier. 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 eighteen 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 doors close behind them.

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'). The store rooms have been restocked with fresh ingredients, including plenty more tomatoes.

For passengers that have bought items, these are also scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags. There is a suitcase stocked with spare wash kit items, for those who are running low as well as a box labelled Do Not Use Yet that is full of small 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 who are making the most of the sunshine. 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!
light_of_willpower: (long-hair-armor-smile-confident)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2021-04-05 01:45 am (UTC)(link)
"There's not much we can do to control it, sadly." Trunks said, but having a bit of extra space for once was nice. "And it is different under duress, you're right." Trunks took a deep breath of his own, before tilting his head up towards the sun.

"That reminds me..." And he let his head turn towards his friend. "I ordered a pretty fair amount of things this platform, but one of the biggest ones is taking up space on my bunk, and not even for me." Nudging Devero lightly with his elbow.
subcircuits: (inquiring)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-04-05 01:53 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh?" He looks back, interested but uncomprehending at first. He only connects the dots after a pause; then, his eyebrows go up. "--Wait, you didn't order something for me, did you?"
light_of_willpower: (long-hair-armor-smile-confident)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2021-04-05 01:57 am (UTC)(link)
"I did, so you can stop borrowing my set." Trunks said, mouth somewhere between a grin and a smirk in expression. "Especially since only someone from my world can order it, now."
Edited 2021-04-05 02:06 (UTC)
subcircuits: (picking up your signal)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-04-05 02:10 am (UTC)(link)
He actually gasps. "You got me armor? Like yours?"
light_of_willpower: (long-hair-armor-smile-confident)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2021-04-05 02:16 am (UTC)(link)
"I did. Although I suspect Father isn't happy about more people having it." Trunks said, one half of his mouth raised wryly. "I think, since it was modeled on the set that Freiza's army wore--and Dad was a slave of his. So too many might be a bit too much of a reminder."

A pause. "I however, would rather have people protected."
subcircuits: (evasive)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-04-07 02:38 am (UTC)(link)
"Your dad was a-- oh." Oh. No wonder he'd been so guarded, seeing Devero in armor like Trunks' during the mission.

"I don't want to cause him any distress..." he says, uncertain because he likes having the Saiyan armor on missions. He likes being a protected person, thanks.
light_of_willpower: (long-hair-armor-smile-confident)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2021-04-07 02:44 am (UTC)(link)
Trunks paused for a moment, before snorting. "You're unharmed, and at most he was grumpy. I think you're okay, Devero." Although his expression did turn thoughtful. "I can see how in the armor, with your interface, you might resemble a more modern version of Freiza's goons. But I think it'll be okay."

Another pause. "If it's not, he's as likely to tell you as do anything else. He keeps a lot inside and is very proud too."
subcircuits: (interface)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-04-07 03:06 am (UTC)(link)
"I got that impression." They hadn't interacted for long, but it was still long enough.

Trunks' words do reassure him though; relaxing a little, he nods. "All right. Maybe I'll see if someone can help me modify it so it doesn't look quite so similar. Magic it purple to match the team or something."
light_of_willpower: (long-hair-armor-smile-confident)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2021-04-07 07:47 am (UTC)(link)
"I think, as long as I'm not outfitting the entire train, it'll be alright." Trunks said. That was the impression he'd had, and his father might've even said that, from when they talked.

"But yes, the trunk with it is taking up space on my bunk right now." With a grin once more.
subcircuits: (down for a good time)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-04-08 02:58 am (UTC)(link)
Devero nods. "If that changes, just let me know, all right?"

He grins crookedly at his friend. "Is that your way of asking me to come get it?"
light_of_willpower: (long hair profile talking)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2021-04-08 03:12 am (UTC)(link)
"Once we're done up here, yes." Trunks said with a grin of his own. Then, slightly more seriously. "How's your post-mission recovery going? we really didn't have long between mission and platform this time."
subcircuits: (pleased)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-04-09 01:24 am (UTC)(link)
"No, we sure didn't," Devero says. He sounds upbeat enough? He waves a hand. "I didn't take half the beating most of you fighters did, I'm fine."
light_of_willpower: (long hair profile talking)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2021-04-09 02:04 am (UTC)(link)
"You were still working hard though. Especially making sure we had a place we COULD regroup at." Trunks pauses and raises an eyebrow. "Tell me you got breaks even when I wasn't around to make you."
subcircuits: (heart-hands)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-04-09 02:18 am (UTC)(link)
Devero rolls his eyes, but he's grinning as he does it. "Yes, I got breaks even when you weren't around to make me," he says. "You weren't the only crechekeeper on my ass in that camp."

In someone else's mouth, the words could have been exasperated or even resentful. Devero, though, just sounds faintly wondering that so many people noticed and cared.
light_of_willpower: (long-hair speaking)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2021-04-09 02:35 am (UTC)(link)
"Crechekeeper?" That was a new word for Trunks. "And good. Besides, best way to make sure *I* took breaks was to make other people take 'em too." Which he'd tried to balance with being out on the front line as much as possible too.

The naps with Cassie had been nice though.
subcircuits: (Default)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-04-09 03:08 am (UTC)(link)
Oh right. No other world has creches, and all that. "--Er, caretaker. For kids. Sorry.

"Yeah, I took that page out of your book and made Koumyou take a night off with me," Devero tells Trunks with a laugh. "Virtues know he needed it."
light_of_willpower: (long hair profile talking)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2021-04-09 03:10 am (UTC)(link)
Trunks smiled, genuinely glad for his friend. "Even with the armor, it was nice to hold Cassie while we slept. And to be held."
subcircuits: (interface)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-04-09 03:20 am (UTC)(link)
"For sure," Devero says. He felt it himself with Koumyou, even if they had both been exhausted at the time.

"How about you? You make it through all right?"
light_of_willpower: (long-hair looking down hopeful)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2021-04-09 09:56 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeah. It...kind of reminded me of home. Not the constant fighting, because the androids don't work that way. But the aftermath, and trying to help save people. To rebuild..."
subcircuits: (picking up your signal)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-04-10 10:19 pm (UTC)(link)
He nods. "I can see how it would," he says. "Giving those people hope back, despite what had happened..." He'd seen that himself in the streets after they'd beaten back the worst tide of the demons-- people in despair over what had happened, yes, but more people pulling together and looking to the future.
light_of_willpower: (long-hair looking down hopeful)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2021-04-10 10:41 pm (UTC)(link)
"That's what we named the time-machine. Hope." Trunks said, a bit quietly and solemnly.
subcircuits: (the soft man)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-04-11 12:18 am (UTC)(link)
"That's a good name," Devero returns, the same.
light_of_willpower: (long-hair head bowed side profile)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2021-04-11 02:07 am (UTC)(link)
Trunks is quiet for a moment, before he speaks again. Eyes closed, fond, but also wistful. "I'm not sure if Mom knew we couldn't change our future or not. She hasn't told me, even though we had a pretty heated discussion when I came home from my first trip." A pause, and slightly sheepish smile. "Maybe I'd kind of hoped it'd be that simple."
subcircuits: (i see you)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-04-13 01:10 am (UTC)(link)
"And who can blame you for hoping that?" Devero braces his elbows on his knees and leans forward over them, eyes on the crowd below. "Of course you'd want to make things better for the people you know, the world you live in."
light_of_willpower: (long-hair looking down hopeful)

[personal profile] light_of_willpower 2021-04-13 02:08 am (UTC)(link)
"It meant I wouldn't have existed though--not as I am. Nor would Mom, or Gohan. Or anyone." Trunks said, still meditatively. Then he was quiet for a bit, before shrugging. "In any case, it took a year to recharge the machine and then I went back--3 years later to them. Figured I'd help if I could."

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