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!
canyounoct: (oof)

[personal profile] canyounoct 2021-04-10 04:03 am (UTC)(link)
"Nnngh, five more min, Iggy-" Noctis objected muzzily, the response automatic, when his arm was shaken.

But his position was awkward enough that he realized immediately - a) he wasn't in bed in a motel or camper, and b) he was in fact kidnapped on a train hurtling through a void.

Groaning, Noctis rubbed at his face before slowly sitting up, back already creaking and protesting. Devero had indeed done him a favor, considering the state of his spine. He mumbled muzzily, "Whattsgoin on?"
subcircuits: (encouraging)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-04-10 11:52 pm (UTC)(link)
"Nothing's going on, don't worry," Devero says, quick to reassure. "You just didn't look at all comfortable, conked out on the table like that. You all right?"

He figures it's probably just post-mission exhaustion, but he can't help but check in anyway.
canyounoct: (considering)

[personal profile] canyounoct 2021-04-13 01:28 am (UTC)(link)
Noctis shrugged a little, but figured this guy was just trying to be nice, wasn't he? He rubbed the small of his back, easing out the stiffness. "Yeah. I'm regretting passing out here already. Ugh."

Well, and now to answer the question. Slightly sheepish, he responded, "Kind of overdid it my first mission. I don't know if you were out in that during, you know ..."

He made a vague hand gesture. Between the demons and the siege weapon things and the giants, uh. Noctis didn't really know who all had been fighting in the fray.
subcircuits: (i see you)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-04-18 10:23 pm (UTC)(link)
"South Gate," Devero says with a nod, understanding exactly what he means. "It was brutal. You're not the only one who's still recovering from it."

He takes a seat on the far side of the table, folding his arms and leaning forward on them a little. "You doing okay, after all that? I don't know if I'd have been, having to run all of that as my first mission."

He's not really okay now and he'd already had a mission under his belt prior to their arrival on Erda.
canyounoct: (Default)

[personal profile] canyounoct 2021-04-24 04:31 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, probably not. There were a lot of people out there kind of ... doing whatever, it seems. It wasn't really organized?" Noctis winced. "Not like I can talk."

Noctis shrugged a little. "Beyond being exhausted? The mission was fine. I'm ... kind of used to that kind of thing. Well. Used to working together with people who'd back me up. Here, I've just got one of my friends."

And he winced again. "Not like I want other people getting kidnapped either. It's bad enough we're stuck here."
subcircuits: (just give me a moment to think)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-05-08 12:34 am (UTC)(link)
"You must have been at North Gate," Devero says. "Not like we were a military unit or anything at the South, but we had something of a strategy, at least."

Devero grimaces sympathetically. "I know what you mean. You can't help but want to see familiar faces, yeah? Same's true of any of us." Even him, and he's not terribly close to many people back home.

"Glad to hear this wasn't totally new for you, though. Makes it a little easier to handle the work we do."
canyounoct: (can you noct)

[personal profile] canyounoct 2021-05-08 05:12 am (UTC)(link)
"They're not just familiar ... we worked really well together," Noctis explained, even though he was keeping things pretty vague. "Well enough that, it's kind of weird not having them around when I'm in a fight like that. I kept turning around and expecting to see them there, or hear them shouting strategy, or something."

He shrugged, but nodded all the same. "Yeah. The fighting really isn't so bad. Could've done without one of those giants almost squashing us, but. You know, other than that."
subcircuits: (hunted)

[personal profile] subcircuits 2021-05-09 09:26 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh. Rust and ruin, mate, that's rough." Devero hasn't been part of a squad for a long time, not since the Guard, but he remembers that kind of camaraderie well.

Devero whistles. "Close call, huh? We-- had a few of those on our end of the city too." Don't mind that hesitation in the middle there.
canyounoct: (Default)

[personal profile] canyounoct 2021-05-11 03:32 am (UTC)(link)
Noctis sighed and nodded, but shrugged again. "I guess, it kind of is what it is. It's not like I want anyone else getting kidnapped."

He's pretty exhausted, though, so his usual 'trying to act positive' thing was probably a lot less effective than usual.

Devero's hesitation was noticeable. "Yeah, my friend almost got smushed. I know people say that we just, I don't know, come back to life in the luggage car, but. It's not like I'm going to let anyone die out there if I can helped it anyway."