voidtreckermods: (voidtrain)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] voidtreckerexpress2021-07-01 05:55 am

A New Platform [Intro Post July]

On the Train

Like clockwork, the Voidtreckers are awoken by a familiar message this morning.

"Good morning Voidtreckers, it is day one of the month of Merriment. Points have been updated on the system."

With points updated, everyone can spend the morning shopping. Most people will 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. Without the fog, it would be difficult to tell they'd made the transition out of the Void - the platform is dark, save for soft blue lights high up in the ceiling.

The doors open. As usual, those who leave first notice nothing, walking silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Luke fon Fabre, Lan Wangji, Xiao Xingchen, Ann Takamaki, Meng Yao, Cleopatra Selene II, Jaisyn Solo, Rogue, Adam Parrish, Yuume Souryuu, Pepper Potts, Ray, Futaba Sakura, Beetlejuice, Tony Stark, Kotoha Kakimoto and 47; all pass across the platform, not looking back. And then they're gone, disappeared through the barriers and into the fog beyond.

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 find themselves on a platform. The grey tiles underfoot and the concrete arches overhead are hard to discern for those with ordinary eyesight; the area is almost pitch black. At the first motion among the newcomers, however, faint blue light suffuses the area from above - striplights have been activated. Behind them is a set of barriers, half-sunk into a wall of fog, and in front of them is a single set of tracks extending both ways into that same thick fog. The air is cool and still, almost stagnant, save for the slight breeze coming along the tracks.

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 dark haze; then the fog begins to fade and they realise they aren’t alone.

The platform isn't large, and seems smaller with twelve figures scattered around, all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. Then there is 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 pours a strange assortment of people, over a hundred at least. 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.

Behind them, the doors close, and the train is cloaked in the same fog that hides the world beyond the platform.

The Train

After a short time, perhaps ten minutes or so, the fog clears and 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 several crates of coconuts, bottles of coconut oil and tins of coconut milk, the ingredient of the month of Merriment, as well as all sundries.

For passengers that have bought items, these are also scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags. For each member of Purple Team, a small golden cardboard box with their name on it contains a slice of cake.

New passengers will find their ticket allows them into their cabins. In most rooms, the occupied beds are obvious, leaving the spotless, empty spaces for the newcomers. 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 taking advantage of the arguably fresh air, and 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!
partofthecrowd: (Huh?)

[personal profile] partofthecrowd 2021-07-01 08:41 pm (UTC)(link)
Rui was somewhat startled by the question as she was picking up her packages.

"Um..." She responded momentarily. "Cute outfits, I hope. I asked for two at random so I am hoping for the best."
so_dark_a_road: (#216 -- ^@exp&desat)

[personal profile] so_dark_a_road 2021-07-02 12:13 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh, you chose the random outfit option," answered Curufin. "I think most people are happy with that one when they come to collect the goods and find out what delightful new clothes they have to wear. I hope you are."

He smiled. "My name is Curufin. Team Orange. Who are you?"
partofthecrowd: (Default)

[personal profile] partofthecrowd 2021-07-02 02:56 am (UTC)(link)
"I did." Rui said with a smile. "I did last time too."

She twirled around a little bit, showing off the dress she was wearing. "I got this last time."

"I'm Ninomiya Rui. I'm also on team orange." Not that anyone could tell in her cute clothes.
so_dark_a_road: (rainy day in the forest)

[personal profile] so_dark_a_road 2021-07-02 05:34 am (UTC)(link)
"I'm glad," said Curufin.

"What an attractive dress! The train seems to know your tastes. Pleased to meet you, Ninomiya Rui. Welcome to Team Orange. Or rather, since you've been on the team for a bit, I hope you've felt welcome."
Edited 2021-07-02 05:35 (UTC)
partofthecrowd: (Oho!)

[personal profile] partofthecrowd 2021-07-02 05:39 am (UTC)(link)
"Thank you." Rui said with a bright smile. "It seems to, I can't complain, this one's really great."

She just had to find her new packages.

"I think so. I didn't work on the last mission because computers are more my thing, but hopefully I can work with the orange team this time."
so_dark_a_road: (#216 -- ^@exp&desat)

[personal profile] so_dark_a_road 2021-07-02 11:49 pm (UTC)(link)
"Computers are really not my thing," said Curufin. "But I do have craft skills and I'm an electrical engineer, so I'm not useless to the team. But if you have computer skills, that's good! We can always use more of that type of expertise."
partofthecrowd: (Smile)

[personal profile] partofthecrowd 2021-07-03 02:35 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh, wow, that's really impressive actually." Rui complimented. "I don't really know any of those things."

She'd really just focused on the computers, and a few languages.

"I created my own social network and I run my own company. I have millions of people worldwide who use my service."
so_dark_a_road: (among the contending princes)

[personal profile] so_dark_a_road 2021-07-05 01:47 am (UTC)(link)
"Everybody to their own form of expertise!" said Curufin. "But thank you for the compliment."

He nods, listening to Rui's credentials.

"That's pretty impressive, that you've created a social network and a business. And you have millions of customers or users!"
partofthecrowd: (Default)

[personal profile] partofthecrowd 2021-07-05 04:08 am (UTC)(link)
"Thank you." Rui smiled. "I'm proud of my work, at least."

She felt as though her work was the biggest thing she'd accomplished. She located her package with a smile.

"Here it is."
so_dark_a_road: (flickers of light)

[personal profile] so_dark_a_road 2021-07-06 01:48 am (UTC)(link)
"From the sound of it, you should be proud!"

He watched as she picked up the package. "It'll be interesting to see what's in there," he remarked.
partofthecrowd: (Oho!)

[personal profile] partofthecrowd 2021-07-08 01:35 am (UTC)(link)
"With any luck some more cute outfits." She gestured to her dress and opened the first one eagerly enough.

It was a bit plain for her tastes, but it was a cute sunflower dress, with a purse, boots and a bucket hat.

"Oh okay, that's not too bad!" She thought she could work with it, at least.
so_dark_a_road: (the softer side of armageddon)

[personal profile] so_dark_a_road 2021-07-08 02:01 am (UTC)(link)
Curufin had no objection to plain outfits, as that had been the style in his world, for the most part.

"Nice! I'm sure you can wear that one for many occasions."
partofthecrowd: (Default)

[personal profile] partofthecrowd 2021-07-08 12:34 pm (UTC)(link)
"I think you're right, although I'm happy with more elaborate things, regardless of the occasion." She chuckled lightly.

"I have all kinds of really nice clothes at home, so I was a little scared ordering at random, but it's worked out so far."

Then again, she had one more package to go..
so_dark_a_road: (in the unmeasured night #3)

[personal profile] so_dark_a_road 2021-07-09 03:02 am (UTC)(link)
"You know you can order specific items of clothing or specific whole outfits, don't you? The train didn't used to let us do that, there was only the option of random clothes. But that's how I got this!" He gestured to his goth Elf outfit. Black jean jacket, black t-shirt, tight black jeans, and black laceup boots.

"I tried to order it from the train store, but the train wouldn't go for that. And then Tony Stark offered to pay for it, and for some reason, the train did agree to that. So I got my modern clothing. And shortly after that, the train started taking orders for whatever clothing we desired, whether from our own worlds or not."
partofthecrowd: (Thinking)

[personal profile] partofthecrowd 2021-07-09 03:02 pm (UTC)(link)
"I would've liked to order my clothes, I have some very nice items at home, but unfortunately I didn't have the points. It was much more expensive than asking for things at random, but so far it's worked out."

She opened the last package and pulled out antoher dress which was a flashy blue number and she smiled brightly.

"Oh this one looks nice!"
so_dark_a_road: (sit not idle in grief)

[personal profile] so_dark_a_road 2021-07-17 03:05 am (UTC)(link)
"I spend my points mostly on other people, so if you have something you'd like but you don't have enough points, just let me know what it is. I'll order it."

Curufin smiled too, when Rui openee the package. "Nice!" he exclaimed.
partofthecrowd: (Impassive)

[personal profile] partofthecrowd 2021-07-18 06:22 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh, that's a very kind thing to offer." Rui said with a sheepish smile. "I wouldn't want to take your points though."

She smile and tucked the dress back into the package for ease of carrying.
so_dark_a_road: (the bliss and beauty of Arda)

[personal profile] so_dark_a_road 2021-07-19 07:12 pm (UTC)(link)
"Don't worry, I have plenty of points. But it's up to you." He smiled back.

"Say, since we're both on Team Orange, I might see you on the next mission. Unless you choose to stay on the train, which some passengers do. And that would be okay too."
partofthecrowd: (Default)

[personal profile] partofthecrowd 2021-07-22 03:07 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh, no, I wouldn't." She promised with a smile. "I want to help. I don't really mind the mission, at least, I didn't mind the last one."
so_dark_a_road: (flickers of light)

[personal profile] so_dark_a_road 2021-07-23 05:14 am (UTC)(link)
"You'll benefit by going on these missions, as you'll get to help in ways you can't anticipate." He smiles back. "How was the last mission for you?"
partofthecrowd: (Default)

[personal profile] partofthecrowd 2021-07-23 10:26 pm (UTC)(link)
"It was alright." Rui responded with a smile. "I was able to teleport a lot of injured people to the hospital which was really helpful at the time."
so_dark_a_road: (these are my brass knuckles)

[personal profile] so_dark_a_road 2021-07-28 05:04 am (UTC)(link)
Curufin smiled back. "Good, good! I'm glad you have a power that can be so useful, and that you have the urge to help others with it. Of course, we won't know what perils we will face on this next mission, nor what we will need to do in order to help the people of that planet."
Edited 2021-07-28 05:05 (UTC)