voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post August]

A New Platform [Intro Post August]

On the Train

Everyone on the train might be suffering various states of exhaustion but a few days after the mission ends there is an announcement.

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

With points updated, everyone can spend the morning shopping, the shop has indeed been updated to allow them to buy large items. 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.

The doors open. As usual, those who leave first notice nothing, walking silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Auditi Blyght, Dio Brando, Entrapta, Handsome Jack, Hecate, Ken Ichijouji, Kerry Eurodyne, Lightning, Rose Tyler, Siobahn Chereshei, Six, Tani, Thief King Bakura, V, Woz, Xander Woods; 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 platform is shaded by two large trees, though the branches are almost bare, the ground beneath their feet is crunchy with leaves which the wind often picks up and swirls around them. The air has a chill to it, a blustery wind that will have them grateful for the hoodies they have found themselves in. Behind them through the fogs is a set of barriers, set in a brick wall and in front of them is a single set of tracks extending both ways into that same 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 on the foggy, blustery platform; then the fog begins to fade and they realise they aren’t alone.

The platform isn't large, but it is enough to hold the five 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 those intrigued by the claim of a parcel for every passenger they will find several large boxes filled with small bags in team colours.. Inside each bag is thirty red coins imprinted on each side with a golden sun. There is also a wristband. Adults over eighteen will find a black wristband, teens will find theirs is green and passengers aged twelve and under will find a yellow wristband. Each bag has a small label with a passengers name. On the other side of the label it reads: Keep these safe for now.

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 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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Mordin's been glad to have a chance to get back to the lab after being needed in medical after the mission.

He hasn't been on board long enough to be very familiar with all the passengers, but he does suspect this one might be new. Especially since he does recognize most who haunt the lab car. "Welcome to lab. Require assistance?"

"A-Ah, no, I just," Idia started to answer right away, both shocked and annoyed he can't just take in the Lab by himself, able to explore and poke around the area. However his answer was quickly forgotten as he spotted who, or more what, was talking to him. Just... what was it? He knows he's hardly one to talk about appearing strange, but Idia's never seen anything remotely close to Mordin before.

Realizing he's staring, Idia quickly snapped his gaze away. "I wanted to see what this facility was like. Many of my electronics didn't come with me."

"Salarian. Native to Sur'kesh." It's what the stranger is wondering, he might as well answer it. "Dr. Mordin Solus."

And then he'll get back to the key points. "Facilities basic, but room for expansion. Electrical engineering available. May need to scrounge for parts.

"What?" Idia stands there for a moment, confused with those words, having no clue what this being means, before realizing. "Oh. I... don't know what or where that is." Then noticing Mordin was also introducing himself. "I'm Idia, ah, Doctor." Though at least able to use his correct title.

Then back onto something Idia's more comfortable with. "Oh?" Then a drop in his tone, "Oh." Showing his disappointment in hearing that. "I did notice a lack of suitable tools." All his tools! Agh, he's going to have to remake them all. In a way though that would be interesting, Idia would be able to improve on his old designs, but it's such a pain to have to start from scratch.

"Few do. Humans seem to transcend universes. Other species less so." It didn't take very long to come to that conclusion. Actually explaining it will take longer.

"Tools can be purchased on board if not overly large. Will have to wait until next stop. Laboratory recent addition, still needs to be optimized." He'll figure out exactly which instruments he needs once he figures out which project is most interesting to pursue.

"The reality of alternative universes existing is...new to me," Though certainly one Idia's enjoyed in his pastimes of gaming and media, but to think that it would happen in real life. Then again, there was that one student in school that people talked about. Idia's heard the rumors, even if he never really followed up on it. "Though the theory behind it has always been interesting." All those possibilities that could exist.

"I didn't consider an inter-dimensional train as one." It's mumbled out in an annoyed tone, he not too happy with any of this. "Purchased? There's a currency on board?"

"New to most. Have to adapt quickly. Overwhelming evidence." Mostly the part where they're moving between them. There's no point in insisting it's impossible when they're living it. "Fascinating implications for physics."

Not his specialty, but interesting.

"Can check on terminals. On board shop, will fulfill orders at platform."

Idia... doesn't do 'adapt quickly'. He had his life set up how he wanted, or as much as it allowed him right now, and he liked it that way. Being dragged away into this? It was a nightmare. The only bonus to this all was the mass increase to such new knowledge, to a point he's a little lost on where to start and with what. It's... kind of exhilarating. Once he gets his tools made up and ready to use, then he can start experimenting with what he's discovered. "Maybe, though it appears the standards of physics may not be so simple. Not with so many worlds." He's not talked to a lot of people yet, but magic seems alien to some. At least until they got here.

"Oh?" That would explain the numbers by names, however. "...it didn't explain how to get more." Idia is used to having money, to being able to buy whatever he wanted when he wanted. It did tend to mostly be snack food, games, and resources for his creations, but it was always easy access for him. Would he have to make items to sell? He supposes he could do that... didn't want to, but could. Or... "Is it about these 'rescue missions'?"

"Physics much more complicated than previously thought. May have to consider branching out from biology. New areas to explore here." Everything he thought he knew has been tossed into disarray and he's decided that the appropriate response is to love every second.

"Appears to be main source. Working toward goals. Unclear what goals were last time." So he can't actually provide much information on that front. "Can always view tally. Place orders on console for next platform."

At least it seemed like there was several scientifically minded folk around, something Idia will appreciate once he gets past the much higher shock and stress of having to live in such enclosed spaces with so many other people. It may take some time. "I prefer robotics myself, but biology works as a good source for new ideas." He reaching up to tug on the edges of his team orange hoodie nervously as he spoke. Outside of school presentations he tends to not talk too much on his projects to others.

"Oh." That's... "That's horrible." It would mean he would have to go on these mission then if he wanted currency for items. So much for just holding up while others did the work.

"Robotics. Can be troublesome." That's one way of describing the Reapers and everything they take. But Legion had helped them admirably. "Other options available. Worse things than considering biological model."

"Appears to be simple employment contract. Involuntary nature troubling." THough it doesn't bother him given that he was in the middle of dying at the time.

Yeahhh no, Idia does not agree on that. "Robotics have endless opportunities, biology is limited unless it's enhanced with technology or magic." And why wouldn't someone want to enhance themselves with that? Why rely on the limitations of the body when you can surpass it? Then again he was talking to a... what was it again? Salarian, that's right. Well, he was talking to a biologist, Idia shouldn't be surprised Mordin would pick organic over robotic.

As for working, "I... guess I could." He was going to be in this fourth year of college next year anyway, he would have to taken up an internship at some point... and dreading it. The idea of working for others, of having to interact with others, to lose his freedom to create... this place was just making it happen sooner rather than later.

"Need to be cautious with synthetic life. Consider ethical implications. Results can be disastrous." And perhaps some of it was that no one ever thought about that fateful question the Geth asked.

"Missions better than doing nothing. Problem won't go away." He hasn't experienced a traditional one yet. But if they hadn't been there for the people from the other universes it would have been even worse.

That was... a rather specific concern to have. "That's an issue for your world?" Otherwise why even bring it up?

Idia raised a hand to hug his other arm to his body, looking away as he mumbled. "It's not my problem, why should I get involved? Other than it forcing us to..." He had enough stuff going on without needing to try and help out some random stop in some random universe.

"Major existential concern for galaxy. Won't see outcome myself." He accepts that. He had his own work to finish and he did.

"If we don't, who will? Problem exists. Won't fix itself. Responsibility to contribute to optimal outcome." NOt exactly a heartwarming speech about doing what's right. But it's still what he believes.

...Idia has no clue how to respond to that. Either part of it; the fact something happened with technology to put a galaxy in trouble, or that, well... what's being implied here. But, how is that possible? Mordin looked very much alive, so did he mean it another way? "Y-You mean... because you're here now?" Right? ...Right?

In a way Idia prefers how Mordin says that. It was just straight to the point, no unnecessary attempts to manipulate others into doing something. Maybe lacked a little drama to it, but drama was for games and shows, not for real life. "Expecting someone to come along and fix all your problems is unrealistic." Why was he even discussing this? Idia didn't want to do this, at all, but if he has to... "I guess I can think about it like it's a class." Something he has to do, didn't have a choice.

"Would not have survived circumstances immediately prior to arrival." He says it very calmly. He'd already accepted that when he went up the tower. THere was no way around it. Not that was morally acceptable. He had to distribute the cure. "Finished important task. Did most I could."

He doesn't like that he was seconds from death, but it's reality.

"Highly unrealistic. Have to work on problems within capabilities." And the problems are generally within the passengers' collective capabilities. "Will likely find experience highly educational."

"Oh." Well... that cleared that up, didn't it? Though Idia's now curious, "Do you not have ghosts in your universe?" Not that it meant ghosts were always helpful. Some were, some weren't. And maybe it's a little insensitive, but Idia's curious for new information, and there was just so much more out there now than he ever imagined there would be.

Mordin is also starting to sound like one of Idia's teachers. Responsibility this. Educational that. "I guess." Idia answers back, though certainly lacking the bit of enthusiasm he had with talking about robotics or inter-dimensional existence.

"Only stories. No compelling evidence." He's explored several religions, but none of them actually proved anything like that. There was no reason to think ghosts exists. "Death appears to be final in current plane."

He pauses.

"Except Shepard." Shepard is an exception for many things though.

That... makes no sense to him, Idia's brows furrowing for a moment, trying to decide if he wants to ask or not, and his curiosity winning out. "A-As in... sheep? Or dogs?" He likes dogs, but... has no clue what it has to do with death.

He frowns. Yes, he hadn't been clear enough here. "Person. Commander Shepard. Tends to view rules as suggestions. Often redefines parameters."

He's rather glad of it. The galaxy is in good hands with her.

"Oh." Well, that's, hm, well, pointless really. A dog would had been more interesting. But only if it was here. Then again, since the topic was about death... maybe not.

"Ah, well," Idia fiddled with the edge of his sleeves before jamming his hands into the pockets of his pants to stop him from doing that. "It's... nice to meet you, b-but I would like to keep looking around." Mordin may prove to be interesting to know later on, but right now, a bit overwhelming. Maybe once Idia is more settled in and able to accept the whole dimensional hopping.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

A New Platform [Intro Post August]

Lab

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