voidtreckermods: (voidtrain)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] voidtreckerexpress2021-08-01 05:34 am

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!
mynameisallen: (232)

[personal profile] mynameisallen 2021-08-30 07:48 am (UTC)(link)
"I guess we have that in common. Not trusting the train to keep either us or those we care about. I've lost at least a couple of people who I was very close to already and even after nearly two years of that it still hurts."

Which is he knows not a great thing to think when it comes to the train, but this is something he was grown use to. But doesn't make the pain any less.

"Just got to hope that you stay another couple weeks everytime, but there is always that lead up, so close to platform dsy you usually get an idea at least compared to some other places where it happens suddenly."
yondu: (2 6 6)

[personal profile] yondu 2021-08-30 10:35 pm (UTC)(link)
"So you've been here since the beginnin', huh? Yeah, I'd imagine that'd wear on ya."

But he might as well ask. "What happened? Way back when. What was it like?" Because he suspects that in recent time it's been significantly different. Especially with people who didn't know about this place and with no one to explain it to them.
mynameisallen: (pic#15069892)

[personal profile] mynameisallen 2021-09-04 03:49 pm (UTC)(link)
"I haven't been on the train the whole time. I've been taken from one place to another over two years though and it does...really wear on you. I have a goal set in mind, but at the same time...two years of never seeing home. Never actually knowing... if the world I left is even okay anymore."

Considering the first place he went to worlds were all fallen into darkness. He had no way of knowing if everything was actually okay. He had the hope but he couldn't be certain.

"It ultimately sucks, but I'm happy to be able to help people. I want to save and help everyone regardless of who they are or thier past... Everyone deserves saving." With that last part he gave a soft smile. He was being truly honest in his words. Even with all the bad stuff he had that goal and it kept him going.