A New Platform [Intro Post September]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

"Good morning Voidtreckers, it is day one of the month of Nebula. 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.

The doors open. As usual, those who leave first notice nothing, walking silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. A-Qing, Atem, Beauregard Lionett, Casper LeBlanc Jr, Donatello Versus, Frankie Bacon, Ichiban Kasuga, Kumoko, Lena Sabrewing, Mami Tomoe, Mono, Peter Parker, Reno, Shi Qingxuan, Tobari, Wen Ning; 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 open to a bright blue sky, speckled with a couple of clouds. It's very warm, enough that they will not want to stay in those hoodies for long. 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, blistering hot 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 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'). They will also find a bunch of posters around the train and might notice the new clock in the standard coach.

The store rooms have been restocked with fresh ingredients, the ingredient this month is a strange meat, yaddon tail.

For passengers that have bought items, these are also scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags. There is a box labelled for purple team containing a stick of rock for each member of purple team, including those who are new. Join in your teams success!

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!

Comments

[blitzcheer]

[ Oh! ] You can do it with the SCAs, right? Go through them? Uh.. how many people can you move around at once? People, I mean?

[partofthecrowd]

I need the SCAs to get myself around. I can transport five people besides through a gate as part of my transformation. The ring on my back? It's a gate. When we were helping people last time I think my limit was about five at a time.

[ It's not perfect maybe, she doesn't know how much the departed person could carry. ]

[blitzcheer]

[ There's a light 'ohhh...', as Tidus tries to vaguely remember everything from back on Kamakan. But, by the sounds of it... ]

So... you could do the job Webs was doing, I think. [ Ah, he should ask- ] What do you know about White and Black Squad?

[partofthecrowd]

Well, if transporting people from one place to another is the job, then I suppose I could. I don't mind helping. I transport my team at home everywhere we need to go.

[ She considers. ]

Not...not a lot, admittedly.

[blitzcheer]

Webs - Spider, the giant spider that lived out in the dressing car? She made Black and White squad as a volunteer group for jumping around on missions, to help people who needed it. Blacks were the people who'd move to help with fighting, and Whites were the healers.

They were called that 'cause of the bands she made, that let her know where you were so she could get to you. But... I guess you wouldn't need that? [ Probably? ]

Just their SCAs, right? To know where they are. But then you transport with your... back gate.

[ ...which sounds weird to say out loud. ]

[partofthecrowd]

Yeah, I mean, if someone called for help, I could come through the SCA and pick people up and take them somewhere. Another SCA as a link, or the train or anywhere with electrical devices.

No reason not to keep the bands though, if you ask me, since it would help with what problem people are trying to solve. I guess since I'm not super suited to either one I didn't think much about it.

[blitzcheer]

You can move around without 'em, so. [ So! Why would Rui need them if she could work without? ]

But if you're willing to take the job... I think Rol had a list of people Spider gave the bands to. We wanna make an announcement, or er, whatever's best for you? Let everyone know, whatever? [ Ah- ] And hey, I'll give you more of those ethers to take with you too. So you don't tire yourself out! Some missions can get you busy teleporting.

[partofthecrowd]

Well..don't people like them? They might not have the same function but they still identify people on the black and white teams.

[ She hesitates a moment at that. ]

Oh, you want me to make an announcement?

[ She hates doing those, they're somewhat dreadful aren't they? She supposes she can do it if she has to. They just usually give people a chance to insult her. Her past history of announcements online hasn't been great. ]

The ethers are kind of like energy drinks?

[blitzcheer]

Eh? The bands are fine, 'slong as I know! Nothing wrong with them. But hey, no rush with making an announcement. [ Since he notices that hesitation. ] We can do it later, or just leave a notice up. Spread the word via person - I can do that, if you want.

[ Keep it low-key. Tidus is willing to help regardless. ]

Uh, remember that bottle I gave you back in Kamakan? It's that. You don't need to drink them; just pour them out and it's like magic. [ He chuckles. ] --but if you want a couple of energy drinks, I've got a few going spare.

[partofthecrowd]

I can do it if I have to. [ She might not like it, but she can do it. ]

But, ah, not right now. [ That only makes sense, she'll do it later. ]

Oh, I remember! That feels nice when you use it, so I wouldn't mind that. [ She laughs at the question. ] Well..since I don't have to stay up all night coding, I probably shouldn't.

[blitzcheer]

How about you take two off me, anyway? So you have one if you want one. Just 'cause. [ Heheh. Bad enabler? But it's energy drinks, not a heart attack. ]

Unless you're trying to stay off them. Buuut, I bet you can find something to do if you really want. [ Like-! ] I got a bunch of computer parts to make a gaming PC. Gave them to Seto. Sound like they'd be up your road too?

[ If she wants to get involved. ]

[partofthecrowd]

Sure, if you need me to save you from them. [ She laughs a little bit, nah, she's not really trying to stay off of them. ]

Well, uh, you know? I don't actually know how to build a computer from scratch? [ She ducks her head a little bit. ] I really focused on the programming.

[blitzcheer]

Oh- that's what I was thinking, right? [ Save yourself here, Tidus! ] You'll need to put together a programme...to make all the different games work, right? 'least, uh- that's how computers sound to me?

So, once he sticks the computer together! How about I ask him? Since you're a programming pro!

[partofthecrowd]

Oh that, in that case, yes! [ She's smiling warmly all the same, he's not causing any problem with her anyway. ]

That I could help with, I just haven't really done the building part. I never really had to.

[blitzcheer]

I guess he wanted it in parts so he knew what was in there? [ Shruuug. Tidus doesn't know about these things, whatever, you smart people do what you're gonna do. ]

But cool! ...I wonder if he can hear us now? ...Setooo?

[blue_ice]

[ He's still at work, idly typing into his laptop. He briefly peeks over it. ]

You're welcome to the programming side. I'm running my own games on the VR sets, but I wouldn't be opposed to some friendly competition.

[ He may have a bad track record of keeping it friendly but he will try. Honest. ]

[blitzcheer]

Wh-! [ That worked!? ]

You hear that?! He was listening the entire time!

[ It's more of a 'oh see! He heard us!' response than accusatory, but. ]

[partofthecrowd]

Well it is an open network. [ She giggles just a little bit. ]

Sure. Let me know when you're done building it and I'll happily take a crack at it. [ She couldn't say she had a ton of skills, but she'd definitely mastered this very one. ]

[blue_ice]

I will. I hope you've worked with dragons before. But if not, I'd be happy to provide a more immediate demonstration of their flight patterns.

[blitzcheer]

Dragons? [ Huh?? What?

...does Tidus want to know what Seto's up to? (yes) ]

[partofthecrowd]

Dragons? No. My platform doesn't have dragons.

[ She has...honestly never thought about implementing dragons. ]