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

[consider8]

That was a relief. "It's okay." She responds, taking a seat next to him. "Take your time." Nothing else she would say would really help. The only thing that she could do was stay present and give him the opportunity to gain his bearings, and maybe answer any questions he may have.

[amnesiadragon]

"It's... I just... they're all gone." His voice is quiet and hoarse, almost desperate. "I'm... it's too..."

His arms shake and he drags his fingers against the ground. "I can't..."

[consider8]

Eight isn't sure of the situation, and it sounds like the boy isn't either. But if there was one thing that she could tell was that he needed time.

"Take a moment. Settle your thoughts. You are in no danger here." She intuits that's not the source of his anguish, but as he was the only one here, there's nothing he nor she could do.

[amnesiadragon]

"It's not me that I'm worried about. It's... it's everyone else." He pulls himself into a sitting position and takes a deep breath. "I... killed them..."

[consider8]

What...? But, no... he seemed pretty confident of that. The why's can wait, rather there was too much unsaid.

"...are you sure? How did you kill everyone?"

[amnesiadragon]

"I lost control... I can't... they were hurting the villagers. I wanted to save them... I couldn't. So I lost control at the soldiers..."

[consider8]

Poor kid. She had seen this before. It is hard when they first take a life. Harder still when it becomes too much. Its a lumpen weight that you carry with you for the rest of your life. If anything, it gets easier the more you do it, which makes these moment worse in a way.

"It's okay. It's okay. Breathe. Shhh... No one will hurt you here. Shhh..."

[amnesiadragon]

He takes a deep breath, letting it out slowly. Another breath, and he's shaking a bit less. "I don't know where that transformation came from... it wasn't my usual one. B... but... at least they won't be hurting the villagers anymore..."

He has to focus on that. If he doesn't, he's going to lose himself to despair.

[consider8]

He's overwhelmed and needs help. At the very least, he needs to be brought to a better place than the floor of the platform.

"Do you think you can stand?"

[amnesiadragon]

"I... I think so." He pushes himself up off the ground, wavering a bit but still able to keep himself from falling over.

[consider8]

She's quick to support him, though her frame is practically a full head shorter than his. She also feels slightly wet. But she's present and stable!

"Okay. We're going to go inside the train so you can lie down. Take your time and as many stops as you need. It won't be going out for a while. And I'm not going anywhere."

[amnesiadragon]

The fact that she's wet makes him shudder a bit, but he still leans against her. "Am I really... supposed to be on that thing? It looks like a really long sandflier..."

[consider8]

"Yeah." She said heavily. She knew that the train had him and that the pull would inform him that they would have to get on board one way or another. At least this way he's getting help.

"We all are. Its going to be your new home for a bit." She takes a deep breath. "...sorry."

[amnesiadragon]

"... Home?" He understands the concept, but... "My home is with my friends..." Wherever they are. He's surprised he hasn't seen them already.

[consider8]

Mmm. She gives the moment a thought, but seeing as he was alone on the ground. But...

"Do you see them?"

[amnesiadragon]

He looks around and hangs his head sadly. "... No... I don't..." Most of them are pretty distinct compared to a lot of the people here.

[consider8]

"You were the only one here when I arrived on the platform." She informs him. "That happens sometimes. Arrival... displaces you." Her arm wraps around his, giving him a consoling squeeze. "We can search inside, later, as only inside the train may you find someone you know."

[amnesiadragon]

"Okay." He doesn't further resist being pulled onto the train. His steps are slow, but they're at least steady. It doesn't seem like he's in any more danger of falling over, at the very least.

[consider8]

She nods. "Just so you are not alarmed. The train may move and you may move and you won't be back here for two weeks. It is also possible that no one you know is on board." She didn't want to discourage him, but she also felt that he had every right to know everything that was about to happen.

Sorry, Ryu, you're about to go on a journey.

[amnesiadragon]

"I... I've already been on a journey. I've been trying to find the other half of me." And it's not like he can go up to people and ask if they've seen the First Emperor. Even if they knew, they probably would try to capture him again.

[consider8]

"Oh..." So, he's been separated from his romantic partner? That must be rough. Because how else were she to know that was actually literal. "Well, I cannot promise you will find her, but there are hot meals, ...beds, and blankets for you as we go." Feeling as though he knows what will happen well enough, it was time for him to be brought aboard.

[amnesiadragon]

"Him. The First Emperor. I know it sounds crazy, but... things went wrong." He shakes his head. "I do... like food. As long as it's warm. I don't like being cold at all... I hated how cold the mountains were."

[consider8]

"Oh, okay." Him? Well, there were people who liked someone of their own sex too. It must be tough being in love with an emperor...

"Let us get you inside, then. It isn't my turn to cook, but I will see what small thing I can make for you while you get some rest. How does that sound?"

[amnesiadragon]

"That... sounds good. I think Nina said I was supposed to rest... I remember her putting me to bed after..." After he lost control.

After he killed them. He shudders again and leans on her a little bit more.

[consider8]

She pulls up a bit to support him more, doing her best to guide him smoothly. From what it sounded like, this boy had people looking out for him. A squad, perhaps? Only what sort of squad would have ready access to beds and not a cot?

"We'll just have you sit down for now. The mess hall is pretty close. After we get you settled in some, we'll go to your room where you can rest." The shuddering made her worry though. Perhaps something familiar would help settle his nerves. "What is it that you enjoy eating? What is the food from home?"