A New Platform [Intro Post October]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

The train continues its journey

"Good morning Voidtreckers, it is day sixteen 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. Asch, Ayumi Uoshida, Cleopatra Selene, Della Duck, Ghost, Hanuel Min, Jaisyn Solo, Jonathan Sims, Martin Blackwood, Nie Huaisang, Vermouth; 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 four new faces. Wearing hoodies, three in purple one orange, 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 relatively small, a brick wall behind them and cracked flagstones on the floor. It is cold, icy cold but the wall at least shelters them a little.

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, freezing 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 four 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 yadon tail, as well as all sundries.

For passengers that have bought items, these are also scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags.

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

[averyusefultray]

"The two on my crew are the only ones any of us know about for sure. THere might be others but... it's a big galaxy." Some of the things Ezra has said suggest there might be others, but that doesn't help the current situation.

"Those are good places to start. The Ghost is a modified VCX-100 and that's how I taught Ezra to fly."

[schrodingersghost]

"I'm sorry. That sucks a lot."

He snickers a little at the coincidence in the name. "That's your ship? Great name."

[averyusefultray]

"It does." That's putting it mildly, but it's accurate. "I've heard enough here to know it gets better."

She grins. "It's modified for stealth. Drives the Empire up the wall."

[schrodingersghost]

"Good to know its living up to the name." He's grinning.

[averyusefultray]

"I've never convinced any Imperial outposts they're haunted. But I keep the idea in mind." It's not a bad plan in the right circumstances.

[schrodingersghost]

"I bet you could really confuse them with a little effort. Do they usually believe in ghosts?"

[averyusefultray]

"Depends on what planet they're from." The Empire tries to stamp out such beliefs. Too close to the existence of Jedi. It's varied. "But add in a couple telekinetic crewmembers and we could make them change their minds."

[schrodingersghost]

"To be honest, that kind of sounds fun. I can't do it at home since everyone believes in ghosts these days. And, uh, ghosts in my world don't really do subtle."

[averyusefultray]

"Sabine could probably toss some interesting special effects in..." This is actually starting to sounds like a useful plan. Now they just need the right Imperial base to hit with it.

"They believe in them but just accept that they'll be there?"

[schrodingersghost]

"Well, my town gets attacked by ghosts multiple times a day. People just kind of expect it these days? So it doesn't really work as a distraction."

[averyusefultray]

"In that case the real distraction might be when they realize that what they usually do about ghosts won't work." IT's all about surprising people in the end.

[schrodingersghost]

Usually that's waiting around for me to do something about it. So, again, not a great distraction.

[averyusefultray]

Hera raises an eyebrow. "Ghosts are a common problem and you're their entire plan?"

This seems like poor planning from the general population. Especially if their only plan gets abducted by an interdimensional train.

That was admittedly not a common scenario, but he could be busy with another ghost problem, she doesn't imagine they take turns.

[schrodingersghost]

"There's also a couple of human ghost hunters. But, yeah. It usually comes down to waiting for me to get there." He frowns. "My friends can handle some stuff with my parents inventions. I just hope nothing big came through while I've been stuck here."

[averyusefultray]

"Is there a reason those inventions aren't used more widely?" They could just be new, of course. Or it could be something else entirely. They sound like a better solution than putting everything on one teenager. "They expect a lot of you."

[schrodingersghost]

"A lot of people still think my parents are crackpots. Also most of their inventions have a bad habit of exploding. Or targeting me." He shrugs. "No one else can fight the ghosts like I can. If I don't do it, who will? There's human ghost hunters, but they all hate ghosts. And they can't fight like I can." A grimace. "And the government ghost hunters are the worst. They don't care if anyone else gets caught up in their attacks."

[averyusefultray]

"It's good to do what you can." There are certain responsibilities with great power. "But you still should have help. Do you think there's a way to make the inventions... explode less?"

Explosions are generally the sort of things that only solve specific problems.

[schrodingersghost]

"They run on ectoplasm, so probably not. It tends to be a really exciting and weird form of energy."

[averyusefultray]

She can't help smiling at that. "Oh, Sabine would have fun trying to figure out how to get those under control."

[schrodingersghost]

"For one thing, if you leave it near food too long, the food will turn into a ghost and swear revenge against all food eaters."

[averyusefultray]

Hera pinches the bridge of her nose. THat's... a new one. "That's... exploding sounds a lot simpler."

Revenge against all food eaters. What even.

[schrodingersghost]

"Pretty much. And that is why my parents no longer keep the ectosamples next to the leftovers."