A NEW PLATFORM [INTRO POST JANUARY]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

Despite whatever Voidtreckers may have learned or how they feel about those revelations - or reminders - of the precariousness of their situation, the train flies ever onward.

"Good morning Voidtreckers, it is day one of the month of Poi. 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. The weather is dry but there is a chill to the air and a strong breeze." 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. Dairine, Okada Izō, Rapunzel, Satoru and Siebren; 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 thirteen new faces. Wearing hoodies in all four colours and 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 long with a grassy mound behind them. It is blustery and the air is cold, they will be glad of those hoodies.

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, windy platform; then the fog begins to fade and they realise they aren’t alone.

Thirteen figures, 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, with cans of corned beef lining the shelves.

For passengers that have bought items, these are also scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags. Those from purple who go to find their prize will find a large box containing a gingerbread train for them to share. Plenty enough to go around, even for the largest team.

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.

Snow Time: Rock Garden

Winter seems to have followed from Osiga and nested in the rock garden. There's a chill that nips in the air and a light snow (real snow) fills the air. A thin cloudy haze at the top of the carriage seems the source. Yet the kaleidoscope of the void will assure that this is no timely world stop.

People might have seen it occurring the night before. Snow falling heavy before tapering off with an odd precision, leaving a heavy blanket over the carriage 'ground'. By morning of Platform Day, a miniature winter has descended, ripe for snowforts, snowballs, angels and snowmen.

It's not just the climate that's changed. Many statues and rock features are missing or moved. Digging below the snow reveals soil now frozen but providing a barrier between the bare floor of the carriage. Keen eyes will see changes are made with safety and available space in mind. The fountain has been emptied but the pond and streams are frozen solid, allowing intrepid spirits to try slide-skating over the surfaces without the risk of breaking through. The mosaics are still around, and enchantments are in place to protect paintings and paper decorations from damp. Any plants have been sent to sleep or taken to safety.

The benches are still around. Paths and bridges are covered with fresh snow, but, as the day goes on, it's trampled down and or scattered. Najaran's woodfolk may be glimpsed near Jingyi's shrine or hiding in the shadows of rocks and statues still present, perhaps even buried in the snow and peeking out. Shy around humans, though those with pointed ears or Hylian lineage may find an easier time interacting.

There are signs on both doors of the carriage warning of the change and mentioning the dressing carriage will have winter gear, and it does: with hats, scarves, gloves and ice skates in a variety of sizes. Dispensers with warm drinks such as coffee, hot chocolate and hot water for tea are available in the Games Carriage.

Early the next day, the snow will be gone and the gardens returned to how they once were.

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

[backwaterimperial]

"The Ravagers sounds like a name that would be right at home with pirate gangs in my galaxy. Some of them were also way more organized than others," Some of them were before his time and before he enlisted with the Empire, but he likes to read up on his history. The Empire has cracked down on pirate gangs a lot in the last few years.

"I used to serve under this man, and we took down more than our share of pirate gangs. Brilliant man, made Admiral faster than most officers make Captain."

[yondu]

There's a note to that he catches onto. Normally Yondu notes when someone who works under someone loves them. Because that's how he'd been to Stakar. He'd had him up on a pedestal, the man that saved him from slavery, but the one he disappointed. He's done his best since to convince people in similar straights to be upfront about their feelings.

But also he sounds real Kree right now. Just something about the phrasing, the little edge of elitism. Like the *proud* kinda Kree. But folksier, which... throws him.

Anyway. Yondu's learned in his six months of being here not to jump to conclusions, and anyone deserves a chance because, well, he didn't but he got one anyway. "Stakar's a lot like that. But more the 'made an army from scratch' type." And now that he has no point to prove he'll absolutely talk up his former leader. "Sounds like your guy got ya set up real good."

[backwaterimperial]

"He did," Eli keeps his voice professional, like he's just talking about an old colleague. Yet there's a hint of wistfulness. "I originally just wanted to be a supply officer, but then I was assigned as his translator, and then he talked the higher-ups into making me his aide. I wasn't very happy about that at first."

Even if he came around, Eli still feels that he was justified in his anger at the time. "He was the best thing that happened to my career." And to me. "And, honestly, I think I was way more loyal to him than I was to the Empire itself. We found out that they were up to some pretty shady bantha dung."

[yondu]

Okay, well... that is very familiar, sadly. Of course the word 'Empire' reinforces that Kree notion, but he does get the whole 'owing your life or lifestyle to someone' thing. So he abandons the first train of thought (and he doesn't exactly relate it to Hera, as there can be any number of Empires out there).

"The problem with any organized force is ya always get a few bad eggs. Empires. Ravager fleets. The smallest little security office."

Which can be a great strategic advantage if you're an enemy, but makes some shit if you're on the disadvantaged loyal side. "Guess he lucked out in havin' someone loyal and with good ears." A translator would have to be.

[backwaterimperial]

"Honestly, he didn't even really need a translator after a while, unless he ran into the odd word or two that he was unfamiliar with. When we first met I had to explain to him that you don't say 'krayt spit' in polite company." Took Thrawn a while to get the hang of idioms, no matter how quickly he picked up Basic.

"The Empire... it was corrupt. We both knew that. There were good people in it, many of whom I served alongside or under, but the Empire itself had a lotta problems." Which is just as much of an understatement as saying that a kath hound will only be mildly annoyed if you pull on its tail.

[yondu]

That makes Yondu laugh wryly. "Well, don't worry. Train don't care how much ya use 'Krayt spit'. And it can't really get too corrupt around here, 'cause anything considered 'leadership' ain't really. I'm a Blue Team lead and I can confirm we have no real authority. I just dispatch information at the start and when arrivals show. So while I'm fully sure some folks might be capable of corruption, the strain of tryin'd probably give 'em a limo here."

He looks up again at the artificially rendered murk above them. "He gonna miss ya while you're out here?"

[backwaterimperial]

"He doesn't really cuss anyway. He's polite like that," The image of Thrawn saying a swear word is actually kind of funny. "He's also one of the few Admirals within the Empire who actually cares about people, be they innocent civilians and his crew members." It's why Eli considers himself lucky to have served alongside him and have him as a commander. Parck wasn't bad, but Eli wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else so long as he was with the Empire.

"Actually..." Eli hesitates, but decides that Yondu is trustworthy. "He's here too."

[yondu]

"Well, that's real lucky for you... and him that you're here, 'cause like I said, no form of leadership here is real an' when you see people doin' some stupid shit and can't holler at 'em it chafes ya in the sensitive bits somethin' special. He's gonna need the moral support just to watch that goin' on."

He finds it a little funny, though. "As much of a pain in the ass as this tetherin' business have been it's real lucky we have it with some of the folks around here. But even then? We got folks that can bring people back from the dead even before the train has to hit its reset button."

He gestures to Eli's cup. "I'm gonna top off my cup, ya want me to grab ya a li'l' more?"

[backwaterimperial]

"I just hope he doesn't get in over his head while he's here. He's got something of a hero complex, you see." At least, that's how Eli sees it. Thrawn constantly wanting to save the day, and save the whole galaxy while he's at it. Not content to sit back and leave things in the hands of others when he could do it better. "At least with no real leadership, he's not gonna risk any more court marshals."

He looks down at his own cup, seeing only a few drops of coffee left in it. "Sure, I could use a top off."

[yondu]

"Sounds like he made admiral and said, 'Try me!'. Good on 'im."

Yondu takes the cup obligingly and gets them both a couple of refills, which only takes a few seconds. "It's like a disease here. Ever'body is prone to gettin' themselves in trouble. My team is notorious for self-endangerment- honestly I think that's why we get the least dangerous parts of the missions usually. Preventative."

[backwaterimperial]

"You have no idea."

He gratefully accepts the refilled up and takes a careful sip of the hot drink. "I'm on orange team, myself, and my friend is on the red team." He was disappointed that they weren't on the same team, but the way he sees it, he can still help Thrawn by doing his part. And they can still see each other while on the train.

[yondu]

"Well, feel free to fuck off and hang out with him or drag him with you. Red is full of crazy powerful people. Got this one buddy on red? Goddamn, he can tear a buildin' down by fartin' in it's general direction... and I'm pretty sure I ain't even exageratin' to be rude. Vegeta's somethin' else."

He sounds pretty proud of his friend, though. He didn't have that many before showing up here. Now that he's got a few? They have his undying loyalty. He's that kind of team player, even if they're not so much a team.

[backwaterimperial]

"I think he's more likely to drag me along with him," Not that Eli would complain. "Thrawn could probably take down an entire army with just a light Corvette." He's exaggerating, but not by much. That man's pulled off miracles. Eli also figures that he can help Thrawn by doing his own team's duties, and if Thrawn has need of him then he'll request Eli's help. "Your friend's power with Thrawn's genius, bad guys had better watch themselves."

[yondu]

"And he's just one of 'em. Red Team is wild like that."

Though he's pretty sure that it might end up in some kind of pissing match. Vegeta is, after all, still a prince. But Yondu himself loves being a part of a team (though not in the way the train had teams, in the way some teams you made yourself were between families and fighting units). The best days of his life were as a part of a team.

"You might be able to get ya some light armor if ya talk to Q'uila, the Spider, or Elidibus. Also we got a 3-D printer you can manage to assemble components with, if you can get the specs and the recyclable material."