voidtreckermods: (voidtrain)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] voidtreckerexpress2022-01-01 05:21 am

A NEW PLATFORM [INTRO POST JANUARY]

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!
asheaveniswide: (pic#15371991)

[personal profile] asheaveniswide 2022-01-05 06:57 pm (UTC)(link)
He can work with that. Militaries inevitably had certain expectations of their troops, and it couldn't be that different from what he was used to as well.

It's ... almost a relief, if it goes as Zenos hopes it will. At least one person, alien though she may be, is likely to be as tolerable as any random bunkmate could hope to be. "How does the train compare to ship life? Mayhap you'll have answers that are closer to my experiences than I'll get from most." The interest isn't feigned either. "I've spent precious little time aboard a vessel expecting to stay away from a ground base for long, but the time I did have was rather... vividly impressive." For .. many reasons, from bland rations to having to write up schedules for who gets what shower time to an incredibly glaring lack of alone time..
averyusefultray: (Default)

[personal profile] averyusefultray 2022-01-06 05:02 am (UTC)(link)
"The food is better here." Surely the ultimate proof that she has a military background is that that's the first priority. "The train layout is a lot less efficient than most ships with everything being laid end to end. A lot more recreational options though."

Speaking of which. "The mission schedule is a lot more leisurely. Normally there's only one in a month." Practically a vacation by her standards.
asheaveniswide: (Default)

[personal profile] asheaveniswide 2022-01-08 12:18 am (UTC)(link)
"An unusual amount of time to leave one's conscripted forces idle." A really odd amount of time in fact, what else were they supposed to do? Socialize?

At least the rations won't be pure misery, which is something to look forward to. There had been a kitchen on the directions, he'd have to investigate who's cooking for this kidnapping parade and see if they take suggestions.

In the meantime, he's going to put his very scant few belongings inside the now empty cubby space. "What do our captors expect us to do in between these missions? Land somewhere mayhap and practice formations?"
averyusefultray: (Default)

[personal profile] averyusefultray 2022-01-09 07:00 am (UTC)(link)
"The expectations are strangely lacking. Sometimes we'll stop at another world in between for something people have requested. Training... shore leave even." She barely knows what to do with herself during those ones, though the kids certainly try to help.

"There are training facilities on board. A lot of the time though we're at... leisure." She says the word slowly, like it's foreign. It might as well be.
asheaveniswide: (pic#15371985)

[personal profile] asheaveniswide 2022-01-22 10:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Hera is given a look that can only be called disbelief.

Training he can understand. Shore leave? Leisure time? When they've all been kidnapped and pressed into service? Something is definitely peculiar here, that's not something that would EVER happen in Garlemald.

Just enough to keep morale at a comfortable level, but loafing around simply ... wasn't done.

"....I must then hope there is enough to keep a body occupied in some useful manner, lest all forms of skill rot away to nothingness." Leisure! "If the train wished us idle and comfortable mayhap it would better turn its interest to improved mattresses. These shall serve well enough but could be vastly improved."
averyusefultray: (Default)

[personal profile] averyusefultray 2022-01-23 07:43 am (UTC)(link)
"It takes a lot of getting used to." She's really not good at downtime, all things considered. "I've slept on worse, but the bedding does contrast with a lot of the other onboard luxuries."

"The missions keep us on our toes, even if the schedule is relatively predictable."