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!
dragoonrouge: (Q'uila Study)

[personal profile] dragoonrouge 2022-01-06 05:04 pm (UTC)(link)
"Coffee it is!" With a showy flick of the wrist, a metal flask appears in her hand that she then decants into the mug causing the smell of strong coffee to settle on Yondu's corner of the library.

Her ears perk right up when she catches a glimpse of the book, "Void metal? Fascinating! Wherever did you get this?"
yondu: animated (2 7 2)

[personal profile] yondu 2022-01-06 08:53 pm (UTC)(link)
God he wishes he could just magically generate the drink of choice. Holy shit. "You're a lady of all the best talents. Make armor and magic up some coffee? One day you're either gonna make someone very happy or wreck their heart."

He takes the cup and lets it warm his fingers first.

"Ordered it out of the shop. I was thinkin' maybe of buildin' some kinda sensor with it so we could try an tell where people was goin' out of the fog. Or makin' some kinda of emotion antennae for the train if I could try out a yaka alloy. But I'd need to get your help with the forge for that... AND scavenge some metal 'cause apparently this shit is hard to come by."
dragoonrouge: (Q'uila Determined)

[personal profile] dragoonrouge 2022-01-16 06:43 pm (UTC)(link)
"Well, I shan't deny that that having a personal pocket dimension isn't convenient though I am not in the business of wrecking hearts, that sounds a little more like my brother."

She considers the book, her fingers itching for her notebook, "Aye, 'twould be valuable indeed to know where people go. Though the information from that representative seems correct it is always best to find out such things for ourselves. As for the forge," Q'uila thumps her chest above her heart with her customary smile, "Just say the word and I shall get the fires roaring. And lets hope that our next mission location has plenty of scavenging opportunities."
yondu: (1 9 3)

[personal profile] yondu 2022-01-17 08:31 am (UTC)(link)
"Sounds like a man to be proud of, right?" Hey, it was the type of person his boy was. Just, you know... Quill was unlucky at it. He chuckles slightly. But-

"Might need to do some scroungin'. We don't come across voidcraft often." A soft blow and he cools the coffee. "I gotta make sure people are makin' it home." Cherry, and now Siebren, too. Before he was secure she'd be fine at home. Now he knows it's not that easy. He hadn't been real family- at best, he was like a crazy uncle, but he had genuinely cared.

"We ain't supposed to use void metal for weapons." Though the tip of his head and the resigned shrug says that he actually doesn't care that much about rules.
dragoonrouge: (Q'uila Study)

[personal profile] dragoonrouge 2022-01-18 07:14 am (UTC)(link)
Q'uila snorts and rolls get eyes, ever the put-upon sibling, "Sure, though amusement and exasperation on my part are the usual feelings towards Felih's unrepentant flirting. 'Tis most amusing when it backfires though that is far rarer than I would like."

Yondu made a valid point, in fact she doesn't recall interacting with any void craft aside from the train during her time as a passenger, "Hmm, normally I would suggest a memo to all passengers to be on the look out for the stuff but I do not know if that would be wise now that we are being scrutinised more closely," Her nose wrinkles in annoyance, "Clearly there are rules and regulations around the use of material, though if they are to ban its use in certain constructions I would like to know their justification for such a thing."
yondu: animated (3 2 7)

[personal profile] yondu 2022-01-18 09:33 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, and I'll be honest? I still don't trust 'em. Even if they dumped information on us, we don't yet know how their priorities work. What we do know is that they immediately did a power display to show their advantages, but in doin' so confidently laid all their cards out on the table."

Yondu has many doubts. And really, really wants some of that void metal, and wants to see if he can make a void/yaka alloy.

"They don't allow voidcraft to fire on voidcraft in voidspace either. That one I was wonderin' about void damage. But not bein' able to even make a weapon out of it..."

Yondu knows they need allies. They need to be able to repair the void train should it break down. But he doesn't trust anyone.
dragoonrouge: (Q'uila Thinking)

[personal profile] dragoonrouge 2022-01-24 06:56 am (UTC)(link)
"And even if powers of theirs remain hidden, they have proven how they approach problems. And that approach left much to be desired, 'twas somewhat reminiscent of the beings that ran the place I was in prior to arriving on the Platform."

Q'uila thinks, her claws tapping on the surface of the table as she considers why a meterial would be restricted so tightly, "...Even if a material is rare, people will quickly work to ascertain the most useful properties of that material and use it accordingly. So for it to be banned for weaponry, well, I can only see that happening if the material either provides said weapon a power boost by cataclysmic orders of magnitude, or the effect of the weaponry is more than just superficial damage to one's body that is either incredibly difficult to heal or completely impossible to treat."
yondu: animated (2 8 9)

[personal profile] yondu 2022-01-24 07:49 am (UTC)(link)
"Oh, we know what #392 are powerwise. They got books on it in here. They're psychic, and they make up the bulk of the inspectors. And their tech works with their abilities, which means we cain't replicate it. But that don't mean we cain't make our own tech. Don't know about them other Ministry species but that's the one that decided their whole military set-up."

But he stalls to consider her thoughts on the matter. Personally? He's curious about both. His first priorities are an antenna or a drone, but the urge to be a little bit bad is definitely there. He wants to make a weapon, just to make a weapon.

"Considerin' one of us can kill anyone with about anything, it ain't real fair to put that restriction on us. Pretty sure I'd happily beat someone into the afterlife with a void metal toaster. Reckon that'd affect the rules?"
dragoonrouge: (Q'uila Thinking)

[personal profile] dragoonrouge 2022-02-03 07:00 am (UTC)(link)
She nods along with Yondu's train of thought, "At least that fact that there are other species in the Ministry is a known unknown, we can plan around that or at least account for it."

The toaster comment gets an amused snort and a flick of the ears and tail, "True, but I suppose until recently those rules did not account for our rather eclectic trope of chaos and the myriad abilities we have. Basically, we shall have to do some digging on the reasons behind the restriction, I would hesitate to make something and get the whole train slapped with some kind of punishment because of us."
yondu: (0 1 7)

[personal profile] yondu 2022-02-04 12:41 am (UTC)(link)
"Honestly I don't trust the Ministry to stay helpful. We needed allies. Someone to help fix the train if she became damaged. But I don't trust them to try'n keep us alive. All of us anyway."

Governments had a way of embracing the idea of acceptable losses. He couldn't expect the Ministry to be any different.
dragoonrouge: (Q'uila Melancholy)

[personal profile] dragoonrouge 2022-02-12 10:24 pm (UTC)(link)
"Agreed, assistance from an impartial third party would be welcome, though it would be even better if we could do it ourselves."

She groans, "Gods I hate politics."
yondu: animated (2 9 6)

[personal profile] yondu 2022-02-14 02:06 am (UTC)(link)
"I think we could." He sounds confident in it, if a little tired. "There's a bunch of real smart people here. If we could find folks with the right info and the right capacity to deal with us, we could do it."

He holds up three fingers. "World number three seems to be the first one to make some major strides in Void travel. Seems like they been keepin' up, too. I'm interested in talkin' to 'em. Lemme know if you come across anyone at one of these stops from around there. Even a casual laborer might be able to dig up a contact what can help us."
dragoonrouge: (Default)

[personal profile] dragoonrouge 2022-02-27 01:57 pm (UTC)(link)
Q'uila nods, committing the information to memory, "I will keep my ears to the ground then for them as well, and in the meantime I will have to think about equipment and tools that we could use if we ever get access to it."

A challenge indeed but Q'uila's perked ears clearly broadcasts her eagerness to tackle it.