voidtreckerexpress | A NEW PLATFORM [INTRO POST JANUARY]

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!

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He does keep up pretty well until at one point he Notices, and at that point he has to dodge, even bringing up his gauntlet-turned knife-holster to guard in case he doesn't make it in time.

He barks a "Hold up! Hold up!" before pointing at Vegeta.

"...I didn't know your tail could do that much."

Yes, it's worth noting, because that's crazy useful!

The instant Yondu stops playing along, Vegeta freezes each orb in it's place. They may still look rather menacing, he being surrounded from all directions from them, but they won't move unless Vegeta wants them to. For his part Vegeta is mid sip from his sports bottle he normally brings along for breaks, raising a brow at Yondu's shock and surprise.

Then barking back, "What did you think it was for, decoration?!" Not that Vegeta uses it a lot to show off. He will now and then in the kitchen while cooking, to grab stuff if his hands are busy, but for the most he keeps it safely wrapped around his waist. And of course for training when he's focused on fighting with it. "It's another limb."

"I dunno! I just ain't seen you do it before. ...That's real handy. About as handy as somethin' without an actual hand could be."

See, it's one thing when your buddy is impressed by your super awesome fight moves. And he is! He's expressed so many times and even talks Vegeta up to other people. But he's also impressed by this incredible little burst of buttmobility he didn't know about.

That... is quite a mental image, having a hand on the end of it... yeah, no, Vegeta doesn't like that, a shake of his head to send it away. "It certainly has offered me options back I had been missing."

"For most Saiyans their tails were a weakness as well as a strength, so keeping them close to us were a way to help protect them. Any decent Saiyan learned to use this to their benefit, as many forget that it's another limb to fight with," Then a huff of a laugh, not a nice one. "Until they get hit with it."

"If you throw someone with that tail? Or whack 'em good with it? I wanna see it." Please, it'll be one of the best things. No one would see that shit coming.

"Hell, it's even good for a cupholder but goddamn I'd pay good money to see you whoop ass with your own ass."

"If you are present when a chance presents itself." Vegeta leaves it at that. It all comes down to being in the right situation, and that includes a target. However, "I have been training Trunks not to overlook alien anatomy by using it when I believe he's not expecting it." Got to keep the boy on his toes.

Vegeta then levels a very flat look at Yondu. "You cannot use it as a cupholder." Don't even think about it.

"Good idea. I had to train Quill on all kinds of that shit. Especially since he couldn't use any of his blood father's powers at the time. He was just sturdy." But then he pulls a face.

"I wasn't gonna ask."

But that made him think about it, briefly, and what kind of bizarre situation that would be. Still, not going to ask. Just gonna move on to the more real question. "How's Trunks been?"

"As well as can be." Vegeta answered as he let his hand controlling the orbs drop, the ki vanishing away as he did so.

"He's been training me how to use a sword." He adds, actually offering that without a need for prompting.

"Oh yeah? Cool. Swords are real clean if you can use 'em right. Finish somethin' off quick without prolongin' it. How are ya with it?"

He bets that even Vegeta wielding a campfire log could do a fuck of a lot of damage but he's self-critical enough to be honest about his progress. Yondu was always a dagger man himself, as they're pretty easy to hide. The one in his arm sheath currently is a candy-red display.

"After the incident at the last space station stop I decided I needed another option in case a similar situation arises again." It would take time for Vegeta to get comfortable with using any weapon, however Trunks was a good teacher, and knew his father's temper well for when it snapped in irritation.

However... Vegeta struggles with a way to answer Yondu's question, his pride not allowing him to admit he isn't instantly an expert at it. Logically he knows that is not possible... but he's spent so much of his time training, perfecting what he was capable of doing, that to start from step one was difficult for him. "I'm... learning." That answer having a bit of a snap to it.

The snap doesn't detract from the interest, though, and Yondu barks a sharp, 'Hah!' but not at Vegeta's lack of skill.

"Man I seen some poeple use some special laser swords? Bet someone with your strength could casually dissect a ship or somethin'. Nice!"

Even if he's learning, he's apparently very happy with the fact Vegeta was doing something that could eventually wreck some shit.

It's a good thing Yondu expanded on that laughter, Vegeta's brows already dropping, ready to snarl back something, however it vanished as quickly as it appeared as he calmed again. "Provided the weapon is suitable to do so. Often it's not a case of being limited by strength but by using tools with it." He's certainly learned that over the years, Bulma asking him to move something that would normally require heavy duty machinery to move, only for him to do so and end up leaving finger dents in the surface. Strength was not the issue, the weight of the item on a specific area that didn't allow for the weight to transfer across it often was the issue.

A sword or any weapon would have the same trouble, everything physical would eventually have a breaking point. "If I required to do so and wanted to use a sword, I would use this." Vegeta raising his hand to the side away from them both, a blade of ki extending from the end of his hand and resembling a long blade shape.

Like Yondu'd ever scoff at Vegeta! Well... maybe, but the situation would have to be pretty dire. A good solid rejection and something could wrap that soft heart of his in barbs again.

Oh hey! That is pretty great. Yondu nods approvingly, making a little Yeah, alright! kind of face, as much as one can describe an expression as that.

"How much ki can use in a fight? Do you start wearin' out at some point?"

The ki flickered back away as Vegata no longer needed it, moving to cross his arms over his chest instead. "Most of the fights in my world are against challenging opponents, often it requires a high output over a short period of time to defeat them quickly." Ideally that is, unless he was playing around with them. Because that has never come back to bite him before... "I and others have to be mindful not to damage the actual world we're on too greatly though, it would be easy to go all out but destroy the planet itself. It has to be balanced."

"Here I haven't had a need to push far enough to come close to being exhausted." Although, "Unless I'm starving." Saiyans really did run on great amounts of food. Vegeta can work through hunger, he certainly has before, rage was a great replacement fuel, but that would only work for a limited time too. If there was no energy in the body to burn you started to do damage to the body itself.

"So you do got a limit, just one you're unlikely to hit."

Yondu considers, but then he mentions all the food and that makes him grin. Yeah, makes sense. Guy looks like he could eat twice his weight in a day just to maintain that build alone.

"Remind me if I ever throw a party again to make sure there's a hell of a lotta food. I don't wanna sustain you on appetizers."

"Unfortunately." And annoyingly. How was he supposed to improve if he couldn't push himself?! Even with the supposed durability of the train, it's not like Vegeta can go all out, there was always someone else around that may get injured if he did so.

"Ask Bulma then, she's aware of how much I need." And tends to be the one to sort out food for when they had events or went out.

"I don't know that I coulda talked you into helpin', I wasn't much of someone you'd wanna know at the time, but I wish I'd met you sooner just for the chance of takin' care of someone that was just as bad as Freeza... if not worse, in my opinion. No armies but he didn't have conquerin' in mind. He just wanted shit gone."

And he'd asked for help, but no one would because he just... he'd gone about it all wrong and was too prideful to be contrite. But it's nice to think of knowing someone that could have easily fucked over Ego.

"If it hadn't been a risk to my Earth or the universe itself, it's unlikely I would had offered aid, unless specifically asked to." And then only if it was considered a challenge to him. It was nothing person, Yondu, it's just the universe was a big place and he wasn't about to just go around helping every planet who needed it, even from the likes of Freeza. Vegeta protected what was most close and important to him, and for the most that was all on Earth.

"The God of Destruction of my universe tends to be like that as well. It is his job to eliminate dangers to the universe and keep balance, but he also has a short temper and a tendency to destroy planets whenever one angers him even in the slightest." And Vegeta has had a history of destroying planets just for fun... so was he really the best to be asking this about?

"He was." Yondu says simply, nearly too quick in how big a threat Ego was, though there's a tone to it that's a little grim, that previous admiration ebbing.

"He was... well, bigger than I can understand. Think on the level of that God of Destruction. I got to help kill 'im before I wound up here but the whole universe woulda been a much better place if I'd found someone and managed it sooner."

The whole of the Ravager fleet could have done it, he's pretty sure, but he blew his chance for that.

Ah, he sees. "I guess that is the benefit of having Beerus and Whis around and aware of what is happening in our universe, he's able to take care of it if it is a true threat." A moment to think. "If he feels like doing so." And not asleep.

"At least this Ego is gone for your universe." Even if it had cost Yondu his life. Sometimes you just had to take that route to try and protect those important to you, and Vegeta's glad to hear for Yondu it had worked out. Less so when Vegeta had tried it against Buu...

"I know you cain't undo what's been done but it's nice to think about, you know? Somewhere where you got it right early on?"

Besides, he doesn't know a whole lot of people as badass as Vegeta. Peter was the one that came closest, and that was only for that brief while when he embraced his father's power.

"What's a Beerus and a Whis again?" 'Again' he says, but he can't recall hearing much about them before. For now he decides to tuck his arrow back into its holster at his side.

"Beerus is the God of Destruction of my universe, Whis is his angel. Kakarot and I were being trained under Whis before I was taken away." And with Goku popping up around the place now and then... however that worked. Vegeta doesn't understand it at all, nor does he care right now. He doubts even if it was explain to him he would truly get it. It was such a big concept to understand.

"That is when he actually decides to do his job and not just nap or eat all the time." Really Beerus, take your role more seriously. Then again, no doubt their universe would be much emptier if he did...

"I feel like maybe it's good that he's lazy, 'cause most of us cain't punch a God in the face for takin' somethin'. As much as I woulda liked to sometimes."

There's that resentfulness back. But, yeah, just gonna voice Vegeta's own train of thought there about the general content of the universe. "If Ego ever showed up here I probably couldn't get away with punchin' 'im like you got Freeza. Unless bein' away from his universe weakened 'im or somethin'. But the temptation would be there."

Hell, he'd be willing to get obliterated trying just 'cause he knows someone else more capable would put him in his place.

"...Bulma ended up slapping Beerus during their first encounter." It... had been ugly. Vegeta almost blew his lid seeing her do that, he was sure they were all dead the moment her hit had landed.

... he also is NOT going to mention what happened afterwards.

"It doesn't appear to have that effect on those coming here." Vegeta said, quickly moving on. "I've felt no drop in my abilities since I arrived here, so I doubt others would feel any different."

He snorts upon hearing that. "Sounds about right." It's pretty funny, actually, even if he's sure that Vegeta probably near about had a heart attack.

"It's a damn pity, though. At least I could see 'im around people stronger'n' him."

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A NEW PLATFORM [INTRO POST JANUARY]

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