voidtreckermods: (voidtrain)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] voidtreckerexpress2022-09-01 04:47 am

A New Platform [Intro Post September]

The train returns to the Void base with speed. There is a considerable sense of urgency, no doubt shared by the voidtreckers themselves. There is some damage to the train, which those on board work on fixing.

The scientists back at base await them nervously, along with any voidtreckers who stayed behind. There's good news at least, in that the tether looping worked as intended.

Permission is sought for void technicians to enter the train and fix any damage. Any voidtreckers who wish to are welcome to use the tools and help repair, while others can report to the scientists about what they saw in the eye of the storm. Or perhaps they wish to just eat and rest; no one will stop them from going to their quarters.

Once everyone is up to speed, there is a renewed sense of urgency. Another answer and another problem to solve. A few days later, on the last day of Symphony, the ministry gathers everyone again.
"We have something for you. It is not as finished as we hoped it would be, but we feel that we need to move now. Your efforts of reaching out have been notable, and we want to help with that. We have developed some focus crystals that we believe that if used as a focus in the void, could allow you to reach out further than before, and try and pull a larger amount of people back.

We have also found a way to... Temporarily lock you all to your craft and this station. It is but one step on our attempt to untangle your tethers, and it will make you as stable as we can manage. We think doing this is key to blocking the craft's ability to draw in new souls."

She looked serious. "However. We know how important those you have lost are, and how vital it is to find them, and so we want to give you this chance. There is always risk. We cannot promise no one will slip away when your craft opens the link to the station, but we hope the loss will be minimal - the gains greater.

"We also can't promise you will reach everyone you seek. But we will hold those tethers, even if we cannot draw them back here with you. We can promise that after all this is done, we will do our upmost to return them to where they belong." Her face looks as if she is very aware of the enormity of that promise.

"After you bring your people on board, we will lock down your tethers. Then once you are as secure as we can make you, we will deal with... Everything else." She looks resolved.

The next day, the train is loaded up again. The focus crystals are pretty large, each needing to be carried by a couple of voidtreckers, unless they are those far stronger than their fellows.

The train once more leaves the Void hub, carrying the voidtreckers on, hopefully their minds focused on the souls they are seeking.


PLATFORM STOP: MONTH 20
(Tribulation)



BEFORE ARRIVAL

"Good morning Voidtreckers, it is day one of the month of Tribulation. Points have been updated on the system."

The voice of the Voidtrecker Express welcomes passengers at the same time as always, sometime after breakfast. With points updated, everyone can spend the morning shopping. Most people will be expecting the second announcement that comes a few hours later, as the colours of the void outside the windows blur more and more.

"Shortly arriving into a designated void platform. The weather is bright and sunny. 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.

ON THE PLATFORM


1. THE ARRIVAL

They've been here before. On a platform waiting for a train. A train that they may have been on a few days or a few months. But then they were gone, they have vague memories of leaving, of walking through a fog filled platform through the barriers. Then nothing.

Until now. They stand in clothes not their own, in a style they might not even recognise. They're carrying a rucksack on their person, and for a moment it seems to just be them, alone on this platform. Before the fog starts to subside, and they'll see they're one of 20 figures: all facing the tracks, and all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies, the latter in one of four colours. Purple, red, blue or orange. The sun beats down on them, the air is warm and still and the fog sits heavy.

There's a roaring sound to get their attention, and out from the fog arrives a train. A sleek black, it reads The Voidtrecker Express in gold lettering on the side. Every one of the doors hiss as they open automatically, and out pours a strange assortment of people, over a hundred at least. Some are human, some less so, with a majority wearing the same hoodie of four colours as they do, though some sport outfits in a variety of styles. Perhaps old friends.

The train doors close behind them, and the vehicle is cloaked in the same fog that hides the world beyond the platform. A group of people head towards the gates of the platform, their expressions blank and unaffected by their surroundings. CLU, Eva Iden'no, Heero Yuy, Jin Zixuan, Zenos yae Galvus They disappear through the barriers, but no one else can - all people can do is wait until the train re-emerges, finishing whatever changes it's making.


2. BOARDING THE TRAIN

After a short time, about ten minutes or so, the fog clears and the doors hiss open again. Everyone will feel a pull when they do, a need to board, and those from the train may encourage new arrivals to board. This feeling grows into one of apprehension and turns worse the longer they stay off-board.

For those that do board, they may find themselves in a few different carriages, but most likely the standard coach. A row of seats sit available, with a few tables between each. More likely than not, some cookies have been set out with jugs of drink, and cups available for pouring.

For those that don't, however, they're likely to attract attention if they're spotted. And if that fails... an unfortunate end will await them.

a. New arrivals will notice a screen and console in every carriage sharing the same message, and a stack of leaflets in holders by them offering further information to the curious (see 'Publications'). There are lavatories available on each carriage on one end, with another console with a deposit box under it at the other. This is the train shop.

b. Depending on when they were last on board the train may have changed a lot, even if there's only two directions to go in. Go one end, and you'll find the food stores and washing utilities. This month's key ingredient is Kidney Beans, and you're sure to bump into others curious about what's in the stock.

c. Go to the other end, and you'll find the sleeper cabins. Plaques sit on the wall by each door with the names of their occupants, and one of these will be yours - hopefully, they'll figure out that swiping their ticket against the doorpad will open it up to them. 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.

d. At the farthest end in this direction is the luggage carriage, where passengers who have bought items from the train shop will find their purchases. These are scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags, but there's also a small fridge and kettle here with bottled water, for those who want a quiet drink.

For those of red team interested in their reward they will find a box of cake pops in the luggage carriage. There is enough to share with their new teammates.

DEPARTURE


Spend your time exploring, if you will. But people will have half an hour before a second horn sounds, encouraging any stragglers taking advantage of the fresh air to board. After five minutes from this, the doors slide shut. Veteran passengers know what will happen next, but they may wish to brief their new companions.

The train begins to rumble with activity, and the platform starts to disappear into a fog as the voidcraft moves. A female-coded artificial voice echoes throughout the train.

"Welcome back, passengers of the Voidtrecker Express. 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. There is much for your fellow voidtreckers to fill you in on. We will remain travelling for a few days before returning to the Ministry Hub."

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 back to the Void.


NAVIGATION ~ GAMEPLAY ~ SETTING ~ CHARACTER INITIATIVES ~ QUESTIONS
najaran: (Saved the Salad!)

Re: Duo Maxwell | Gundam Wing | OTA

[personal profile] najaran 2022-09-06 08:01 am (UTC)(link)
Najaran had spotted Mina first and had her reunion with her. She had been so distracted that she had almost missed who had also returned.

Almost.

But then after summoning her creatures back into their Cards and gathering up the empty dishes from their snack she headed back to the train and saw...

She stumbled a step. Because if this was other Duo - if he really was a different Duo - then why... She shook her head, sure she was imagining that something felt different. Felt... some how off and very right at the same time. She swallowed and tried to push back her emotions. If this was a different Duo or the same Duo without his memories... either way it wasn't fair to keep pushing her emotions on him. So she would do her best to be cheerful.

She took a deep breath, and called out. "Duo!" she raised her hand to wave... forgetting she had been carrying plates and cups and such. The next moments were a desperate scramble to catch everything. Which she managed. Mostly.
maxwellsdaemon: (Cheerful Shinigami)

[personal profile] maxwellsdaemon 2022-09-06 08:55 pm (UTC)(link)
Duo was just about to head onto the train when someone called out his name. He turned his head just in time to watch plates go flying. Now, he was fast, but not that fast. Still he immediately turned and bolted over. He slid and managed to catch two cups by the time he came to a stop beside Najaran.

"Ever thought about paper plates and cups? Less breakages!" Duo laughed and got himself up to his feet. Once there, the cups were transferred to one hand so he could use the other to grab Najaran in a one armed hug. "Its good to see you, Naja! It's been a while, huh?"
najaran: (Startled)

[personal profile] najaran 2022-09-07 12:19 am (UTC)(link)
"Does the Train even have pa...." as she was replying the rest of what he said caught up to her. She flung her arms around him, not caring about the cups and plates. "It... It's really you? The Duo who remembers me?" she asked, terrified and desperate.

Please, please be her friend come back! Please!
maxwellsdaemon: (le huh)

[personal profile] maxwellsdaemon 2022-09-07 12:29 am (UTC)(link)
A little oof and Duo found himself with his cute friends arms wrapped around him, babbling weird stuff again. It really did feel like only yesterday when she was doing the same thing, but somehow it had been longer...

"Course it's me. Who else'd it be?" Then he frowned a bit and leant back enough so he could look down at her, but kept an arm about her. "What do you mean 'the Duo who remembers me'? No way there's more than one of me. That's gotta be a sign of the end of the world if there is."
najaran: (Colour 3)

[personal profile] najaran 2022-09-07 12:42 am (UTC)(link)
"There is! I thought he was you and kind of... um... knocked him down. But he didn't remember me. I thought the Train did something, but Leia said sometimes there are more than one version of a person. I'm so glad you're back, Duo! Actual you! And Mina is back too!"
maxwellsdaemon: (Creeped out)

[personal profile] maxwellsdaemon 2022-09-07 12:49 am (UTC)(link)
Duo was, in a word, stunned. There was another him... Instinctively he looked around, as if he'd be able to spot his mirror image somewhere. It made his skin crawl a bit, to think someone else might be walking around with his face...

"Uh... I don't know who those people are, Naja. But I know you." He gave himself a mental shake and turned his attention back to his friend. "Sorry I vanished. But you've been well?"
najaran: (Eh heh heh... you noticed?)

[personal profile] najaran 2022-09-09 06:00 am (UTC)(link)
"Um... " she hesitated at his question. Then changed the subject clumsily. "You never met Leia? Or Mina? I should introduce you to both! Oh, and Esteban!"
maxwellsdaemon: (Aint I a cutie)

[personal profile] maxwellsdaemon 2022-09-13 11:36 am (UTC)(link)
"... Naja, Naja, slow down." Duo laughed and pulled back from her, holding her by the shoulders and grinning merrily. "I've just rocked up and you're already showin me off to your friends? Least lemme find out where I'm bunking? And find out what the hecks been going on while I've been gone."
najaran: (Colour 3)

[personal profile] najaran 2022-09-13 11:01 pm (UTC)(link)
She laughed and nodded. She was happy for any subject change that kept him from finding out she died. Or from noticing the lack of SCA....

"Okay! And I can help fill you in on some stuff! Oh! and I have something in my bunk I'm pretty sure is yours..."
maxwellsdaemon: (Le huh)

[personal profile] maxwellsdaemon 2022-09-20 11:40 am (UTC)(link)
"Then fill me in, Naja! You're my lifeline here. Tell me what I've missed." And so Duo would then throw an arm around her shoulder, all friendly-like, and lead her toward the train.

"And what're you talking about? Something that's mine?" He'd not had much on himself, and from a quick check of the stuffed rucksack on his back, most everything he'd had on him at the time was in there.
najaran: (Vagabond)

[personal profile] najaran 2022-09-20 05:06 pm (UTC)(link)
She leaned into that arm. "I don't know what it is," she admitted, "But I knew it was yours. It looked kind of like..." and a girl from a world with no christianity described his cross to him.

"As to what you missed..." she took a deep breath. "Remember that mission early on, when the train forced us to evacuate?" The reason she doesn't wear her SCA.
maxwellsdaemon: (Creeped out)

[personal profile] maxwellsdaemon 2022-09-20 08:50 pm (UTC)(link)
"My crucifix...?" Duo didn't remember leaving it, but when he moved a hand to feel, he indeed didn't have it on him. Which meant he'd deliberately left it. Had he known he was going to be leaving? He had absolutely no idea or memory of any of it.

But he also knew if he'd left it for her... "It's a necklace. And if I left it with you I was meant to give it to you. You don't have to give it back."

As for the next. "Yeah, I remember that one." He'd sounded happy enough before, but that quickly left him when thinking about that planet.
najaran: (Sad Card Thoughts Reclined)

[personal profile] najaran 2022-09-22 05:46 am (UTC)(link)
"It... is for me?" she asked, surprised. "I thought it was so I'd know you were coming back..."

As to the other topic...

"We've fought the World Eaters again... and we lost..."