A New Platform [Intro Post February]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

"Good morning passengers, it is day sixteen of the month of Domino."

It has been three days since they had arrived back from their last mission. "Points have been updated on the system and the shop has new merchandise." The morning proceeds normally. But those who have been on the train a while will be expecting the notice that comes around midday.

"Shortly arriving into a designated void platform. Exit from void in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one." A lurch and a jolt and they are soon surrounded by the fog that means they are at a platform. Rain can be heard, the windows soon obscured with water droplets.

The doors open and seven passengers disembark, waterproof coats on, hoods pulled up, rucksacks on their backs. Lan Wangji, Link and Clara in blue, Deadpool and Atem in red, Eva and Mako in orange. All walk silently, blank faced, to the barriers where they show their tickets and walk through, disappearing from sight.

On the platform as ever, figures in waterproof coats over their hoodies. Eighteen of them this time. Ten are in orange, four in purple and then two each of red and blue.

For New Passengers

At first all they can see is steam. Billowing around them as they come to their senses. They are standing, in clothes that are not their own, styles they might not even recognise. They are carrying a rucksack on their back. For a moment it seems to just be them, alone in the white haze, rain falling down around them but then the steam begins to fade and they realise they aren’t alone.

The platform is not large and it holds eighteen figures all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers, hoodies and waterproofs. The rain is heavy, bouncing off the platform. Both left and right the tracks disappear into the mist. 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 into the cold step a selection of people. Some are human, some are less so. They are wearing the same hoodie in one of the four colours, red, orange, blue and purple.

The Train

The doors hiss open. Those from the train may encourage those on the platform to board. It’s not like there is 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 not be a good thing also it’s very cold out on the platform. The train is warmer.

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. The store rooms have been restocked and it seems that water chestnuts are the month of Domino’s ingredient of choice!

New passengers will find their tickets allow them into their cabins. They may need to negotiate for beds, especially if they want a top bunk!

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 and you will hopefully find a pillow for your bed if it has not been nabbed by a roommate, there are also spare blankets for if it gets cold.

Departure

A second horn sounds to encourage any stragglers and the doors slide shut. Veteran passengers know what will happen next, they may wish to brief their new companions.

The train sets off, the fog obscuring the view 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. Entering Voidspace in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one."

A shudder, a jolt, a lurch to the left, enough to throw someone off their feet if they are not ready. A flash of light, colourful and blinding.

As quick as it happens it is done. The train seems to steady. The fog from the windows is gone now, replaced with a kaleidoscope of ever changing colours.

Welcome to voidspace!