A new Platform [Intro post~ August]

[voidtreckermods]

For those on the Train

"Good morning passengers, it is day sixteen of the month of Apple." The train announces as always as everyone wakes up the morning of the sixteenth. "Due to your success on Hub World #5739 your team points have been updated on the system. The on train shop has unlocked new stock."

For those going to investigate it might seem like the boredom of the last two weeks will be alleviated a little. More so after a few hours when there is a second announcement.

"Shortly arriving into a designated void platform. Exit from void imminent."

By now they should know to hold on as the train jerks and jolts. There is only fog outside the windows but the train soon comes to a stop. The doors hiss open.

As they exit into the fog they may notice Hibiki exiting from the luggage carriage door. She hasn’t been seen since the Hub World and they might be forgiven for believing she stayed behind. But here she is, backpack on her back as she walks through the station. She heads no call, reacts to no words and cannot be stopped as she walks to the ticket barrier and disappears through it.

It is impossible to follow. But you soon may be distracted because this platform is far from empty.

For new arrivals

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

The platform is not very large, but it hold twelve figures all facing the tracks, all wearing similar clothing, even if one of them is a spider. The tracks stretch left and right into steam, or perhaps fog. Nothing can be seen to either side. There is a wall around the platform and the only entrance is a ticket barrier. It cannot be open, nor do there seem to be any staff.

What there is, is a train. Jet black and gleaming where it stands on the rails.Voidtrecker Express is emblazoned in the engine in gold. There is a hiss as the doors slide open.

Out step a selection of people, wearing clothes just like yours.

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.

Once on the train there is plenty to explore. A new sleeper carriage has appeared as has a medical bay. Neither were there before those already on the train had disembarked to meet their new travelling companions.

Each ICP shows the same message. The food stores have been topped up with new fresh food, though it seems that eggs are still predominately on the menu.

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. Those who boarded two weeks ago will know what is coming next.

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."

Hopefully someone warns you that you really want to heed that warning because a moment later there is 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. The fog from the windows is gone now, replaced with a kaleidoscope of ever changing colours.

Welcome to voidspace.

Comments

Renee Corbin | Afterburner

[afterburner]

On the Platform

Yeah, Renee tried to get past the ticket barrier to get out--but when even her enhanced strength didn't get her anywhere (she had taken her bracelet off and stowed it in her rucksack--handy, that!) she figured she was just as screwed as the rest of them. She squinted a little at the figures stepping off the train, and crossed her arms over her chest.

"So...you got any answers for us, or is this 'you've been chosen and you're coming with us'? 'Cause I've heard that before, and I'm not interested, I've gotta say."


Departure

Even if someone told her to sit down, Renee just grunted. "I'll be fine." About eighty percent of that was sheer pissed stubbornness; the other twenty was the fact that, like the Juggernaut, she could sort of plant herself in place using her powers--but when the train jolted and lurched, even she was staggered a little bit. Don't mind the fact that she probably left an impression of fingerprints in the metal bar on one of the seat backs...at least she didn't pull it out? (as if that could even happen??)

"Well. That's a trip, ain't it?" She didn't look thrilled about it, though.

Departure

[hashtagparkerluck]

Well, he tried to warn her. Peter, being ready for the jolt, plants himself firmly in place by use of his sticky powers. He watches her carefully though, ready to spring up and offer help up if she needs it.

"Yeah-I got slammed into a window the first time. It was.. uh. Embarrassing." He glances over at that pole she was holding onto because there seems to be some visible damage there. "Uh... anyways..." He tears his eyes off it. "I'm Peter. Peter Parker."

[afterburner]

Renee made a face at that. "Damn, that sounds like negative fun. Did you hurt yourself?" Oh, right, she still was hanging on to that pole, wasn't she? Oops. She let it go, and rubbed a hand down the front of her khakis. Yeah, that was smooth.

"Renee Corbin. And this is a train. Although I suppose it could also be Jackass, since I'm apparently pulling stupid stunts...if it was anywhere else, I'd say nice to meet you, but I'm kind of not sure about this."

[hashtagparkerluck]

"Not really-I mean a face plant never feels great but I'm-uh-I'm pretty durable." He explains, not really hiding that he's a super powered teen but also not really up to just out and out telling everyone ever.

"It's not bad-I mean it's inconvenient 'cause I was in the middle of a thing before I got here with Mr Stark but now we're here. And I gotta say it's been mostly fun." He says honestly, not counting how bored he was.

"I mean... I did kinda get bit by a uh-uh thing last week but that's all healed up now." Peter shrugs it off, not mentioning the thing that bit him was a bitey-goat.

[afterburner]

His 'pretty durable' comment has her chuckling, just a little. "Nice to know there's a few of us like that here, then." Considering a lot of times, Renee's job--well, Afterburner's job, was to take punches to the face. She tried to see the humor in it, at least.

"Mr. Stark?" Since she hadn't run into that good man yet, she had to arch her brows a bit. "Musta been an important thing, if you were running with him--if he's who I think he might be."

Renee blinked, then. Bit by something? "What were you fighting that bit you?" Feel free to make up a story. She'll probably believe you...

[hashtagparkerluck]

"Oh! You've heard of Mr Stark?" Peter perks up at that. "Uh-Tony Stark-Iron Man also own Stark Industries-although Pepper Potts is the CEO. And yeah-really important but we didn't really-or at least I didn't make it that far. I wound up here." He rambles.

"Anyways, uh the thing I was-uh I wasn't really fighting it-it was-I was trying to relocate it but it had other ideas."

[afterburner]

"Yeah, I'm not sure we're from the same world or anything, but we've got a Tony Stark, et cetera, on my world too." Renee nodded at that, more than a little excited. It was Tony Stark, after all. Iron Man, Stark Industries--well she didn't know if there was a Pepper, but it would make sense if there was, and she just wasn't aware. She could've kept up better with the news, but her life tended to get in the way.

"Oh, no. Not one of those." Renee actually winces, and bites her lower lip. "Did you get it where you wanted to go? Or um. Not?"

She's figuring not, since Pete got bit.

[hashtagparkerluck]

"Oh, yeah. There's another girl around-her name's Gwen-she's uh blonde and has a side shave-she's awesome." He says a little dreamily before forcing himself back into the present. Please don't mind him swooning over his super cool girlfriend. "Uh-anyways-she told me about stuff in her universe-like the Tony Stark there apparently owns Starbucks but instead it's called Starkbucks." Sorry, he talks fast, the more excited he is, the faster his mouth moves.

"Uh... yeah, eventually-I mean I had to like web its mouth shut but I did movie it. So, if you have Mr Stark and Stark Industries do you have like another version of me? Or specifically Spider-Man? Or Spider-woman? Gwen's the spider person in her universe so it doesn't really have to be Peter Parker."

[afterburner]

All things considered, Renee tends to be sort of jaded and cynical about things, but Peter getting stammery about a girl is...really kind of cute and sweet, and that's not the kind of thing that she wants to dog him about. So she doesn't, she just smiles at that.

"Not my world then, but that's kinda cool--" Wait, he just like outed himself? That was...okay no don't geek out girl, play it smooth! "Yeah we do have a version of you! Maybe he's older, I'm not super sure--I've just seen some of the editorials Jameson has written. He's a creep, though. I mean, you--Spider-Man--does good, it's not like you can help property damage sometimes..."

Better than her, she doesn't mean to, but it just kind of happens...

"Do you know what a mutant is? I mean not just the scientific definition..." As she lifts a hand and concentrates, bringing up one of her kinetic knives, the blade softly glowing red.

On the Platform

[runs_on_batteries]

Tony was scanning the crowd in front of the train, wondering if he might spy someone he'd recognize. It didn't seem to be the case. What he was seeing instead was how many children- or young adults he sort of considered children- were present. What was behind these abductions? Why them? Ugh, more importantly, why him?

His attention gets drawn to a salty looking teenager who had been quite entertaining attempting to get through the ticket barrier. She turns around and seems to get resigned to their situation enough to settle down.

"I have some answers but we haven't figured out all of them. No, I don't know why we're here and why you or anyone else has been taken. Those who have just come off the train were in your shoes about two weeks ago. The train was empty at that time and we've yet to see anyone running it or having access to the conductor carriage. No you don't really want to avoid getting on the train and yes, for now you're safe. That help?"

[afterburner]

Renee at least gave the guy's words some thought--and he sort of looked familiar, but she couldn't put her finger on it. Then again, she usually ignored the TV and didn't read the papers--and there were times where her cellphone had gotten helplessly borked because she put a finger through the screen. Superhuman strength was not always everything it was cracked up to be. Like when you couldn't get through a ticket booth. Sucked.

"I guess." Not really, but the guy had at least gone out of his way to try to give her what she wanted. It wasn't his fault he was telling her what she didn't want to hear.

"So like...what's the deal with riding this heap anyway, then? Since I guess I'm signed on for now? I'm Renee Corbin." She'd just skip the 'Afterburner' part so far. Unless she had to.

[runs_on_batteries]

Tony shrugs, understanding completely that his answers weren't likely ones she had hoped for. It was far from ideal, but he wasn't going to sugar coat it either. People deserved the truth.

"The vessel actually goes through the Void. It's a space in between worlds and times and we've visited one world that belonged to none of us. It's.. not as bad as it seems at first." He didn't need to go further into that. He was sure she was confused enough as it was. At her introduction, he gives a lukewarm smile. "Tony Stark. Pleasure."

[afterburner]

Oh. Oh. REALLY? Renee spent a few moments quietly nerding out. Tony Stark? THE Tony Stark? But seriously, how many of them could there be? She was vaguely aware that there were multiverses--Professor Xavier had tried to explain it to her, once, but she lost that particular train of thought fairly quickly, and there'd been no survivors. She wasn't stupid, but neither was she the sharpest tool in the shed, either...

Of course, blurting out the first thing that came to mind wasn't the greatest either. "You look younger on T.V."

Way to make a first impression!!

[runs_on_batteries]

What? What was happening? He watched as Renee had all kinds of emotions and thoughts floating across her face in reaction to his name. He was trying to predict if she was going to land on a positive expression or negative by the end of it. What he hadn't expected was an insult.

He was taken back by that. "Rude. But okay. So.. you're possibly from Earth then? My time is 2023. When are you from?"

[afterburner]

Renee rolled her eyes. Typical teenager. She hadn't intended to be rude, really, but that had just sort of spilled out.

"Yeah, I'm from Earth! An Earth, at least. Professor Xavier told me about like...alternate timelines and possible multiverses, but I just got confused, really..."

But hey, dummy, he'd asked what year you were from...want to give the man an answer?! "2018. If you're from the future, that probably explains a lot. From what little I've heard about you, you worry a lot. Not that it's not for a good reason, but..." It'd give a damn good excuse why he looked the way he did!

"I'm sorry for being rude," she muttered. It was a bit halfhearted, but at least she'd apologized.

[runs_on_batteries]

He could tell she hadn't meant anything by it. It made it easier to forgive her for the slight, not that even her being rude would've actually offended him too much. It didn't make much difference to him if someone liked him or thought he was old or not.

"Professor Xavier?" He raised an eyebrow at that, but there didn't seem to be any recognition of the name on his face. He was about to remark on the year when she makes her next statement. "Wait, so on your Earth the only thing I'm known for is that I worry a lot?" Wow. Just.. wow. Shot to the ego. And what exactly was she implying? He worried and looked old? Well excuse him, he'd just saved the planet a couple dozen times.

[afterburner]

"Charles Xavier? He runs a school up in Westchester. The Xavier Institute for Higher Learning? I go there." It seemed kind of weird that Mr. Stark didn't know who the Professor was. She thought Chuck knew everyone--not that she'd call Professor Xavier 'Chuck' to his face. That sort of thing was reserved for--well, it was reserved for Logan, mostly.

She scoffed at what he said next. "No, I'm talking from my own personal experience here! You're like...a businessman and a philanthropist. And an activist, sort of, I guess?" Renee had heard about him making a lobby or something for superhuman registration. She was torn on that particular subject--on one hand, she didn't entirely trust her own powers; on the other, Renee knew damn well what people thought about her brother Drew and what he'd done. So maybe it was a good thing. She hadn't decided, yet.

Departure

[faithfulsupport]

Not sure how or why he was here, Ignis had very reluctantly gotten on the train. He'd just been speaking to Ravus, Noct was safe (though he regrettably couldn't say the same for Lady LunaFreya) and suddenly he'd appeared here.

The royal advisor wanted to figure this mystery out but his green eyes looked up to see someone who seemed to be having a hard time as well.

"And all without the benefit of a desination."

If she was going to fall, he would catch her, but so far she hadn't.

[afterburner]

Renee wasn't, either, though she unwrapped her fingers from the indentation she'd made in the metal pole, managing to look sheepish. Oh well--in a place like this, it wasn't as if keeping her powers a secret was going to be easy, if possible at all.

Then again, she knew how she hadn't gone flying. She quirked a brow at the guy, but nodded at what he'd said. "Yeah, other than 'the Void', which...isn't helpful." If she sounded cranky, it's because she was. Not at him, just the situation.

"You just that light on your feet, or are you used to flying trains throwing you around?"

[faithfulsupport]

He wasn't sure how to answer this lady, she sounded irritated already. From the sounds of things she of course had no more answers about their situation or predicament than he did, so that wasn't helpful.

And Ignis noted the damage done and had no idea who this woman was or what she was capable of and he wasn't trying to find out either.

"Trains are something that I'm familiar with." The royal advisor had been rattled around already, and was even more rattled on the inside. He didn't have time for a train ride, he had to get back home.

[afterburner]

This was off to a great start--don't squick the locals, Renee, she thought to herself. Not that this guy didn't seem the super serious sort anyway--she was the type to try to keep a little humor in her life, even when it seemed lacking.

Maybe not this guy, though. Time to switch it up, then.

"Don't mind that, usually I can mind my own strength." And when she couldn't, that's what the inhibitor bracelet was for, right? She gestured at the indentations that she'd left in the metal. "I'm just not used to getting dragged along on stuff like this." That always happened to the A-list superheroes, not little leaguers like her.

"So just regular trains? Guess you are that light on your feet then. Lucky! I'm more like the dancing elephant at the circus." Trying to inject a little humor, again.

[faithfulsupport]

Ignis is used to getting dragged along, and even on a regular train would've been fine, but not like this. And not away from his friends, and the Prince especially.

And even though he could understand this woman perfectly, he had no idea what an elephant was or even a circus, unless she meant the Grim Circus..but how would she know about them? So he shook his head.

"I must admit that I have no idea what you're talking about."

[afterburner]

Oh yeah. Totally batting zero here. Feels bad, man. Not that Renee was about to give voice to any of that. Nope. She furrowed a brow at that.

"Um. Well, I guess it doesn't really matter that much, then. I'm just awkward. Obviously."

Because clearly she was, despite all her intentions otherwise. She lifted a hand to rake through her hair, uncertain as to how to proceed, and too damn stubborn to just walk away.

[faithfulsupport]

He's seen far more awkward, like a certain Prince. Luckily Ignis tried to help with that. And as an advisor he had the people skills necessary to get by and then some. After all he used to have to do a lot of talking to keep Noct out of trouble when they snuck out of the Citadel and got caught. This was of course not his own fault, hadn't even been his own idea, and had advised they would get caught and get into trouble. But in the end, he still took the blame willingly for the young sovereign.

"Since you brought the topics up, mayhaps you would care to explain to me what those things are so that I would become more informed."

He's a curious sort and is trying to be polite.

[afterburner]

She's not sure if that's pity or what, but Renee will take the chance anyway. At least he seems like he wants to know, so, why not?

"A circus is for entertainment, basically. Clowns, trained animals, stuff like that. An elephant is one of the aforementioned trained animals, at least in that regard. They're big. The largest land mammal, where I'm from. Legs like tree trunks, flappy ears, a long trunk that's their nose--they use it to pick up water to drink! A pair of tusks. Those are the incisors, but they have regular teeth too."

Yes, she is miming her way through this as she describes an elephant...