A New Platform [Intro Post March]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

Luckily there are no more crises after the strange dreaming, except the ones passengers created for themselves and soon the month is turning. "Good morning passengers, it is day one of the month of Egret."

Those that have been on board a while know that new months usually come with new people and so the message a few hours later will not be a surprise. "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. It will come as a relief that it is not raining this time. However it does seem to be quite blustery.

The doors open and the first few to disembark do so with rucksacks on, hoods pulled up against the wind. Amery Vallet, Steve Rogers, Darth Vader, Peggy Carter, Bran Corbie and Ash. They walk blank faced to the barriers, show their tickets and disappear.

But on the platform itself there are nineteen new faces, or rather seventeen new faces and two that some people have definitely seen before. All are stood, waiting for the train.

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 but then the steam begins to fade and they realise they aren’t alone.

The platform is not large and it holds ninteen figures all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. The air is cold and the wind is strong, blowing their hair, if they have hair, across their face. 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. 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. The store rooms have been restocked with an abundance of onions! Any of blue team who who go to check the luggage cart will find a parcel containing rainbow macroons. One for each of the blue team, including new members, come share in the reward!

Passengers who are not brand new will notice that the train has gotten yet longer again. A transparent domed carriage, with a grass aisle and soil beds, ready for the passengers to do with as they wish. Crates contain bulbs and seeds ready to be planted and there are all the tools a budding gardener would need for this task.

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. 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. The fog from the windows is gone now, replaced with a kaleidoscope of ever changing colours.

Welcome to the Void!

Comments

[swansongs]

Dyme took the biscuit cutter, watching what Bucky was doing before starting on his own side of the dough. Honestly, he had no idea where Poland was and he wasn't entirely sure what matzo was, but that all sounded pretty interesting. "That's cool. The most I can make are sandwiches and frozen shit."

[luckybucky]

"Yeah? Well, if you're actually interested in learning more, I'd be happy to teach you," he replies warmly, gently bumping his shoulder into Dyme's. "If you're used to sandwiches and frozen foods, maybe we can start with making better sandwiches." He dimples at Dyme. "Just little things, so when you go home you can enjoy better food. Maybe impress someone special."

[swansongs]

"Really?" He perked up a little, smiling. Learning some new things sounded nice, so did getting back home. He wasn't sure he was going to win anyone over with sandwiches though, but it was a nice thought. "That sounds good, thanks. I've never had anyone to teach me before."

[luckybucky]

"Of course. I've gotta keep myself busy somehow," he replies with a warm smile. When they run out of dough to cut, Bucky balls the scraps up, and rolls it out again, so they can cut a few more circles. "You can usually find me in here, any time you're interested," at least until the end of the month when the chores changed again.

[swansongs]

That was a pretty good point. It was like Dyme and his music; if he threw himself into it enough back home, then he had less time to think about all of the other problems in his life.

"Anytime I'm interested in learning to cook or you?" he said. Because he might always be interested in Bucky.

[luckybucky]

That got a warm laugh. "Let's say either one," he replies with a grin. "I can always use a little company."

[swansongs]

Dyme smiled. "Alright. I'll be sure to stop by sometimes then." So long as he remembered, at least.

[luckybucky]

Bucky waves his doughy fingers, putting the last biscuit onto the pan and popping the last, small blob of dough into his mouth with a happy hum.