A New Platform [Intro Post April!]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

Two days after they return from their mission they are awoken as usual "Good morning passengers, it is day sixteen of the month of Egret. The shop has been updated and points have been applied to passengers tickets."

Those that go to check the shop terminals will find they have indeed updated, with the option to buy larger items and also animals. The morning goes on until just after noon there is a second announcement.

"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. Though the fog is thick, thicker than usual perhaps, there are patches on sunlight shining through and it is pleasantly warm.

The doors open and the first few to disembark do so with rucksacks on, hoods pulled up, silent and almost blank faced. Cu Chulain, Dio Brando, Disreputable Dog, Heiji Hattori, Loki Maedhros, Maglor, Naruto, Thor, Tobias Fangor.

They walk to the barriers, show their tickets and disappear.

But on the platform itself there are once again new faces. 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 as people begin to shift or call out it will become apparent they are not alone.

The platform is not large and it holds eighteen figures all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. It's warm but foggy making it hard to see much, but there are clearer patches bathed in sunlight found across 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. 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, in case the passengers weren't bored of them yet.

Passengers who are not brand new will notice that the train has gotten yet longer again with a sixth sleeper cabin for new arrivals.

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

[unfavorableinstigation]

[Nita's still speaking loudly, but she's trying to mitigate that... though that also means she's not getting close to Bryn yet.]

Honestly, that's probably true. We've got a lot of strong people on this train. So between that, and Princess the pippi...

He's an animal, small and pink, but he packs a punch.

[draconite]

Oh, how cute! I see, so there's creatures other than regular humans on this train... yes, that makes sense.

[ She sort of nods to herself again, like she's confirming something for herself, but rather than elaborate on it, she instead subjects Nita to the full force of her sunniest smile. ]

But, anyway! Now we're aborad the train together, I suppose that would make us... crewmates, would you say?

[unfavorableinstigation]

[Nita nods - fortunately she doesn't get a headache from it, so that's all to the good!]

Yyyup. With all sorts of species. Though mind the robotic goats - they're not Voidtreckers in and of themselves, but they work for someone who is so they're technically part of Orange team too.

[Nita pinches the fabric of her own orange hoodie, something that she's only continued wearing regularly because it's comfortable not because it's a hoodie, shush.]

[draconite]

So, we're not just crewmates, we're teammates!

[ That bright smile of hers somehow gets even brighter. Gracious. ]

Then I simply must introduce myself – my name is Brynhilde Pendragon, but since we're going to be friends, please just call me Bryn!

[unfavorableinstigation]

[Awww. Even with the- well, the flower in her eye, and the odd reaction the peridexis is giving, Bryn's still quite endearing.

Nita finally steps close, hand out to shake.]

Pleasure to meet you, Bryn - though I think my ears'll be ringing a little while longer. I'm Nita Callahan, and you can call me Nita!

[draconite]

[ With a skip in her step, Bryn bounds forward and takes the handshake a notch upwards – she doesn't just shake, she clasps Nita's hand in both of hers and give it a squeeze. ]

It's a pleasure to meet you too! I'm certain we'll make a very capable pair of teammates, Nita!

[ Even if it's been foisted on them. Bryn's never going to turn down meeting new people. ]

Have you been here on the train for very long? Please, you must tell me everything!

[unfavorableinstigation]

[Bryn is a lot! But Nita doesn't flinch or balk - though she doesn't try to prolong the handshake.]

I've only been here a month; from what I've gathered this train's been picking up people for four - or five, I guess it'd be at this point. And being pulled out to help with emergencies isn't all that new for me personally, but I know it's a bigger jump for other people.

... That none of us signed up for it is the bigger problem, frankly, but no one's got a clue as to 'why us'.

[draconite]

... Five whole months. That's quite a long time.

[ The general energy hasn't toned down very much, but her expression does turn a little more thoughtful as she says that, at least. ]

It's a little worrying to think about... whatever sort of magic runs this train, it must be quite powerful to bring people here against their will and keep them here. Has there been any progress in uncovering exactly how it manages this?

[unfavorableinstigation]

[Nita shakes her head.]

No. No one's tried staying put in a station, or on any of the worlds we visit. Usually when people disappear, they don't have control over it.

[And part of Nita suspects the train itself doesn't, either.]

Even when people leave the train at the platforms, assuming they're just going home, nothing can stop them from leaving. They don't look around, or say goodbye to people.

[She hefts the SCA on her wrist.]

Another possible avenue would be taking off these while on a world. We can take them off on the train without consequences, but outside of that...

[It really was a miracle Joss was their first death on the train.]

[draconite]

So there's truly no one in particular running the train itself? Does it simply do all this by itself?

[ She might not have been on a train before but even Bryn knows a vehicle needs someone to drive it. ]

[unfavorableinstigation]

[Nita nods.]

Or if there is someone - or something - else involved, they're doing it remotely.

[Or were like those Shades Persephone had mentioned, invisible and intangible to all other magical senses.]

[draconite]

From a great distance... that would prevent us from retaliating if we decided to do so. But if we have no direct oversight, perhaps we could make a plan for our escape... Unless!

[ She clasps both hands over her mouth, like she's just been struck by one hell of a realization. ]

Perhaps they have someone here on the train, watching our every move, to keep us compliant?!

[unfavorableinstigation]

[Nita stares for a moment at Bryn's dramatics.]

Iiii'm pretty sure we have enough psychic-types on this train to pick up on if we've got any double agents.

[Which didn't rule out Manchurian Agents, true, but that level of wondering only fed paranoia, not productivity.]

Otherwise the whole 'Team Black' thing Yuffie started would have ended in disaster by now.

[draconite]

[ unfortunately for nita and also literally everyone else on the void trecker, bryn hasn't even gotten STARTED on the dramatics yet. ]

So we aren't being directly observed... or if we are, then they're content to let us simply do as we please. How strange... why go to the effort of bringing all of us here and keeping us here if they have no plans of doing anything with us? Or having us do things on their behalf?

[unfavorableinstigation]

[Nita nods.]

That's the question; we do get missions, but they're all about helping worlds in immediate danger.

[Assuming as some sisters had worried that the missions were even real at all.]

[draconite]

Oh, how exciting!

[ Bryn, no. Don't sound so pleased about that. ]

Perhaps as long as we do our best to help people, they're happy to leave us be. That's good to know! I'm quite terrible at doing what I'm told, or so I've heard.

[ DON'T SOUND PLEASED ABOUT THAT EITHER!!! ]

[unfavorableinstigation]

[... Well, there are worse attitudes to have about saving people, but, uh. Nita's expression belies her Concern.]

We do get some instructions, but they're more like guidelines.

Teamwork's still important, though. I think we get points for it twice a month.

[draconite]

But of course! You could hardly expect someone to save an entire world all by themselves. But with a team, it would make for a much easier job!

[ Op...timism... ]

But! More importantly! You mentioned 'points'... so am I right to suppose that there is some sort of prize to be earned through teamwork?

[unfavorableinstigation]

Yeah, like that.

[Awkwardness aside, moving on...

Nita nods.]

It just seems to be sweets for whichever team has the highest average, but I don't know much more about it than that.

Orange Team hasn't won any since I've joined, anyway. Charlotte's the most gung-ho about it, she'd know if we've won it before.

[draconite]

Then I'll simply have to do my best and ensure we come out ahead with our first victory! It might not be a noteworthy prize, but any prize is worth going after, wouldn't you agree?

[ Uh oh. She's getting all pumped up. ]

[unfavorableinstigation]

[Nita's brain: "UH..."

What Nita actually says:]

Charlotte'll definitely like you.

... Kaiba might not agree, though. He likes challenges, but I think he's just in them for their own sake.

[draconite]

It sounds as though he has the right idea! There's nothing more satisfying than overcoming an enormous obstacle!

[ this is going to be absolute chaos. ]

Hmm - thread wrap, you think? This was fun!

[unfavorableinstigation]

Well, that's sure true.

[If maybe not always in the way Bryn's thinking about it.]

So, were you going to throw another ball? I've not exactly got the arms for it, but I think my ears have recovered by now...