voidtreckermods: (voidtrain)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] voidtreckerexpress2020-04-01 05:27 am

A New Platform [Intro Post April!]

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!
stillnewatthis: (orisa)

[personal profile] stillnewatthis 2020-04-19 08:21 pm (UTC)(link)
"It is not often that I find myself supported by my upper body this way," Orisa said, taking the comment entirely seriously. "New experiences are necessary to improve and advance my programming."
maxwellsdaemon: (Default)

[personal profile] maxwellsdaemon 2020-04-22 12:56 pm (UTC)(link)
"You're telling me. First time lubing up a talking robot!" Duo said with a laugh as he moved around to the other side to apply the oil there as well. He smoothed it around the door and the body of the robot and then stepped back.

"See if you can wriggle free now?" He suggested, doubtful it would work, but he had hope!
stillnewatthis: (hello!)

[personal profile] stillnewatthis 2020-04-25 07:01 pm (UTC)(link)
Orisa planted all four legs solidly, then put the full force of her servos and actuators into a forward push. With an agonizing squeal even despite the lubrication, she shivered forward -- then popped free, stumbling a few steps ahead before bringing herself to a halt.

"Success!" Orisa reared back onto her hind legs, then tromped a little dance in place to celebrate. "You have my gratitude!"
maxwellsdaemon: (Default)

[personal profile] maxwellsdaemon 2020-04-29 06:21 am (UTC)(link)
Duo let out a whoop and ran over to where the robot stood, but kept a good distance away from where it danced. He laughed. "Hey, not a problem! I'm happy it worked! I'm Duo, by the way. You've got a name, right?"
stillnewatthis: (hello!)

[personal profile] stillnewatthis 2020-04-30 02:08 pm (UTC)(link)
"Oh, of course! My name is Orisa." Becoming aware that she might be a bit too large to romp in confined quarters, she settled down with all four feet on the ground again. "It is a pleasure to meet you!"
maxwellsdaemon: (Default)

[personal profile] maxwellsdaemon 2020-05-08 09:37 am (UTC)(link)
"Pleasure's mine, Orisa!" Duo replied cheerfully. He'd never seen anything like her (and he was pretty sure it was a 'her' now, or as close to one as could be). "You gonna be alright from here on?"
stillnewatthis: (victory)

[personal profile] stillnewatthis 2020-05-08 01:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Her voice was unmistakably female, even if it had an artificial quality to it. "I will adapt to adjust my stance when passing through doors. If I approach them at the proper angle I should not get stuck again."

Of course, that wouldn't always be possible...
maxwellsdaemon: (Default)

[personal profile] maxwellsdaemon 2020-05-08 04:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Duo honestly hadn't been paying attention to her voice so much as the job at hand, but now that she was free of the doorway he was actually able to give her his full attention.

"You'd think they'd make the doors bigger, just in case..." He laughed. "But I'm glad I could help with this."
stillnewatthis: (yellow glare)

[personal profile] stillnewatthis 2020-05-08 10:56 pm (UTC)(link)
"I do not think this train was designed for any body forms outside of three standard deviations from human average," Orisa said, rather seriously.
maxwellsdaemon: (Default)

[personal profile] maxwellsdaemon 2020-05-15 05:23 pm (UTC)(link)
"Nope, you're not wrong there." Duo gave her a sympathetic smile. "All I can say is try and be careful getting through the others, and you should be alright." He hoped. If not they'd have to find a way to get more oil and have some stocked at all doorways. Just in case.
stillnewatthis: (victory)

[personal profile] stillnewatthis 2020-05-16 01:55 am (UTC)(link)
"This should be fine! Observe."

Orisa stepped backwards, and as her upper body approached the door, she turned her torso to fit through it. Program adapted!
maxwellsdaemon: (Default)

[personal profile] maxwellsdaemon 2020-05-25 05:51 pm (UTC)(link)
"Not bad!" Duo watched as she angled herself just right to get through the door, and couldn't help but wonder why she'd not done that in the first place. But he supposed it didn't much matter, she could do it now and that was the main thing. "Well, now I know you're good. I'll carry on my way. Nice to meet you though, Orisa!"
stillnewatthis: (hello!)

[personal profile] stillnewatthis 2020-05-26 01:17 am (UTC)(link)
Because she hadn't processed the need. She might be a robot, but intelligence of any form didn't tend to do quick and immediate spatial comparisons down to the centimeter.

"Next time I will endeavor to be of aid to you instead. I owe you a debt!"
maxwellsdaemon: (Default)

[personal profile] maxwellsdaemon 2020-05-28 05:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Duo just grinned. "Don't owe me anything! It's a pleasure to help a pretty lady in need!"

"But I'll see you, Orisa! You be careful now!" He gave her a cheerful wave before he headed off on his travels, whistling a jaunty little tune as he did.