A New Platform [Intro Post May]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

Life returns to somewhat normal, though the train still seems to be moving faster than before. Eventually though it slows until they wake one morning to a familiar announcement. "Good morning passengers, it is day one of the month of Fiddlesticks."

Those that have been on board a while know that new months usually come with new people and also new points, indeed when they check points have been updated and the shopping spree can begin. A few hours later another, expected announcement sounds.

"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. The sun is shining and they will find it pleasantly warm when they disembark.

The first to leave the train though don't seem to notice the nice weather. They notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Padme Amidala, Terra, Ianto Jones, Happy, Hibiki Shikyoin, Shikeo, Elfangor, Bailey Morello, Will Stanton, Primrose, Prisoner, Aaron LeBlanc, Miles Morales, Rustling Paper all reach the barriers, show their tickets and disappear through, vanishing into the fog.

But on the platform itself there are many new faces. Once again the largest amount of newcomers to date.

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 twenty nine figures all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. The air is warm, pleasant even. 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 and bacon has taken over onions as the food of choice! Any of orange team who go to check the luggage cart will find a parcel containing chocolate eggs, each the size of a chicken egg, filled with caramel. One for each of the orange team, including new members, come share in the reward!

Passengers who are not brand new will notice some changes to the train. There are now seven sleeper carriages. The kitchen and dining carriages have changed, one whole double carriage dedicated to each one. The kitchen has huge ovens and preparation space downstairs with a row of sinks and more preparation space upstairs. The dining carriage has two floors as well, each one with a long wooden table that fills the length of the carriage, benches to either side.

There is also the long awaited cinema. There are hundreds of films, some slightly familiar to those from worlds with films, others strange and unusual.

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

[xue_yang]

He notices the color the man wore and realizes that this is probably someone he would have to play nice with in the future. "And everyone is just supposed to allow themselves to be shepherded? I don't usually like to follow the flock."

[rieper]

"Everyone says that," the hitman replied deadpan. To be fair, that was his own sentiment about the whole ordeal, too. But as often as 47 looked for weaknesses or clues to escaping, he still hadn't found any. Even the magical routes were blocked--to those that had it. "But until we find a solution, we're all stuck doing exactly that."

[xue_yang]

"I suppose stuck is better then dead which is where my future was headed." Not that he is bothered by that but it is what it is. "Tell me..what is the deal with the different colors? I'm assuming since we are the same color we will need to work together."

[rieper]

"Yes," he responded readily enough. "The various colors indicate each team the train assigns for mission goals. The train assigns its passengers to red, blue, purple, or orange teams. Each of the teams receives a specific task when we go on missions; preforming them all ensures our success." A beat and then he added more. "Some passengers refuse to participate in the train's assignments and have formed a black team on their own."

Black Team wasn't entirely a bunch of misfits that disobeyed orders as 47's description might have implied but he was being succinct right now. They tended to either help other teams by simply going with a different team than the one assigned to them or help with other goals that helped the passengers in some other way. This caused 47 not to really mind their existence though it might have been hard to tell with his demeanor as it was.

"None of us asked to be picked up for this or go on these missions. However, most find it hard to refuse once they see what's at stake." Many of the train liked to help people. 47? He just needed something to do. Missions were his lifeblood in a manner of speaking. This wasn't what he preferred but he adjusted. "The missions usually include helping locals on various worlds overcome disaster of one sort or another."

[xue_yang]

"Black team, hm? How does one go about joining those ranks? I feel like black is more my color. Is there a reason they pick a certain team for us?"

But he isn't opposed to sniffing out what the red team as to offer before he decides to jump ship. Missions does have him perking up a little bit. That's better then just aimlessly wandering the halls and harassing the other passengers.

[rieper]

There would still be plenty of time to wander the halls and harass other passengers. Why not do both!

"It's likely the train assigns the teams based on what it perceives as the passengers' greatest asset to a particular team though we don't know what criteria is used. However, the Red Team tends to have more offensive assignments while Blue Team tends to be left for defensive tactics, and Orange and Purple tend to help locals with various logistical tasks or aid the other teams with adjacent assignments."

As for the first question, "Yuffie created Black Team. If you wish to join it then you would seek her out."

[xue_yang]

If Xue Yang gets really bored, they would run out of passengers. Even though he may not have his weapon, he is quite resourceful in other means.

"So basically they made us the muscle." That's not all that bad either. If it means he gets to let out more of his frustrations then the other teams would allow then the train certainly made the right choice.

"I'll see how this red team goes before I seek her out. This might not be so bad after all."

[rieper]

47 thought that might be the case for himself but he decided to play nice on the train instead. Too many witnesses these days especially with how it kept adding more passengers. It was either that or mass genocide of the train passengers all at once. Probably not a good idea with the super-powered, supernatural, and magical opponents on the train but the idea was always at the back of his mind. Mostly in case they ever figured out who and what he really was, and how he might react if they decided they didn't like it.

"Basically," 47 replied. He liked the more delicate side of operations but didn't mind getting his hands dirty either way. "There's usually something to fight whether with fist, weapon, or vehicle where Red Team ends up."

"If you like a good fight, it probably won't be. Occasionally there are subtle routes but eventually a battle typically ensues. The other teams also run into fighting but less directly sometimes."

[xue_yang]

"It's a little concerning that this thing knows enough about us to be able to put us in teams based on our strengths. It could have at least left me my sword if it was going to put me on a team meant to do all the fighting."

He's just a little bitter about his spiritual weapon being taken from him. It better be safe wherever its being kept.

[rieper]

"It seems to grab one item that can fit inside the pack it provides us," the hitman explained when the other man complained about not having his sword. 47 was grateful that his one item had been his pistol. Now if only he could get more ammo instead of having to conserve it so carefully.

"Perhaps you can find a replacement for missions," he also suggested, not knowing the importance of Xue Yang's personal sword.

[xue_yang]

"Yeah well..my sword definitely wasn't going to fit in a regular bag." They could have at least given him a smaller one. But honestly its all probably for the best.

"It won't be the same but I guess it will be something to keep an eye out for. When should I expect this first mission to be?"

[rieper]

"Within the next week if the schedule keeps," he replied. Unfortunately 47 wasn't so certain that it would at this point. Typically it was very precise about it. But the last mission had been unexpected since it had occurred during what was usually down-time for the passengers.

However, he didn't really see the point in explaining all of that to the new arrival. Either it would continue with its original schedule or it wouldn't. He figured he'd made that clear with what he did say.

"It's possible there will be weapons available on the world we go to but no guarantee there will be swords if there are."

[xue_yang]

"I'm a patient person. I can wait and see what is available."

And maybe he will get lucky. Only time will tell how things will turn out. "For now it just means I have to rely on my own hands for protection." And anything else he can get his hands on.