A New Platform [Intro Post June]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

The days following the mission are relatively uneventful as people once more get used to the rhythm of life on the train. "Good morning passengers, it is day sixteen of the month of Fiddlesticks. Points have been updated on the system."

They have indeed and everyone can spend the morning shopping. Those who have been on the train a while will be expecting the second announcement that comes a few hours later.

"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 is a cool day, clouds gathering threateningly though it stays dry luckily.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Leviathan, Atsushi Nakajima, Spinel, Peggy Carter, Evie Grimhilde, Cal Kestiss, Gwen Stacey, Renee Corbin, Lan Jingyi, Waver Velvet, Aoko Nakamori, Namine, Jak and Marcus Wright all reach the barriers, show their tickets and disappear through, vanishing into the fog.

But on the platform itself there are many new faces. Wearing hoodies, in various states of confusion.

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 six figures all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. The air is cool with a slight breeze. 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. Most are wearing the same hoodie in one of the four colours, red, orange, blue and purple though some are sporting different clothes in a variety of styles.

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 plenty more bacon as well as other staples.

Passengers who are not brand new will notice a new carriage. A second gym. This one is outfitted for training with mats, fighting pads, balance beams and even climbing apparatus to help get everyone ready for the missions ahead.

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

[sensitiveapple]

She is human, but the Force tells her things and she's sure that she'll end up having to explain that to someone soon enough.

"What would you like to know? I've only been on three, but I can try to answer your questions." She finds a place to sit again and wraps her arms around her knees.

[salutosinedelectat]

For all Aziraphale knows, she could be a witch, or something like one. He's met enough people and creatures from all sorts of places by now that he's mostly learned to take his assumptions elsewhere.

"Hum, well, I've read the pamphlet, and some of the other passengers have given me a bit of a summary," Except Curufin. Curufin spared no detail. "But I suppose I'm just trying to learn as much as I can about what to expect."

[sensitiveapple]

Nope, not a witch! Just a tiny little Force user that's untrained.

"Well, that depends." She says looking up at him. "The last mission was all about the ocean, and I didn't participate in that one." Misa admits it. "Courtesans don't swim." She explains. "But, I made sure there were warm towels, and food waiting for people when they were done swimming."

"During the space station mission, I remained with the medics, and was quite useful there." She glances up at him. "What, exactly, do you want to know?"

[salutosinedelectat]

Courtesan. That doesn't really pass Aziraphale by, and his brow raises a bit when she mentions it in passing. She seems rather... young to be one. It's not anything he hasn't seen in the past, unfortunately, but it's been a rather long time since then. He finds it impolite to ask right at this time.

"I have heard about the missions, and the freedom in regards to following tasks." It's still strange how they've been brought here but somehow given the freedom to not do that they're told. Kidnappers rarely offer mere suggestions. "But I've noticed there's a lack of information on who exactly is in charge here."

[sensitiveapple]

Ah. That's what he wants to know! That's easy enough. "As in in charge of us, or in charge of the train?" She asks.

"There's a council of those of us who are stuck here. And each team has a lead. Our council representative is Nita, and the team leads are Eva... and someone else I forget who." She shrugs. He can talk to Eva, if he wants. She'll know.

"But a lot of people look to Mr. Stark as the 'leader' as it were." She frowns. "But it what you're asking is who is driving the train? No idea." She shakes her head. "No one knows. We're unable to get into the engine and there's even a sign not to punch the wall."

[salutosinedelectat]

Aziraphale makes a note of the last part, disappointing but not unexpected - the pamphlet had said as much, anyway, but he's just trying to cover all bases.

"Who is Mr. Stark?" He'll apparently have to make note of the names of all the team leaders and such. A council. It makes him wonder what they do, without knowing by whose whim they are all there.

[sensitiveapple]

She frowns. "Did you fill out the questionnaire?" She asks. It's a starting point. "He's taken over one of the quiet carriages for a lab or something, and that's usually where we take them and talk to him about our answers. I think he's trying to figure out a pattern to appearances and disappearances." She shrugs.

"He's about your height, dark hair, facial hair."

[salutosinedelectat]

"Questionnaire--oh!" He remembers that part of the pamphlet. "Not yet, I'm afraid. But I'll make sure to do that as soon as possible."

As he's not yet met Tony, or most of the passengers, the description doesn't do much for him. "I will keep that in mind. But he's- is he another passenger as well?"

[sensitiveapple]

She nods. "He is. I think he's been here the longest." She says, settling into her place by the box again. She wraps her arms around her knees. "Everyone you see here is a passenger." She says. "None of us are from the same world as the train or part of the Void or whatever." She's not exactly sure how it works.

[salutosinedelectat]

It sounds familiar enough that he's not actually surprised, although the lack of crew or any idea of who might even be running this whole thing is a bit concerning. But he's also not unfamiliar with lack of information.

"I see." He answers plainly enough, thinking it over. "I believe I'll go and fill out the questionnaire, and see if I can meet this Mr. Stark.

[sensitiveapple]

She nods. "His office is in one of the quiet cars. He'll be there, most likely." She smiles a bit. "It was very nice to meet you."

[salutosinedelectat]

Aziraphale nods back politely, figuring he might as well find Crowley and get him to answer his questionnaire too. Little does he know what that actually entails.

"Likewise, my dear." He straightens his vest, and smiles at her. "I do suppose we'll see each other around." And he goes off on his way.