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

[marriedanidiot]

Oh? [ She perks up at the blush ]

Is Quatre your sweetheart?

[sendiintheclown]

Yeah, he is. I was...admittedly torn when I saw him arrive. I had missed him greatly, but also didn't really want him stuck here with the rest of us.

[He's totally glad Quatre's there, though.]

[marriedanidiot]

Ah, that feeling I know well - I, too, am grateful for the kin that I have here, the new friends made. But I grieve, that they should be subject to this. At the least, we are treated relatively well, and there remaisn yet the promise of returning home.

[sendiintheclown]

At least I get to have him here again. I know Duo and I have each other, but he's like a brother to me. It's a completely different feeling.

[marriedanidiot]

Family is family. [ She smiles ] I am glad you have both, and I hope that you will be very happy here.

[sendiintheclown]

It's certainly a happier place with Quatre here. Duo and I can get stuck reminiscing about bad times.

[marriedanidiot]

That is good news. [ She smiles ]

Hopefully, you can make good memories here, all of you.

[sendiintheclown]

So far, I am. I mean, I have Amira now. Sure, she's not a lion, but she's an absolute sweetheart.

[marriedanidiot]

You had a lion?

[sendiintheclown]

The circus I work for has lions. Two of them, to be precise. Boscoe and Barbara are their names, sometimes I nap in their cage with them.

[marriedanidiot]

A circus? [ She tips her head curiously ] I fear I don't know the term. But you... train the lions?

[sendiintheclown]

It's a traveling troupe of entertainers. The lions are taught to do tricks and impress the audiences. I'm not one of their tamers and I do not perform with them, but I do help care for them.

[marriedanidiot]

Ah! Like the roving minstrel bands, except with animals? I see - are you a performer as well?

[sendiintheclown]

Yeah, exactly. I do some balance and juggling acts, as well as being the designated target for our knife thrower. She's also my sister.

[marriedanidiot]

How lovely that sounds! Your sister must have excellent aim, and steady hands. Does she do archery as well?

[sendiintheclown]

Not that I've ever seen. But I bet she would enjoy it a great deal. I don't think I would volunteer to be her practice dummy until she's as sure of a shot as she is with her knives.

[marriedanidiot]

[ She smiles at that ]

Best not to! It would not do to injure yourself!

[sendiintheclown]

She can work on that while I juggle. It will be safer that way.

[marriedanidiot]

Oh, you juggle? Yes, I imagine so!

[sendiintheclown]

Juggling and balance acts are newer for me performance-wise, but they are skills I've had for a very long time.

[marriedanidiot]

You mean more as a hobby, before?

[sendiintheclown]

Hobby and survival skill. Balancing on narrow things I've picked up as part of being able to jump up or use other acrobatic skills to avoid being seen on missions and on the streets.

[marriedanidiot]

... On the streets? [ Her eyes dim ]

You had no kin to care for you? [ Which... would explain why Duo and he both speak of missions. ]

[sendiintheclown]

Trowa shook his head. "My parents died when I was probably about two or so, and the mercenary group that took me in died when I was about ten." He didn't mention that they died because of a trap he had led them into. Nerdanel was much too nice to need to hear his guilt.

[marriedanidiot]

"Oh no." She says sadly. "I'm sorry, Trowa. At least there were folk who took you in although I am guessing mercenaries are not really parent material."