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

1

[oripyrothy]

A little bit of time after the train's pulled up, there's a girl stepping out onto the platform. Horns made of some black stone, tail made of the same, she resembled some sort of demon.

She glances around a bit, but Roland - standing just off to the side - is pretty... obvious. "Hey, guy! Don't just stand around, you need to actually get on the train!"

Ifrit knows people out there are probably confused. She was like this just a couple weeks ago. But seriously, did they expect to find answers out there? Stupid. Just get on the damned train already, right? Her inner monologue skips over the fact she also wasted a lot of time questioning people out on the platform. Let's not dwell on that.

[adregem]

Roland blinks and wastes no time turning to the voice presumably addressing him. Guy? Although her appearance was humanoid, he does find the black horns and the tail slightly surprising. But Roland's face does not betray a single thought, for he was already used to meeting creatures of all kinds back home anyway. He has an inkling, however, that he's only hit the tip of the iceberg, and that there will plenty more beings to discover as he rides the train.

They're bringing in all walks of life, huh? That's interesting.

"Yeah, I get that." He replies. He turns back to assess the facade of the train once more. "Just...taking it all in, I guess." An idea pops into his thoughts shortly after. He takes a few steps towards the girl and makes a gesture to the front of the platform.

"This is probably a long shot, but I won't get detained or punished for trying to see the conductor's train cart, right?"

[oripyrothy]

"You can try to get over there," she says, emphasis on try, "but that thing's locked up and nobody can break in."

Thinking about it for a second, she continues. "Of course they haven't let me try to break in, but most of the people on the train right now are like, 'No stop trying to break in, it's impossible and bothersome' or something."

[adregem]

"Yeah. Sure. I guess it wouldn't be that easy, anyhow." Roland muses out loud. If it were at all possible to damage the train, the people who have boarded before his group today would have done it already.

But still, Roland still desired to see it for himself. He looks forward again and nudges his head towards the general direction of the conductor's cab. "I'm going to check it out real quick." He definitely won't stop her from trailing along, as Roland is immediately faced with a train car with completely blacked out windows, with no clue as to who or what sits inside. He grimaces, and approaches it to knock. One, two, three. Nothing.