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

I.

[madcuriosity]

Alice looked up and turned to look at the gentleman who called out to her. He looked very dapper, even in the attire the train forced on all of them. She then had to look UP, because, well Alice was likely the tiniest on the train.

"Oh ah, yes sir, how can I help you?"

[salutosinedelectat]

He isn't entirely sure how much a child can tell him, but he's been surprised before. Specially in the last world he was in, where he met a a green-haired little girl that confused him quite a lot.

"Do pardon the intrusion, but could you tell me what exactly is this place?"

[madcuriosity]

"Oh... well, that is a bit complicated, I'm afraid, sir. But... well, this is the platform before we're forced onto the train. That train," she gestured behind her. "Will force all of us back on, whether we wish it to or not. And then it shall... take us somewhere, where no one really knows, only the train does. But every place we go, apparently, needs help in some way. I'm afraid it's a very rude train, it doesn't ask anyone what they think or even if we'd like to volunteer."

[salutosinedelectat]

"Oh." He finds himself saying, unsure of how else to respond, as he regards the train currently sitting in the station. Hearing the explanation did seem to make it a bit more imposing.

"Well, hum...why? Who's in charge of it?"

I am SO sorry for how late this is!

[madcuriosity]

"That is a very good question, sir, and one I'm afraid, I've not even a wit of an answer for. Some people might have met the engineer... conductor? Whatever the person in charge of a train is called, but I'm afraid I've not met them. We can ask others about, if you would like?"

[salutosinedelectat]

Well, she's a very polite little girl, at least.

"Ah, well, I'm afraid I must return to my friend. We've both found ourselves stranded here, you see." Accidentally adopting an even more polite tone than his usual one. "Is there anything we should keep an eye out for?"

[madcuriosity]

"Oh... ah, yes, sir. Of course," she wasn't about to stop a gentleman from going about his day. "Oh, as for what to look out for... I'm afraid I don't... I keep trying to understand this place, and then I get so terribly turned around like being in the middle of a forest without any signs, or well, no... more like all the signs pointing every-which-way."

[salutosinedelectat]

Aziraphale nods, finding the metaphors quite curious, but not inaccurate. "May we both manage to make sense of this whole thing. Thank you, my dear, you've been most helpful."

And off he goes, with a new handful of information that isn't quite encouraging, but it's...something. He ought to find Crowley and plan out their next step, for what little choice they have right now.