voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post June]

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A New Platform [Intro Post June]

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!

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[ As is usual for new arrival days, Bryn's out here too, to stretch her legs and take stock of the new arrivals streaming in. There's no one from home she recognizes, which is a bit of a disappointment, but... well, they're probably just taking their time. Nothing to worry about.

When there's a break in the crowd, though, she sidles up to Dyme with her nose wrinkled up. ]

There seemed to be quite a few departures this time around. Wouldn't you say so?

[Looking over, he made a thoughtful sound while he considered that.]

Yeah, I noticed. I wonder how people leave? Or what causes it.

[It was a mystery still, just like it'd been the first time he'd heard about people leaving the train. He wondered if they went back home or if something more sinister was happening to them.]

It's likely to be the same thing that brings us here. The only real question is why...

[ She just huffs in annoyance and shrugs her shoulders. ]

It's not as though we have any way of knowing for sure, though. It really is frustrating.

Yeah...

[But what made them leave, like how was it decided who stayed and who didn't? There were way more questions than there were answers.]

It's super frustrating. Too bad we can't just ask somebody as they're leaving.

How do we know that for certain, though? Has anyone ever tried?

[ You can practically see the bad idea starting to formulate in her head. ]

I wonder what might happen if we tried to stop them...

[He opened his mouth to answer, then immediately closed it. That was...a really good question. And honestly? He had no idea.]

You know...I don't know. I've never talked to anybody about it, and I have no idea if anyone's ever tried to stop them.

[But it could be worth a shot, right?]

[ Bryn gives him A Look, her functional practically glittering with what can only be described as barely-contained mischief. ]

Then, shall we go and see if we can stop them and get some answers out of them?

Sure, let's give it a try.

[It couldn't hurt, right? He couldn't imagine any ways it could backfire on them besides potentially not getting any answers. It didn't feel nearly as risky as something like seeing what happened if you didn't get on the train when it left.]

[ The way she's rubbing her hands together in glee is maybe a little too diabolical for what is ostensibly supposed to be a helpful plan, but try not to worry about it! ]

Alright! Let's go then!

[ And with no further warning, she seizes Dyme's hand and starts doing her level best to pull him along towards the ticket barrier. ]

We'll just pick one at random and see how things go!

[She doesn't have to pull too much at least, because after tripping over his own two feet he follows after her.]

Maybe someone who looks nice...

[Someone who seemed like they would answer their questions, or in case something went wrong.

Or random, that worked, too.]

We'll meet in the middle and just go for whoever's closest!

[ She finally comes to a halt and lets Dyme's hand go free once they're close enough for Bryn to call out to the leaving passengers. ]

Hello! Would you mind stopping so we can ask you something?

[ No response, as was probably expected. ]

Mmmmm.

[Well, that didn't seem to be working.

Reaching out, Dyme tried to snag someone by the arm, but they didn't even turn to look at him or stop, and he eventually let go again.]

They're like...zombies, or something.

How rude...!

[ She hops right in front of one of them and flaps her hands in front of her face. ]

Helloooooo? If you don't answer me, I'll have no choice but to pick you up and carry you back to the train myself!

Are you sure that's a good idea?

[They didn't seem to be responding though, so maybe nothing bad would happen if Bryn tried to pick someone up.]

Also, I'll help.

[As if he hadn't seen her fight off one of those horrible ocean monsters single handedly, and she was probably stronger than him.]

Of course it is!

[ Of course it's not.

But Bryn's going to plant herself right in front of one of the retreating passengers anyway. ]

Excuse me! I don't know if you just misheard the first time, but–

[ And that's all she gets out before they barrel right through her, knocking her to the side without even breaking stride. ]

[Well, that hadn't gone anything like Dyme had expected. Or, actually it had, but just a little. He'd expected no response, but he hadn't expected them to just knock Bryn to the side.]

Are you okay? That was super rude of them.

I'm fine, I'm fine!

[ The way she dismisses his concern is a little uncharacteristically brusque of her, but going by the flush on her face, she's both embarrassed and annoyed. ]

I just– I don't understand how they could simply push me aside like that! I'm much, much stronger!

Maybe there's something wrong with them. I mean, they haven't answered us or even acted like we exist. Maybe the train did something to them.

[Maybe they really were like zombies, or in a trance or something. It sure as hell didn't make him feel any better about whatever was going on with people leaving.]

Ridiculous!

[ She's all afluster with annoyance. Her pride's definitely been bruised. ]

I can accept this silly train being able to bring us all here, but I certainly can't accept it managing to make someone stronger than me!

Mmmmmm.

[He didn't exactly want to argue with that, but the facts were the facts here, and...]

I'm sure magic or whatever can do a lot of strange things. I mean, they really just, uh...yeah. I guess the train's just really determined to get them wherever they're going.

[ Furiously pumping her fist!!! ]

Exactly! It's magic, so it's really just cheating!

[ Never mind that Bryn's strength comes from magic too... ]

But, anyway... why make such a production of sending them away like this?

I guess it could be.

[He didn't exactly know enough about magic to properly weigh in on that, honestly.]

Good question. I guess it's better than them just mysteriously disappearing, but. Maybe just so we can see them leave?

... That's not a bad theory, you know.

[ She's still looking a bit sour, but with her ego assuaged, she seems a bit more capable of actually doing something productive with this information. ]

After all, if we woke up and they were simply gone, it'd be quite frightening. Not that seeing them up and leave is that much better, but at least that way we know for certain who we have left.

[He was genuinely surprised--usually he had dumb theories. Or he worried they were dumb, at least.]

Yeah. It's still kind of scary just watching them walk away like this, but at least we know. It just doesn't make sense why the train doesn't let them talk to us or anything.

Could there be some sort of time limit, perhaps? Could there only be a short window to send them home? Perhaps delaying them with conversation could prevent them from being sent... wherever it is they're going.

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