A New Platform [Intro Post July]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

Luckily for everyone the final couple of days of Fiddlesticks are quiet and mostly uneventful. Eventually though they awake to the announcement. "Good morning passengers, it is day one of the month of Grasshopper. 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. Also a loud pattering sound, which they will discover once the doors open are hailstones. They might want to grab their raincoats.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Ann Takamaki, Drizzt, Geralt, Huehuecóyotl, Ignis Scientia, Ivy Wakefield, Jiang Yanli, Lan Sizhui, Maebhrin Tillinath, May Parker, Nie Huaisang, Osomatsu Matsuno, Raven, Roxas, Shaw, The Iron Bull, Ultimo, Wei Wuxian, Yuki Sohma, Yuffie, Yukito Tsukishiro

But on the platform itself there are many new faces. Wearing hoodies and waterproofs, 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. The second thing they will notice is it is cold, hailstones rain down around them, though they don’t last long on the platform ground, melting into slush.

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 nineteen figures all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. 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.

Indeed whereas usually there is plenty time for people to be met and brought slowly onto the train, the whistles blow a lot quicker this time, as if hurrying the passengers along.

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, it seems carrots have taken over the bacon, though there are plenty of other staples.

Those from blue team who go to investigate will find a box of biscuits. There is enough for the whole team, including new passengers. Join in your team's success!

Those who are not new will quickly discover some changes made to make the train accessible to those who can’t see, including Braille translations of all the signs around the train.

There is of course the new music room to explore. A double carriage, the downstairs has instruments to learn and practice with, as well as a series of music screen points. Those who play around with the screens will soon discover their SCA’s can now store music and can choose their favourites to listen to around the train.

Upstairs is a performance area and holds a piano.

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 over the noise of the hail stones 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

[deage]

Haibara's eyes widen at that voice. She turns, and the relief that appears on her face is plainly visible. However, it's also short-lived as she pulls herself together, her expression returning to her default state. Still, the tension was lessened. She's glad that he found her.

"Kudo-kun. So you are here."

[deductiongeek]

"I've been here for months now." As worried as he was about the implications of her showing up here, it was a relief to see her again.

"No one has seen your nametags yet, right?" He assumed so, or else she'd be a lot more upset than this."

[deage]

.....There was a lot of information to take in with only those few words. A lot on concerning information. "What are you talking about? We were just together. I still have a lot of questions about that stunt you pulled with Kid, by the way."

She pauses, though, because those particular questions can wait. "What's this about nametags now?"

[deductiongeek]

"Check your shirt and ticket," he tells her bluntly. This was the worst part of being here for both of them. "Our names are printed on everything."

His own name had long ago been removed from his shirt and bag, although he hadn't been able to do anything about his ticket or the train's roster.

"And that is a long story. For me, that incident was months ago."

[deage]

The statement about how long ago the Bell Tree Express was - something Haibara had literally just gotten off of before arriving here - could be put on the backburner for now.

Ticket - Shiho Miyano. The shirt she has to do some pulling to see, but... Shiho Miyano. "Whoever brought us here... knows who we really are." Her eyes widened, she glances back to Conan. "And the names are on everything?"

She's already pulling off her bag to examine it in more detail.

Congrats, Conan, you're going to give his girl a panic attack.

[deductiongeek]

"Everything," he confirms grimly. "Every item in your bag and on the name plate by our assigned rooms. There is also a passenger roster which every person on the train can access." He had a good idea just how badly Haibara was about to take this news.

"I'm sure that this wasn't caused by them, but whoever brought us here obviously knows our real identities." And that brought up all kinds of worrying possibilities.

A pause.

"Ran is here too."

[deage]

Haibara is still processing all of this, like an old computer with too much data inputted at once. Real identities are known quantities, but Conan is sure it's not them. But this still puts her... both of them... no, everybody that both of them know... at risk.

"Every item.... and a nameplate? And a roster?" That's not good, not good at all. Most of it can be hidden for now, in the bag, but she needs to do something for the bag itself. And the clothes.

"This is bad. This is very bad. Our identities are compromised!" Did you think she'd take this badly. You were right, Conan. "And Ran's here, too!?"

[deductiongeek]

"And the ticket has to be carried at all times." The tickets with their real names. He had so much bad news to share. "If we don't its possible to get locked out of our rooms. Also, on at least one occasion we were boarded by inspectors who also knew all of our real names and ages."

He'd been here long enough to start to get used to it. But.... there was a reason he was a regular member of the insomnia club here.

"She arrived last month. Hattori used to be here, but he left some time ago." There was also Kaito, but that was a whole other issue.

[deage]

A ticket.... a ticket is fine. That can be kept in a pocket, away from prying eyes. If she's careful, nobody has to see it except these so-called inspectors. She could, with a little warning, make sure nobody else is nearby to show them.

"Has she caught on?" This is more important right now.

[deductiongeek]

"She knows Shinichi is listed on the passenger roster." He hadn't been able to do anything about that. "I told her that the train made a mistake and took me instead. She believes it so far."

And yes, he knew that was a paper thin cover story, and it wouldn't hold up forever. When he'd first arrived on the train he'd panicked, and that had been the best he'd been able to come up with in the moment. Now he was stuck with it.

[deage]

Really, Kudo!? "That's the best you could come up with?" Hrn. This doesn't bode well.

"At least she doesn't know my real name. But if she notices that 'Ai' is missing on the roster... or if somebody from the Organization shows up..." This was still bad. It could be worse... but it wasn't good.

[deductiongeek]

"I'm not working with that many options here."

[deage]

You can believe that if you'd like, Kudo. But she has to admit, "The hand is really stacked against us this time. Please tell me you don't have any other bad news for me."

[deductiongeek]

A momentary flicker of nervousness passes over his expression. And if it was enough to make him look nervous, even for a moment, you knew it was bad.

"There may be a few people on the train who know my true identity."

[deage]

That is not quite the news she was expecting. But it was, as stated, quite bad.

"Kudo-kun. Do you mind explaining that one for me?" Said in the tone of an angry parent asking their child to explain why they came back to their house being on fire. "Your secret is the only thing protecting your life and the lives of everybody around you. You understand that, don't you?"

[deductiongeek]

"I get it," He says with some irritation. "It wasn't like I went around telling people on purpose." Apart from that one time. "Two of them found out because I was locked in a room with them when the inspectors arrived. Two others are apparently from alternate realities where they knew a version of me and found out there. Another one knew because our reality is apparently some kind of story in his world. Another found out because he somehow managed to enter my dreams, and I didn't have a way to explain away actually seeing them. And the rest found out because I found out that magical healing affects the apotoxin."

And then there was KID, but he was going to save that particular revelation for now.

1/2

[deage]

Holy SHIT, Kudo.

[deage]

"Leaving aside the outlandish way you describe most of these people finding out..." Alternate realities is science fiction, but at least science. Entering dreams? Magical healing? What kind of situation WAS this, exactly?

"...That's at least half a dozen people who are all in danger if the Black Organization arrives, and an exponentially higher risk of discovery because of them. I don't even know what to say to that." It's her I'm Very Disappointed In You tone now.

[deductiongeek]

"I'm aware," he says sourly. "But what would be worse? Telling them the bare minimum to get them to back off? Or refuse to tell them anything and let them follow me around asking questions?"

The options were not ideal here.

[deage]

"Just keep in mind what's at stake here. Do you think Gin is going to care about the reasons if he shows up and finds out who you are?"

She sighs dramatically. "Just try not to let anybody else find out. Please." See that? She even said please.

This was a lot to take in, and she hasn't even finished taking in the other news. You're going to drive up her blood pressure Kudo, which is impressive in a 7-year-old's body.

[deductiongeek]

"I'm hardly going to forget that." But if she had a better idea to explain away everything that had happened, he would be glad to hear it.

"Its not like I was planning for any of the others to find out," he complains sourly.

[deage]

"What's done is done, I suppose. As long as you keep that in mind for the future, there's really nothing else to do." She GRUMBLES that last point, like it physically hurts to admit. Bah.

"Next step is making sure nobody finds out about my identity. We can fix the items having my name, but you said there's a roster, and nameplate too?"

[deductiongeek]

"Are you feeling alright? That's a lot more generosity than usual?" He was mostly being sarcastic.

But that part done, he settles back on his heels and frowns. "That's the problem. We don't have the equipment here to replace the names on either the roster or the nameplate. The nameplate can be covered up, and most people here will believe us if you just say you prefer a different name. But the roster is a problem. Anyone can access it at any time. And there doesn't seem to be a way to change it."