A new platform [intro post September]

[voidtreckermods]

For those on the train

“Good morning passengers, it is day one of the month of Bassoon.” The train announces the morning the month changes. It seems the train counts months in days of thirty. Team Points have been updated on the system.

The day continues as most days do, chores, eating, getting ready for another day. But those who suspect that a change of month may bring something else are correct. It is only an hour or two later that there is another announcement.

“Shortly arriving into a designated void platform. Exit from void imminent.”

By now they should know to hold on as the train jerks and jolts. There is only fog outside the windows but the train soon comes to a stop. The doors hiss open.

As they exit into the fog they may notice Evie exiting from the luggage carriage door. Much like Hibiki the last time they were on a platform. She leaves the train, backpack on her back as she walks through the station. She heads no call, reacts to no words and cannot be stopped as she walks to the ticket barrier and disappears through it.

Strange. But even stranger still is that there on the platform that whole time is Evie. Dressed in purple, backpack on back, with her are others. Waiting for the train.

For new arrivals

At first all they can see if 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 your 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 very large, but it hold twelve figures all facing the tracks, all wearing similar clothing. The tracks stretch left and right into steam, or perhaps fog. Nothing can be seen to either side. There is a wall around the platform and the only entrance is a ticket barrier. It cannot be open, nor do there seem to be any staff.

What there is, is a train. Jet black and gleaming where it stands on the rails.Voidtrecker Express is emblazoned in the engine in gold. There is a hiss as the doors slide open.

Out step a selection of people, some less human than others, wearing clothes just like those worn by those on the platform.

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.

Once on board there is lots to explore. Passengers both old and new will hopefully be delighted to see the boredom of this train journey is somewhat alleviated by the introduction of a game carriage. Plenty of games, both familiar and new to play with your new travelling companions.
Each ICP shows the same message. If Red team go and look they will find a box in the luggage compartment that contains their prize. A dralite themed cake lolly each. There are enough for the new members of Red team too, share in your teams previous success!

The food stores have been topped up with new fresh food. Salmon has taken over as the primary ingredient of choice. Hopefully everyone likes fish!

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. For those who boarded two weeks ago they will know what is coming next.

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."

Hopefully someone warns you that you really want to heed that warning because a moment later there is 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 voidspace.

Comments

[sell_tickets]

He grinned and nodded, studying the board. There was a lot to think about, yes. And how someone played Chess told him a lot about the choices they made in life. He moved a Prince towards the witch, a threat but not a promise. There was room for her to retreat.

[myblueskies]

Okay so the prince was coming for his witch? She could run away backwards but the point was to go forwards. At least a little so they could get mister Khardeen's queen.

He moved a second witch, it was always better to face threats when you had friends after all!

[sell_tickets]

Interesting. He considered a moment, then sent his Prince at the witch that had just moved, she could retreat or be taken if another piece was moved instead.

[myblueskies]

Oh no! The prince was chasing his witch. She best run away. So Romeo moved her away from the prince, making distance between them.

She definitely needed more friends to help her but that would have to wait until next time!

[sell_tickets]

He nodded once and pressed his attack on another Prince with another of his own. Good, good instincts. So far he was impressed with the kid.

[myblueskies]

Romeo moved another piece towards his witch, making a group. The more pieces that stuck together the best.

He watched Khardeen, wondering what he would do next!

[sell_tickets]

Good. Good. Team work was crucial. He brought a Warlord up to reinforce his second Prince. This kid was already proving himself to be sensible and bright with good instincts. When Khary got free of this web, they'd have to find who this kid really is and make sure he's getting proper training.

[myblueskies]

Oh that's one of the powerful ones! If Khardeen is bringing up a more powerful piece then his little group needs a more powerful protector. He took a moment to find one and began moving a warlord over to his group. There's still plenty left to protect his queen!

[sell_tickets]

He saw him take the Warlord and nodded a bit to himself. Time to see if he could lure more protectors away from the enemy Queen. He moved another Prince towards the new group he was forming.

[myblueskies]

Two princes now! But Romeo was hopeful that his little breakaway group could take them, they were brave and would work together.

Maybe he could distract them, send someone else out to attack from the other side? He frowned before moving a prince towards Khardeen's main group.

[sell_tickets]

He raised a brow and that one moved towards his main group was met by a Warlord Prince in position to take his Prince. A warning.

[myblueskies]

Oh he best be careful! He moved the prince slightly out of range so he couldn't be taken. He hoped. He was trying to remember how everything could move and he had to remember that Khardeen was stronger than him.

But that was fine, it just meant he had to try harder!

[sell_tickets]

He nodded and moved the Warlord prince back to continue defending the Queen. A lesson both for Chess, and the real work. As most lessons in Chess were, really.

[myblueskies]

Right okay so he had moved away, that was good! Romeo looked over his board again, his Queen still had lots of people surrounding her. That was good too. He looked back at his little group. They were together and a team so maybe they could push forwards?

He moved one of the pieces forward, ready to move the others or move her back if she got attacked too quickly.

[sell_tickets]

He raised a brow, grinned, and moved a Prince towards the knot around his Queen.

[myblueskies]

Romeo thought a moment and then sent one of his princes to meet Khardeen's. There was still a lot of people around his queen and a challenge needed to be met!

[sell_tickets]

And the game was joined more seriously now. He studied the board a moment, considering, then brought a Warlord Prince to back his Prince.

[myblueskies]

That was alright, Romeo trusted all his pieces to be able to hold off Khardeen's. He moved a warlord prince of his own towards his prince, though not too far. He still needed to be able to protect the queen, that was the most important bit!

[sell_tickets]

He nodded, considering, then returned to his smaller attack on the other side of the board. Would the kid take the bait? Time to find out.

[myblueskies]

He was being attacked on two sides now but he was going to hope his little group could hold their space. They were a good team he thought. He moved his prince again, toward Khardeen's pieces. Pushing the attack.

[sell_tickets]

Interesting. He decided it was time to be a bit more aggressively defensive. He moved a Warlord Prince towards the the attacking a Prince. Move it or lose it, kid.

[myblueskies]

Sometimes you had to run away, but sometimes you had to stand up for what was right! Even if you fell.

Romeo moved the prince forwards again, pressing the attack.

[sell_tickets]

He took the piece with a small nod. He agreed that was the case, hit perhaps this wasn't the right time. But the kid was young, and this was the safe way to learn.

[myblueskies]

Oh, his piece got took. That's alright though. His prince had been very brave!

He studied the board and moved his wardlord prince back towards his queen, just to make sure!

[sell_tickets]

He gave an approving nod and moved his piece back as well.