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

[runs_on_batteries]

[Tony gives him a small, slightly awkward smile.]

There was a point in the war I was in right before I came here that I'm not completely sure I knew if we were still in our universe or if we'd been taken somewhere else. It was off planet but.. a lot about that war was..

[He was having trouble with finding the right words here.]

Unique.

[That's.. wow. That's really an understatement but he doesn't really feel like sharing his nightmares with a stranger while standing outside the train in front of everyone.]

We can talk more about that later if you're still curious about it.

[He listens with obvious interest as Curufin explains his name and connection. Tony silently promises not to call this nice man 'Curfew' like he did to his father. It had seemed funny at the time, but the punch afterward had not been as amusing (though still on the humorous side).

And this guy sure knew how to ask tough questions. What did he think of Feanor?]

Well.. he's an ass, but then so are a number of my friends. He's very smart and has come through a number of times this past two weeks for me and for the train so... he's a decent man and I have respect for him.

[Did he just claim Feanor was a friend? Huh. He wonders when that happened.]

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Curufin returns that smile, and then speaks softly and reassuringly. ]

I understand war; I've been in so many of them myself. If you wish to speak of your experiences, I will gladly listen. We could meet later for that.

[ Curfew!!! Actually, Curufin would find that very funny. He wouldn't punch Tony for that, he'd share the joke with him. And yes, he asks tough questions, it's his nature. ]

My dad's an ass?? Well, you wouldn't be the first one to think so. He and his seven sons, including me, got into horrible trouble in our own world, and some would say it was because of Fëanor's arrogance. It was actually a little more complicated than that. But I see your point. And you're right, he's very intelligent and can be very helpful indeed. I'm glad he was willing to help, and I'd have to say that is his true nature.

What do you do on this train, Tony? And how did my father help you and the others?

[ Curufin would be very happy to learn his father has a friend on this train. ]

[runs_on_batteries]

[He obviously hadn't figured out this elf just yet. However, the fact he laughs at Tony calling his father an ass was a pretty good clue this man had a sense of humor.]

Seven sons? That's quite a brood. And, I can't entirely fault him for that. I've been accused of that same sin on more than one occasion.

[It even cost the lives of many innocents which might also have been Feanor's story.

It was strange, really. This son was so different than his father. He was so warm and chatty. He was a little more like Maglor than Feanor, now that he thought of it.]

I help people on the train between keeping them safe and not causing harm to others. There are a number of children on board, so I've done what I can to help them as well.

[Some just act like children whether they really belong in that category or not.]

Your father was helpful when we were trying to figure out how to contact the conductor or person in charge of the train. We ultimately were unsuccessful but we were able to determine the walls on this train are immensely strong. They can withstand extreme temperature and force without even scratching or marking the surface.

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Curufin does have a sense of humor, though that's partly because he's no longer in the grip of that horrible Oath that Fëanor and all his sons swore. Words have enormous power in their universe, and an oath has a life of its own; it can distort a person's life and thought to the point of madness. Which it certainly did. But after his death, Curufin was able to regain much of what he had been before the years of the Oath, and that includes chattiness and humor. ]

It is unusual, in our world, for Elves to have that many children. But we always liked being a tribe unto ourselves. So you are accused of arrogance yourself, on occasion? Maybe that's why you understand my father. I've been told I'm arrogant myself, and rightly.

[ Tony hadn't known Curufin in his adolescence and early manhood, or he'd have seen how much like Fëanor he could be. They both had the blood of innocents on their hands. But in his post-death existence, Curufin had striven to manifest warmth and compassion, though it had not always been easy. He was partly following his brother Maglor's example. ]

You're acting as a protector, here on the train? I respect that. Especially as there are children.

[ Does anybody ever really grow up?? ]

You enlisted my father's help to try to break the body wall of the locomotive, in order to contact the conductor or the engineer? [ He can't help the grin that comes over his face. Blowing things up is also one of his specialties. ] I take it those in charge of this train are not amenable to conversation with the passengers. What did you and my father do?

[runs_on_batteries]

[He grins at the idea of being a tribe with his family. The Stark-Potts-Parker.. no, wait. Back to Curufin. Ah yes, being arrogant, he can't help the guilty for not feeling guilty smile that creeps up.]

It's accurate, so I can't say too much about it.

[The next part, he nodded his head almost like a small bow.]

Yes, I do. Not just the children, but they do seem to find the most trouble. If you haven't, you'll meet soon enough Peter Parker. He's a professional at trouble finding him.

[There's a fondness to his voice, even as he mildly insults the kid. He's also visibly amused that Curufin approves so strongly that his father helped to break the train.]

No, we haven't been able to get them to speak with us at all. It's very frustrating. And let's just say, your father had to be the voice of reason- something that after our first meeting I thought was beyond his capabilities.

[Again, the words could be insulting but the tone and smirk on his face were nothing but fond.]

Do you like coffee, Curufin?

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Curufin will want to hear Tony's story, whenever Tony is willing to tell it! And oh, that guilty-for-not-feeling-guilty smile! Curufin finds it charming. ]

Arrogance must be

I'll be pleased to meet any of the children. Especially a professional trouble-maker or -finder!

[ He notes the fondness and imagines that he'll like Peter Parker as much as Tony does. Also, breaking things is as much fun as making things. XD ]

I wonder why these train authorities won't speak with the passengers? That certainly is strange. And as for my father, I know exactly what you mean. He was able to be the voice of reason when I was young, but later on, that was almost impossible. I'm proud of him if he stood up for reason, somehow, in your little experiment. I'll have to ask him for the whole story.

[ No offense taken! Curufin likes it that Fëanor has Tony's friendship. ]

I do like coffee. [ Smile. ]

[runs_on_batteries]

I can tell they hear us though. I used the communication device on board to speak with them when we first arrived here and things have been adjusted since.

[He breathes a laugh at Curufin's eagerness to get the full story. He gestures for elf to follow him on to the train.]

Shall I show you to your cabin first to drop off your bag or would you care for that coffee right away?

[so_dark_a_road]

You spoke with them through that device? How did you get their attention? And what did they change in response to your request?

[ He grins and follows Tony onto the train. ]

Let's go get that coffee. I can stow my bag later.

[runs_on_batteries]

Oh.. uh, I yelled at them and threatened them bodily harm.

[Pleased with that answer, Tony leads the way to the kitchen.]

You can stash your bag over there. How do you like your coffee?

[He sets the espresso maker up to start brewing.]

[so_dark_a_road]

[ Snerk. ] Yes, the diplomatic approach always works.

[ He enters the kitchen and drops his bag where Tony indicates. ]

Black is fine. Thanks!