voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post September]

On the Train

The days after the holiday on Jema’Grethy tick away until they are awoken one morning. "Good morning passengers, it is day one of the month of Horsehoe. 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. When the doors open it is to snow, crunchy beneath their feat and falling from the sky in a light flurry.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Alice Liddell, Arataka Reigen, Dread Thunderstorm, Duo Maxwell, Fandaniel, Guy Cecil, Kaito Kuroba, Khardeen, Rainbow Dash, Sarai Thunderstorm, Victor Creed, Xiao Xingchen, Yuna, Yuuri Wakasa. They crunch through the snow, not stopping for anyone.

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, as snow flurries around them, coating the ground around them in white.

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 five 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, with… teddy bear shaped luncheon meat being the main ingredient to be found. There are plenty of other staples including a lot of fish caught from their island holiday.

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

A new carriage has been added, those that go to investigate will find a library. A double carriage it has a less formal, comfy downstairs fiction area and a more serious study library upstairs. It is devoid of books, though hopefully those who have bought books before will slowly begin to fill it.

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 braving the snow 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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"I'd rather be dead." Natsuno said honestly, with a shrug. "As far as I'm concerned, whatever thoughts I had before dying are completely moot."

Alarm was Gen's honest reaction, but he just allowed himself to look a little surprised, like he misheard this teenager. "Ah ... I admit that's ... but surely given this opportunity, this second chance ... nothing comes to mind, my friend?"

"Nope." Natsuno answered easily enough without hesitation. "I died when I did and I was fine with that."

There's a sort of wisdom in that, maybe. But it was still ringing alarm bells in Gen's mind. The drive to keep living, to survive, should be pretty powerful for most humans - basic psychology. The fact that Natsuno didn't seem to feel this way ...

He made a mental note that he should attempt to keep an eye on him. But, aloud, he just noted with a hint of sympathy, "It doesn't seem our kidnappers really care about what we'd wanted to do, anyway."

"I suppose not, since they are kidnappers and not some kind of allies." Natsuno retorted. He didn't think there was anything wrong with what he said, considering, even though he hadn't given it any context.

"Not much we can do but attempt to make the best of things, all the same," Gen noted, but he tilted his head a little at Natsuno. "And, of course, unravel the mystery behind why we were taken. Of course, if you did decide to take advantage of the vacation from where you'd been taken from ..."

Natsuno sighed heavily. "I'm not sure about that. I don't really care about why we're here, I just care about leaving."

"Fortunately, Yuuki, it seems that most people here should be united in wanting to make that happen," Gen told him, wryly. "It'll be best if we all work together."

"I...suppose I can't argue with that." If he cooperated at least a little bit, then maybe they could all go back to what they were doing.

"I'll try and see what I can figure out, my friend, but I admit there's not much I can do on my own," Gen smiled sheepishly. "I'm not a genius who can quickly engineer an escape route for us. But I'll share whatever I learn - would you be willing to do the same?"

"I suppose that would be fine, but I'm not sure what I would be able to find out." Natsuno answered. He'd always been book smart, and clever, but he wasn't a genius either.

Gen nodded and shrugged. "Likewise, but I can't simply sit around doing nothing. Well. I could, but I'd be bored rather quickly, I believe."

A New Platform [Intro Post September]

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