A New Platform [Intro Post October]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

"Good morning passengers, it is day sixteen of the month of Horsehoe. Points have been updated on the system and new stock is available."

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. The first thing they may notice is that this platform is inside a basic shelter, making it warmer than the last couple at least.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Adora, Alex Hashimoto, Catra, Cloud Strife, Elizabeth Midford, Feanor, Gerome, Gladiolus Amicitia, Glimmer, Ifrit, Isabella D’Oro, Maru, Nari Reno, Noctis Lucis Caelum, Prompto Argentum, Scorpia, Siobahn Chereshei, SXT-2, Tamamo-no-Mae, Tony Stark, Uta, Zidane Tribal

But on the platform itself there are many new faces. Wearing hoodies in all four colours 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 gloomy, even without the steam and fog. They are in a wooden building, open to the tracks on one side. It in a creaky shelter, cobwebs hang from the rafters and there is a peculiar whistle as wind finds its way through the cracks.

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 gloom 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.

A new carriage has been added, those that go to investigate will find a room full of lockers, designated as the Armoury. Even for passengers without weapons it is somewhere to secure possessions. There are instructions on how to use the lockers and enough for everyone to claim one.

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!

Comments

[zechs_isonfire]

There's a slight frown on Zechs' face.

"Plenty of devices listen, even when there's nothing broadcast. It's good to know I'm not accidentally transmitting something to other people on this train."

And now, Zechs would be careful to make certain he never did.

"However - if your hypothesis is correct, and we're given points merely for being friendly and helpful - that means someone is paying a lot of attention to what we do. For those who work hard and see no reward ... it's possible we're being evaluated for values we can't even understand."

[blitzcheer]

"Sure, but--one person gets them for being helpful, but the other person don't? I'm just saying, it's not a great system."

It's not working that well, whatever it was.

"And privacy is the last thing I think about on this train, you know?"

So if there's going to be paranoia, maybe it should be constant, not just about the SCA. ...but Tidus doesn't care enough to be worried about that. Let whoever listen. He accepts the possibility easily.

[zechs_isonfire]

"It's not," Zechs agreed, taking what he said in consideration. "It's likely nothing to do with being helpful, then. Unless we monitor everyone as closely as the train might ... we probably might never know."

He smirked a little, wry and not amused at all, when Tidus pointed out that they'd have little privacy here. Hey. At least that's something he's used to. It still didn't make Zechs feel better about it - he always took steps to protect his secrets before.

"What are you usually considering on this train, then?" He asked, curious.

[blitzcheer]

"...Not a lot, I guess," he admits somewhat hesitantly. "I mean, if you wanna keep your secrets, do it. It doesn't hurt to try. We just don't know how much is already bein' listened to and what they know about us, right? Your name's already gonna be in the console. And there's...things about us it already knows."

Vague as that is, he decides to try and be clear about the whole no privacy; he'd really meant it as a wry thing about their position.

"But I'm just a guy," he adds on anyway, as if an answer to Zechs's actual question. A return to it. "There's nothing I can do."

[zechs_isonfire]

Yes, Zechs had already seen the name of a dead man on his door, listing him on the roster. There's nothing to be done for it. At least, nobody feared either of his names here - nobody cared, who he was or who he is. Except for two people, and he'd need to speak with them.

It bothered him, still. His secrets were his own.

Seriously, he told Tidus, "There's plenty anyone can do, if they possess the will and the determination. You'd be surprised. I've seen even those most would write off as weak accomplish incredible feats."

"If we have the drive to do something about our situation ... we will see results," Zechs said firmly.

[blitzcheer]

What a conversation to end up in when you were just trying to find a fiction book that isn't fantasy.

Not that Tidus dislikes or disapproves of what Zechs is saying, He believes in it even, though his own drive has been plummeted, and he can't meet its energy.

But he doesn't want to discourage it, asking, "You got an idea?" with some measure of disbelief; or just surprise, considering the guy is apparently. Adds, if to take off some pressure, "If you're an ideas guy, there's people on the train you can talk to. If you wanna know more about it."

That's helpful, right?

[zechs_isonfire]

"Nothing concrete," Zechs smiled wryly, "after all, I've only just arrived. But I'm not the type of person to give up, or to decide not to fight in the odds of my likely defeat."

He inclined his head, slightly. "I'll need to meet them. If they are 'ideas people' ... are you more a man of action?"

[blitzcheer]

A man of action? ... "I...guess that's one way to put me. I'll go along with something if I agree with it. But I'm not some kind of bigshot action guy. Not all of us are. Some of us were just part of a band or going to school, you know?"

Because Tidus is definitely getting the vibe that Zechs is more than just your average guy, or someone else who happens to be really into sports and nothing else. But, for guys (and women) brighter than him-

"Roland Crane's a good guy to know. Lightning." Who else... "Nita knows how to talk to the train. Maybe...Seto Kaiba? But I don't know him well. But he seems smart. He's on the council."

[zechs_isonfire]

"Hmm." Zechs sobered a little with that. He initially considered that they all would've been selected by whomever ran the train for a reason. But if that was true, plenty of the people here were simply ... he couldn't think of a better word than 'civilians.'

People that would need protection, instead of taking up arms against whatever was forcing them to be there.

He gave him a serious nod, but one particular name caught his attention. "The train itself is sentient? And this person, Nita ... they can negotiate with it?"

[blitzcheer]

"Whatever's in the engine room is," Tidus explains. "Nita...she can contact it, but it doesn't really talk. It just...feels. And listens? But it never answered when she did it for me and a friend."

He folds his arms. "It's like talking to a brick wall -- which fits, considering you talk to it at a wall."

[zechs_isonfire]

"How do we know her communication method is working, if it doesn't respond?" Zechs asked aloud, but then shook his head.

"I'll need to ask her," Zechs acknowledged. "Thank you again. My name is Zechs Merquise - might I have your name?"

[blitzcheer]

"Tidus," he gives, holding back the answer he had about Nita, but adding after in assurance, "You'll understand if you ask her. I dunno if you have it where you're from, but it's like magic. She calls herself a 'wizard'. She's trustworthy."

For whatever word his might be. But he'd put his trust in her, speak up for her regardless.

"'Til that though, uh-- dinner gets announced over the comms. You hear everything over them. And you'll be room sharing, if you didn't hear. It's pretty cramped in the rooms."

[zechs_isonfire]

Despite the not-great-news Tidus was giving him, Zechs still gave him a small, polite smile at the shared introduction. It certainly wasn't his fault, after all, that the train worked this way.

Even though, cramped shared rooms? Like he was back in officer training? Just, lovely. He'd adapt and survive, but he wouldn't like it. At least on Mars he had a cramped, single room. Privacy.

"I appreciate the information," Zechs told him. "Any other advice you think that's worth sharing? I will trust your expertise."

[blitzcheer]

He knows 'your expertise' doesn't mean much, but it along with the smile gets one back, something funny about it, or nice. Or embarrassing.

Nevertheless- "Well, there's the games car and cinema for fun. The gyms too. You probably saw the training gym on the way here--there's another down the bottom for sports. All kinds of ball games if you know any."

What else? Ah- "And I think the books are around five to eight points, if you wanna start saving."

[zechs_isonfire]

"Fitness is probably a good idea," Zechs thought aloud, nodding. "Games, cinema, sports ... anything that keeps our minds and our bodies active is welcome. Otherwise we will stagnate here."

Another tiny smile, a polite thanks for the information. "I've only received three points, so I will need to save. But if books are the only thing I find that I need to purchase, that makes us rather lucky. Thanks again."

[blitzcheer]

"No problem." He slides out a book - See Every Sunrise - and holds it up, a small motion of parting. "If you need anything, ask around. Even if you can't trust the train, the people here are good. They'll help."

[zechs_isonfire]

Zechs' expression doesn't change, but internally? Tidus apparently trusted too much. Sure - there were probably a lot of kind, trustworthy people. Apparently this man was one of them, unless he was fooling Zechs exceptionally well.

But others, surely were not. Zechs was not someone who should be included with those 'good people', or at least, he didn't think so.

He nodded. "I'll be sure to do that. Likewise, if you need a hand with something in the future, let me know."