voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post October]

Entry tags:

A New Platform [Intro Post October]

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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"I prefer to go by Zechs Merquise," Zechs said, and didn't show surprise by what was on the door. He already had seen the roster; he needed to track Trowa down for a conversation. That was not a meeting where he wanted the younger pilot to be taken by surprise.

"It's a pleasure meeting you," Zechs continued, a little dry, but still polite. "It seems that we're going to be bunkmates for the foreseeable future."

"Merquise. I'll try to remember that," he said. Time to put the ki signature to the name. Both names as it might become relevant with the way the SCA comms worked. But he would do his best to remember what the other man preferred to be called. "I'm Piccolo."

Though technically his true name was lost to time apparently the train didn't know what else to call him either so he was thankful for that. His friends all still called him Piccolo anyway. It was easier. And he had no objections.

"And you're right, we are. Although I'll make it easy on you: I don't spend time in there if I can help it. It's cramped enough as it is. The only time you'll see me in there is after what we call the morning reset because the train forces everyone to wake up in their cabins after a certain set of time. Even people who don't sleep." Take that one under consideration. "Otherwise, I'll be in the training gym or the greenhouse, sparring or meditating."

If the guy was interested in that sort of thing then now was a good time to hear about it. He cocked his head to one side as he waited for the reaction to all of that information.

It's interesting, because there should be no way that 'resetting' them should be physically possible. Aside from the so-called magic he'd already seen demonstrated. It was ... believable, as he had direct evidence. But difficult for Zechs to really reconcile.

He didn't question it, though, simply nodding. "Good to know."

Meditation didn't catch Zechs' interest, but sparring did. Not that he was particularly surprised, with the alien built as he was. Poised dangerously as he was. "Hand-to-hand combat, or is weapons training permitted aboard the train?"

Piccolo nodded and left that as that. He didn't care about the rest of the arrangements when it came to the cabin anyway. He was much more interested in the other topic he'd dropped into the conversation. It was obvious, too, in the subtle change of his demeanor. A more alertness towards the conversation, a slight lean forward, a wondering eye that took its time in gauging Zechs's form.

"Some practice both forms of combat. I'm a martial artist." A beat and then he thought appropriate to warn the other about one thing though. "Capable of ki manipulation to an extent you might not be familiar with. But I don't mind sparring without it here. The train isn't much of a good place to go all out for me anyway." Another brief pause. "I also train people here. Some people pick up on the ki manipulation I teach them, others don't."

But if you wanted to learn how to fly without wings or an aircraft, Piccolo was the best bet around. He had a few students capable of it at this point.

The look he gave Piccolo showed him that he was completely unsurprised about being a martial artist. But then, his brow furrowed slightly.

“I have no idea what ki manipulation is, or what it means, to be frank,” Zechs didn’t see a point in lying about it. “So yes, I’m unfamiliar. What would be involved in the training you’re offering?”

"Heavy martial arts and meditation for concentration," he answered the actual question first before explaining a bit more. "Ki manipulation is the art of using one's inner energy to enhance fighting skill. It comes in many forms and has many uses but... the basic concept is to manifest the energy as either a defense or an attack."

Piccolo shifted his stance, pushing off the wall and uncrossing his arms. "Here, I'll demonstrate."

He held out his hand in front of him with his palm facing up. A glowing ball of light began to form in his palm, hovering just above it to be exact. It was a small demonstration but usually got the idea across. It wasn't just the idea of flowing energy inside the body, it was actual energy within turned into a visible and quite impactful attack (or defense) in a martial arts maneuver. At least where he was from this was possible.

He dismissed the energy after a moment to show it off and it disappeared. "Advanced techniques can be quite powerful attacks, or form impenetrable barriers. And since it'll probably come up sooner or later: I can fly with ki manipulation."

Zechs hid his skepticism, and followed. It was a reflexive sort of skepticism, anyway. He'd already seen someone shoot purple lightning from their hands, more or less. So at this point ...

He crossed his arms and watched, eyes widening a little at the growing orb of light. Piccolo was, much like Sakura, blatantly ignoring some rather foundational laws of physics. Creating energy from nothing.

And apparently managing flight.

He took a moment to process it, his expression blank, thinking it over. Finally, his eyes narrowed. "And you can teach these techniques to others. To anyone who would bother to ask, more or less."

"Yes," he said simply. He probably would have left it that way but he could hear the challenge in Zechs's question. So after a brief moment he continued.

"I already have one student on board that has learned to fly and control her energy, and another well on his way. Several warriors have gained a lot of mastery over their techniques training with me and new beginners are learning martial arts quite well. They'll take the longest to learn ki manipulation, of course, but as far as I'm concerned anyone can learn the techniques I teach."

Which was true enough. It may have been hard for some, but not impossible for any. Whether it was because it was viable no matter where in the multiverse they were or simply because this multiverse in particular matched up well enough to his own, well, it didn't matter to Piccolo what the specifics were. It was possible.

Zechs was a better pilot than unarmed combatant. He was a better fencer, even, than unarmed combatant. But he knew he could hold his own - he refused to be defenseless in any situation.

And here, stuck on the train, robbed of any chance of piloting a suit again - would he ever get a chance to, if he couldn't leave this place?

He wouldn't live out his life unarmed. "You've caught my interest. What payment do you ask for in exchange from your students? These points seem arbitrary, and I don't have many."

There was always that pesky question about payment in exchange for something, wasn't there? Piccolo wasn't sure if it was just a human thing or a social thing in general. Neither were really his strong points.

"I don't," he answered honestly. There was nothing he needed that he couldn't make on his own and hardly bothered with that either. "You'll find that I'm a strict teacher and punishment for failure can be harsh. If you have qualms with that, then you can quit. I won't teach someone not committed."

Zechs nodded in acknowledgment. There would be some sort of catch, he was certain of it. But it was an unknown price to be paid, later. The reward seemed worth it.

Being trapped here, defenseless, bothered him that much.

"I've been training as part of the military of my world since the age of ten," Zechs told him, smirking ruefully. "Discipline and conviction are something I'm familiar with."

"Very well." He'll remember that later. If the man was what he claimed then surely they wouldn't have any problems. If not, well, then Piccolo wouldn't go easy on a liar. Children, maybe, if well behaved, liars and lazy people not so much.

"I'm in the training gym from morning till mid-evening most days. If it's overly crowded for the day I'll move to the greenhouse for meditation." He went on to explain his schedule in more detail which mostly consisted of when he taught who. Many of the older students were set times and the younger tended to wander in randomly though they had assignments to prove they worked on whenever they got back to him. He didn't really explain that or the fact that he only resorted to this sort of scheduling because of the train life but it might have been implied.

"If you want to spar with the other students let me know so I can pair you up." Cautiously. Though he wasn't above throwing someone to the wolves, he tried not to let anyone get hurt while training. He would probably watch Zechs perform first before deciding who was a good choice in partnering.

"I can't say hand-to-hand is my specialty," Zechs smirked, his competitive nature pinged, "but I won't improve my skill if I'm treated with kid gloves."

"I'll gladly face any challenger," Zechs told him confidently.

"You will be by the time I'm done with you," Piccolo said with all confidence in the matter. Though now he was curious. "What is your specialty? Firearms? Something else?"

Armies usually had guns, right? Unless it was a world without those. So maybe swords instead? He could get Trunks to spar with a sword. Well, hell, he could spar with him with a sword but Piccolo wouldn't be wielding one so he didn't know how that would make the guy feel. Anyway, it could be neither of those. He didn't know much about armies these days anyway.

"My specialty?" Zechs gave him a wry smirk. "I am a mobile suit pilot, and I am particularly skilled. There are few who ever matched me."

With all the other baggage his past had, he could still say that with confidence. "But also, I was the second-top marksman in my class, and I am excellent with a sabre. Armed, I am particularly effective against my opponents."

Mobile suit pilot, huh? That actually sounded familiar. It was certainly something he wouldn't have recognized prior to boarding the train. He had met a pilot or two of such things. Was friendly with both of them.

"There are others on board with similar backgrounds. In particular I had the pleasure to fight alongside one such pilot who was also adept at piloting spacecraft." Well, she piloted a star-fighter and he just flew around in space wearing nothing but a spacesuit and blasting things with his ki. Fun times. "Perhaps you can find a friend in one of them."

But back to what he knew best. "I can't help you with the gun and while I can spar you while you wield the sword I don't really know techniques with those either. Maybe Trunks..." He rolled his shoulders. "But I'll see to it you can fight as well without those things as well."

Zechs knew at least two of them were on this train, yes - and he'd need to speak with 03 and 04 later. They deserved not to be caught by surprise by his presence, if they didn't regularly check the roster.

Though, he did wonder if there were others as well. Surely other soldiers like them might be here. He nodded his head politely. "Perhaps. I'll look forward to speaking with them."

"If I'm going to be robbed of my weapons, here," Zechs saying, not letting on that the train saw fit to let him keep his unloaded gun, "then I need to learn how to fight better without them. Your instruction in hand to hand combat, and these new techniques, is exactly what I need."

Piccolo thought of Ple Two before even Trowa since he had talked the most to her about piloting mobile suits. It was an interesting conversation at the time. He understood little of the technical aspect but knew praise was due where deserved by skill. Also, some personal things that had been talked about but that was another story.

If Zechs were lucky he could befriend her as well. She was younger but very mature and rational. Piccolo liked her. He was already starting to lean towards liking Zechs as well. The man's determination and dedication won points in his favor.

"The train hasn't been too forthcoming in weapons, that's true," he said, not aware that the train shop had recently updated to actually include such purchases. "People forage for things to keep while on missions. But whenever that's not possible--it can't hurt to have more skills. It's good to see people thinking ahead."

Aaaand it wasn't as if he had any biased opinion on martial arts specifically....no of course not. (It was the best method of attack and defense, clearly.)

Zechs smirked a little, and nodded in agreement. "I'll need to see what I can't find when out in the field, then - but either way, I'd be a fool if I didn't take a chance to broaden my skills.

"And I doubt any soldier or warrior would pass up the chance to learn the sorts of techniques you're offering," Zechs also noted. If he could literally fire lasers with his bare hands, more or less, he certainly would have little use for a gun, wouldn't he?

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

A New Platform [Intro Post October]

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject

no subject