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

[consider8]

[This boy had her attention. She had admiration for his hairstyle... one because it was fresh, and too because it looked like an homage to the Squid Sister Marie.]

[Oh right, she was asked a question.]

Mm. The last time I was on a platform like this all of my memories were taken from me. [A hand raises as her eyes drift to the ground...] ...I'm glad to hear people aren't experiencing that.

[10billionpercent]

[ He definitely had a unique hairstyle and it was completely natural! He could tame it if he wanted to, but why bother with that? ]

Hm. Interesting. [ A pause, and he thinks to clarify. ] Not in a good way, just, it's unusual. And you're experiencing this now?

[consider8]

[She shook her head.]

It's unusual, trying to think of things you've forgotten. I was hoping that if I found people that had forgotten things that were important then that would mean I may have had my memories removed again.

Aside from one boy, most everyone seems to remember everything except how we got here.

Which seems normal, to me.

[10billionpercent]

If I forgot something, I would find it very disconcerting. The fact I don't know how I got here does bother me, but I've decided not to worry about it. There's a host of interesting mysteries to keep me occupied.

[ He has that kind of memory, that if he forgot, it would be a big deal. ]

I can't say this is normal, but I've been here for a month and a half already, so I suppose it's becoming normal. I've seen some very interesting things so far.

[consider8]

Hmm... [Looking around, she could definitely see what she means.]

[Still...]

...what do you mean by that?

[10billionpercent]

Which part? My memory? I have the kind of memory that when I read something, for example, I memorize it and won't forget it. I might overlook something in a calculation, but outright forget things? Not typically.

As for the mysteries...

[ He grins. ]

There's a void we know nothing about, and an interweaving set of worlds we're traveling to, it's fascinating, not to mention a train that seems to be pretty indestructible, but I think we could test that a little more.

[consider8]

[Ohh...]

You're a researcher? [People in research and construction were held in the highest esteem. Oh, sure, there were a lot of military soldiers, but people who can make things? That's the type of thing that would get you promoted.]

[The destroying the train should probably have been more relevant, but for now she is just going to set that to the side...]

[10billionpercent]

Among other things. [ He nods in agreement. ]

I do a lot less research these days, and a lot more engineering, as well as medical and political stuff. My skills are kind of all over the map.

Of course on the train here, I'm back to researching.

[consider8]

I'm impressed. [She nods, satisfaction in meeting someone like him. Not only were they very close in age, AND he has the hairstyle of one of the two squids that changed her life, but he's ALSO a researcher! Feelings of existential displacement aside, this could have been a worse day.]

My name is Eight. May I ask you yours?

[10billionpercent]

[ He'd be honestly surprised to learn that meeting him is a highlight in someone's day, really, he's not that great at social interaction, but so far he has managed okay. ]

It's Ishigami Senku, but Senku's fine. Everyone calls me that.

[consider8]

[Eight's... odd. Though a part of that is a LOVE OF ENGINEERING and engineering-minded people.]

Senku. [She nodded.]

And you have been here a month and a half.

What have you found out, so far?

[10billionpercent]

[ He doesn't mind that so much, he appreciates people who can appreciate science of course. It's only his only hobby really. ]

A great many things, they just aren't assembled into a full picture yet! I know that staring into the void gives you a massive headache, and it's inadvisable because the more you do it, the faster it comes on and the less you can tolerate, and there isn't a lot to see.

I know there is only twenty-one hours in the typical day, three hours are missing somehow, whether it's through enforced rest or it just doesn't exist.

I can tell you about the two worlds I've been to and the things I've picked up. I don't know how the void works, or what this train is made of yet, or why it can withstand the void, but it's fascinating puzzle.

[consider8]

[Those were interesting things to know. The time especially. Though when she was in the Undersea Metro, all sense of time disappeared...]

[But most especially, the biggest thing she got out of all that was one special point of interest...]

Two worlds?

[10billionpercent]

Some people have been to more, but I haven't, so I can't tell you much about that. One was like a resort, at least, some strange kind of island getaway. I got so much work done.

[ That...is not how people vacation Senku... ]

And then we just left this world we were on for a mission. Those get assigned. It was a chance to do something though. Being on the train is boring.

[consider8]

[Hell, she would probably have done the same.]

Wait a minute.

You are telling me that the train's purpose is to take us to... other worlds?

[10billionpercent]

It appears to be, the missions tend to involve saving the world and swooping back out, as I understand it, not unlike the one we just visited.

[consider8]

...huh...

Why... [...would we be called in for such a thing?] ...who... [...would pick us to save the world?] ...is... [...there a higher calling that we have been chosen for?]

[Eight shook her head, well aware that she hadn't completed a full sentence.] ...do you think that the train's purpose is to do this?

[10billionpercent]

I think some people think the train is sentient. I'm not ready to make a determination like that, but I don't know who is behind this, or why they would choose us to accomplish these tasks.

[ He considers it and then shrugs lightly. ]

Really hard to say. Motivation would be good to know, among the other things. I wish I had more information than that, if only to sate my curiosity.

[consider8]

[She nods.]

It's also good to keep an open mind and not jump to a conclusion which we may ultimately regret.

[She almost feel for that one under the guise of "doing what she was supposed to do."]

[10billionpercent]

That's true. That's pretty much how science works in a nutshell. I'm not really ready to make many determinations I'm afraid, but I'm a patient guy. I don't mind studying something extensively to get a good understanding.

[consider8]

[She nods, pleased with that answer and confident that given time he would no doubt come up with some pretty amazing and accurate conclusions.]

[There's nothing much more for her to say but a cheery "Veewooee~" and perhaps...] Thank you for letting me know all of this, Senku. You have given me a lot to think about.

[10billionpercent]

Yeah, sure, not a problem. I'm sure if there's a breakthrough everyone will find out.

[ He raises a hand as a goodbye and heads off down the train. ]