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

[forleaving]

He held up the pamphlet he'd been reading. "Is the information in this accurate?" Of course, he was also assuming that a lot of people, if not everyone, had read them. He didn't know if that was true or not, but he was being hopeful.

[10billionpercent]

He had skimmed it awhile ago, but found it not that interesting at the time.

"Probably pretty close, anything in particular stand out to you?" Senku asked, since that was probably the more pertinent question, maybe he could expand on something if he knew the answer.

[forleaving]

There was a lot that stood out to him, honestly, but he'd go with the two most important ones right now. "No one's really been able to talk to the train conductor?" It sounded like people had tried, but he was skeptical about no one ever being able to get in to see the conductor. Wouldn't that person have all of the answers about what was going on and how they could get home?

[10billionpercent]

"That's the case, as far as I know." Senku nodded. "We never see any staff, we can't get into the front car where the engine is." He responded, looking like he was thinking for a moment.

"Unfortunately there isn't anyone to complain to, we're all in the same boat."

[forleaving]

"So no one's seen who's brought us here?" He didn't want to complain to anyone so much as he did threaten them until he got home. But if literally everyone that could be talked to wasn't responsible for the kidnappings... that put a wrench in things.

[10billionpercent]

"Not yet, I'm sure it would've been big news if they had." He commented with a bit of a thoughtful hum.

"It's one of the big mysteries around here."

[forleaving]

Hmmm. "Is there a chance they're hiding among us?" If no one knew who brought them here, it was possible that their kidnappers had blended in.

[10billionpercent]

"No, I don't think so." Senku shook his head. "Not from the way people behave and the Mentalist would tell me if there was someone like that." He also figured the original team tried to deal with that as well.

[forleaving]

"The who?" Well, assuming that was true and accurate, that ruled out one possibility. Which should have put him a little more at ease but didn't. Everyone here was still a stranger to him, which meant he was moderately suspicious of them.

[10billionpercent]

"Ah, sorry, Gen." He explained with a wave of his hand. "He's my friend." He was his friend, his general, his partner in crime...a lot of things, but friend was probably the best way to describe him.

[forleaving]

"Okay." He nodded. "Why's he called the Mentalist?" He assumed there was a reason for something like that.

[10billionpercent]

"That's what I call him. That was his so-called profession in the modern world." He said, with a huff of amusement.

"It's like being a magician with psychology thrown in. Card tricks and the like."

[forleaving]

As someone who'd literally been called a magician, Adam was slightly amused. "Right. Card tricks aren't bad," he teased. It hadn't been so long since he'd performed different kinds of card tricks, himself.

[10billionpercent]

"Card tricks are boring. Things like back palming, forcing, there's nothing really interesting to discover. Don't get me wrong, give him a pack of cards and he's talented. He was world famous, but they're just card tricks."

[forleaving]

"I always thought they were fun." Even if they weren't real magic, which he was now quite familiar with. "They take a lot of skill to learn."

[10billionpercent]

Senku actually knew that, and he knew Gen practiced his craft, and if Gen was there he would've kept insulting him because that was just how they teased each other.

"I guess. I don't really find things like that fun, especially if I can figure it out at a glance."

[forleaving]

"That's different. Knowing how it works takes all the mystery out of it." That was why good magicians never told their secrets.

[10billionpercent]

"Yep, sometimes it doesn't help to be so smart." Senku chuckled. "But he is good at what he does. If you're looking to be entertained, find Gen."

[forleaving]

"I'll keep that in mind," he said. Now, for a drastic subject change...

"Also, is there anything dangerous about being on the train?"

[10billionpercent]

He gave that some consideration. "Apart from bickering with your fellow prisoners, not really." He shook his head.

"I haven't encountered any, personally, and I haven't heard of much, just a fight between two people."

[forleaving]

That, he could handle. So long as he didn't end up as anyone's punching bag, he wasn't worried about bickering with people. "Okay." He paused a moment, then added, "Is there anything dangerous at any other time?"

[10billionpercent]

"Last mission wasn't too terribly dangerous. A bird was mad at me but..." He shrugged.

"From what I've been told, the orange missions are usually the safest." He said, gesturing at Adam's shirt.

"Others are more combat oriented."

[forleaving]

Birds were also the least of his worries, unless they were monstrous birds or something similar. "But there is a chance for people to get hurt on missions?" Worse than hurt, was what he was hinting at, but he didn't want to come out and say it.

[10billionpercent]

"So I've heard, but isn't that typical in any world, the possibility to get hurt?" Senku asked.

"If you're careful, you can mitigate the risks, most likely, and you won't be alone, if that's a help."

[forleaving]

He knew there was always a risk to get hurt, what he really meant was, was there an increased risk of getting hurt. "I'm more worried about someone not being careful," he admitted. "Working in groups might help, though."