voidtreckerexpress | 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

With a shake of his head, Trowa shrugged. "Sometimes people will vanish and reappear later trapped inside a piece of luggage. Others will disappear and not reappear until we reach a platform and they leave the train completely. When someone leaves at a platform, nothing you can do will stop them."

"Trapped inside a piece of luggage ..." Zechs repeated, eyes narrowed. He didn't doubt what Trowa was saying - it just sounded ridiculous. And for someone of his height, incredibly uncomfortable. "If they're to return me home, I hope I don't return here in that way."

But then, he shook his head. "I was more referring to the more sinister forces of work. The Void Ministry. The ... shadowy force that's destroyed two worlds, so far as one source is aware of. There's something deeper afoot than our kidnappings."

"You should find a young lady named Nita. She seems to know the most about the realities of the train and what's going on." He hadn't met her personally, but he had heard of her.

"Appearing in the luggage seems to happen if you vanish and then return to the train for a while. It happened to Duo when he was here."

Zechs nodded. "I'd spoken with her, that's how I was able to get so much information in a short time. Though, it's possible she's an exceptionally good liar, and has most of the train fooled by her claims that she communicates with the train ..."

His lips pursed. "I see. I'll ... try to avoid that, if possible."

"Please do. He was...deeply distressed...as a result. He left soon after it happened, too." Trowa still missed his brother, but it was good that he had gone home, if home was where the people who left the train returned to.

"For home, the best we could hope," Zechs noted, a little solemnly. "Though without a true way to verify what's happening in the Earthsphere, we can only speculate."

"Things were trending toward peace the last I knew. But you'll have more current information that I would."

"I'd more meant how they were faring at this moment, during the time we're kidnapped here."

Zechs chuckled, though he didn't find it funny. "To be fair, my absence would make the least impact."

"I'm sure Noin and your sister would disagree with that." Maybe not many other people, but there were a lot of people in the world. One man couldn't be missed by all of them.

Something in Zechs' expression instantly shuttered, at the mention of - it might be hard to tell. Was it Noin's name? Relena's? His expression was cool, blank, and his gaze was steady.

"Perhaps," Zechs said neutrally, not agreeing or disagreeing with him. Very much not letting on what he had thought on the subject of either of those two at all. "Thank you for speaking with me this afternoon - it will be good to work together with you, Barton, on future missions."

Formal and stiff.

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