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

[hotheadwarmheart]

[Lea is too surprised to be let go of for a moment to try and catch Wormmon himself, but luckily the Digimon's friend is on the ball and the caterpillar is saved from a sudden and likely unpleasant meeting with the train platform.

He sighed and shook his head, but smiled.]

Enthusiastic little friend you've got there.

[ramengroupie]

I'm sorry if we disturbed you.

[ You're okay, right, Wormmon?

...Wormmon is cuddling up to Ken's front, so Ken will cradle him and take this to mean that all is well. ]

We've been to other worlds before, but this one is the most surprising.

[ If only because he can't think of any reason WHY they would have been rerouted. He's ended up in a different world than he thought he would before, but then, they had an explanation for why the gate they'd wanted had been shut to them.....What could that signify?

Why has Ken, who has the power to choose what gate he opens, emerged somewhere different? Had he unconsciously wanted to be on this train platform?

Or... ]

[hotheadwarmheart]

It's OK. I just wasn't expecting to get glomped by a giant caterpillar.

And yeah, same here. Sorry if winding up here was less voluntary than what you're used too, but the train seems to be able to pull anyone from anywhere. It practically nabbed my friend Xion and I right out of our beds, and we weren't even in our own world at the time.

[ramengroupie]

[ Out of their beds? Hm. That both clarifies and muddles Ken's particular situation. ]

So our gate wasn't redirected.

[ Wormmon had better reassure his partner, since he can see Ken thinking so hard! (And maybe demonstrate that he is not that scared all the time. No. Nope. Not he.) ]

Don't be worried, Ken-chan. No matter why we're here, I'll protect you.

[hotheadwarmheart]

Not as far as anyone knows, no.

Though we do have a pretty good idea why we're all here, at least in the short term. We're brought here to help different worlds that are in trouble in ways that the locals can't handle.

[He looks to Wormmon.]

You'll have plenty of chances to protect your friend though, since things on those missions can get pretty dicey.

[ramengroupie]

Leave it to me!

[ Total confidence in himself from the, you know, squirmy green larva that started this thread by flailing through the air in fear.

Ken is pondering this mission, also with no doubts he is Very Protected. ]

Helping worlds in trouble....We're here because there are things that only we can do.

[hotheadwarmheart]

[Look, Lea knows better than to underestimate someone just because they're on the small side or look a bit goofy. He knows a buck-toothed dog person and a duck with a speech impediment who can kick more butt than most more impressive-locking people.

He nods to both Wormmon's affirmation and Ken's statement.]

That seems to be the case. Why us, specifically, is a mystery, but we do well enough.

Anyway, my names Lea. And I'm guessing you're Ken?

[ourtomorrow]

[ "Why us" was going to be his next question, so it's good to have it confirmed they don't know. (Not as preferable as having an answer, but at least Ken knows where they stand.)

He nods. ] Ichijouji Ken. This is Wormmon.

Nice to meet you.

[ Wormmon sticks out a leg. Handshake?

He's out of hands, unfortunately, but this will have to do. ]

[hotheadwarmheart]

[Lea chuckled, but accepted and returned the improvised handshake.]

Nice meeting you both too. And I guess welcome aboard the Voidtreker Express. It's kind of a crazy ride, but at least I doubt you'll ever be bored.