A New Platform [Intro Post November]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

The morning after the Halloween party passengers are once again woken by a familiar voice.

"Good morning passengers, it is day one of the month of Imagination. 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. But through the fog comes sunshine, causing patches where the light shines down to warm the concrete. Looking up passengers will not be able to see the sun through the fog, or much of the sky at all.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing as they walk silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Bryn Pendragon, Bucky Barnes, Colden Rollins, Elena, Fai D Flourite, Jiang Yanli, Juliette d'Aubigniy, Misa, Peter Parker, Samata Mahto, Satou Kuroneko, The Doctor, Tohru Mutou, Zuko, 10 Vigilant Gaze Purges The Horizon. They all walk silently and do not look back as they disappear through the barriers and into the fog beyond.

But on the platform itself there are 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 the thick fog, penetrated by beams of light. As their eyes adjust they will see they are on a platform, behind them are a set of barriers and in front of them is a single track.

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 five 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.

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 and Honey is the newest ingredient, jars of honey stock the shelves and the ICP's in the kitchen have recipe ideas for the month.

A new carriage has been added, those that go to investigate will find a small but function-able spa, complete with a small hot tub and even a steam room. It is a relaxing room with sun lamps and relaxing music or nature sounds available through the ICP. There are a couple of massage tables, with a course for how to give massages for those eager to learn.

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 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

[sizedoesntmatter]

Yugi wasn't always the bookish type. But this was one of those moments where he had a reason to go look for a book. He wanted to try and find ideas for a game for the most part.

He wanted to see what was around currently and if there wasn't anything, he figured he could always order some for next time. But when he arrived he paused for a moment.

"Ah, I'm sorry. Didn't realize there was anyone else here."

[zechs_isonfire]

"It's quite alright," Zechs greeted the boy with a nod, pointing out, "you're not disturbing me. The library carriage is for everyone."

He continued to frown at the books for a moment, but he'd glance over to see what Yugi was picking out, curious.

[sizedoesntmatter]

He soon looked over slightly "What do you think of the library anyway? I think when people voted for this carriage they were probably hoping it would be full of books, but it never was..." The ones that were there were ones people had left if he remembered correctly.

[zechs_isonfire]

Zechs nodded, his eyes narrowing a little. "I suppose I should remember that requests need to be very specific."

He looked at Yugi, and told him frankly, "I'm glad it exists, because it at least gives people an opportunity to easily share their books, so others might benefit. But it's ... extremely irritating, that the train is so stringy with any kind of information, whether it's benign entertainment or facts that might keep us alive and sane."

[sizedoesntmatter]

"Yeah, I think for certain items you do, but this carriage was voted for by people, you are never given a description as to what it's going to come with, people just have to assume." Which is what people had been hoping for honestly.

"It's much easier to be specific for items you buy yourself at least."

[zechs_isonfire]

"True, and I would share them with others once I've finished - in the case of a book," Zechs agreed. It just seemed terribly inefficient. And what would suit his needs might not necessarily suit other people's.

But he sighed, and gave the boy a slightly apologetic glance. "I doubt you came into here to listen to me complain. I'm still adjusting to this train."

[sizedoesntmatter]

"This is why I'm currently saving up my points. If people want books, I'd be more than happy to pay for some. Maybe not enough to fill this carriage up, but it's a start." Not like he really had much else he wanted to use the points he did have on anyway at this moment in time.

Except for maybe one outfit at least, but he still wasn't sure. But soon he gave a soft smile before shaking his head.

"It's honestly fine. If it's the one thing I am good at it's being able to listen to people's problems. It's a good thing to do after all."

[zechs_isonfire]

"Generous of you," Zechs told him honestly, though perhaps he was too stiff for it to seem like a warm compliment. "I've noted we've got that cinema carriage, but the films seem ... odd."

And he wasn't much for movies, anyway.

There's a very slight smile, Zechs asked, "Something you often did, back in your own reality?"

[sizedoesntmatter]

"The films are certainly something." Yugi doesn't go to that carriage often compared to others, but the films were definitely something.

"They aren't what people know at least." he paused for a moment. "Listening to peoples problems? it's not something I did often, but I have found I am a good listener anyway."

[zechs_isonfire]

Zechs conceded that point. "There's something to be said for that, perhaps. I was thinking the same about these books. A lot of them aren't ones I've encountered before, so ... they pass the time."

After a similar pause, Zechs recognized, "I'd imagine with people being kidnapped and taken here, there's plenty of problems to be shared around the passengers. I'll agree it's an invaluable skill."

[sizedoesntmatter]

"It's also something a good friend should do if someone is having problems." That was the way he saw being a good listener to be really for the most part.

"But it's...basically the only thing I've found I'm good at on this train, so it's something."

[zechs_isonfire]

"... You say, 'only thing', as if that wasn't something highly sought-after in a situation such as this," Zechs pointed out, serious, looking back at the stack of books.

"There are far worse skills to have as the only ones at your disposal," Zechs told him.

[sizedoesntmatter]

"I get the skill is useful, but only if people want it and only on the train... When part of what you have to do is missions off the train, the skill becomes a lot less useful." But he is at least trying to do his best on that one anyway.

[zechs_isonfire]

Zechs shook his head, and glanced over his shoulder at the boy. "Again. You're discounting the use that sort of support gives to those who fight."

But he's really not great at this whole, reassurance thing, so he turned back to the books again, and picked a mystery novel at random. "Besides. It seems most of the time, we're stuck on this train anyway."

[sizedoesntmatter]

"But they are usually then fighting and would need to focus....Though I guess some could be able to multitask." Much like he and his friends could listen to support and duel at the same time. But that was completely different to actual fighting.

So it was honestly a hard thing to tell. it's possible it works in different circumstances, but it hadn't been something he really wanted to test out in worry about what could happen.

"That is right. Only two weeks aren't we on the train a month... so half and half just about, maybe. It depends on the mission."

[zechs_isonfire]

"The actual fighting usually takes minutes. Preparing for a fight, and dealing with the results, takes far longer," Zechs reminded him, and he did think he was reminding, instead of teaching. Yugi had far more experience with the train than he did.

And he inclined his head. "Either way. As you say - there's at least half of our time stuck here, and much of the mission doesn't involve intensive combat."

"If you're not working on improving your skills in an actual battle," Zechs told him, "focus on your strengths, instead of what you cannot do. Spending a lot of time obsessing over weaknesses leads to madness."

[sizedoesntmatter]

"You'd be surprised at that. The only time I was in a fight it felt much longer than that." But that could also be down to the fact he had to focus at the time as he was a distraction during that.

"I think at best maybe 25% involves combat... Red team I heard usually ends up in a fight." he crossed his arms actually thinking a few things over.

"I don't see it as things I cannot do. More I try and see what I can and can't do by trying. If it doesn't feel right I will move on. Still kind of figuring stuff out than lingering on just one thing." He still liked his distraction idea he had going at one point, but he knew the major disadvantages of that one.

But it was still something. "But I will take what you said to heart."

[zechs_isonfire]

A wry twitch of his lips. "Actually, no. I'm quite experienced with combat. That's not uncommon for a person to experience, especially for inexperienced soldiers. But no matter how slowly time might seem to move in the moment - that's the adrenaline in your system, allowing your brain to focus and react to threats more effectively - in reality, it's not much time at all."

He nodded. "And I'm prepared for that."

"There's people far more suited, probably, to this kind of advice than I am," Zechs admitted ruefully. "I can only speak from the experience granted given the life I've lived."

[sizedoesntmatter]

"Do you ever have a time when you wish that fighting didn't have to be an option?" It was something he was honestly curious about for those who were more use to it.

[zechs_isonfire]

"Always," Zechs answered immediately, his expression growing a little blank after his initial reaction.

His lips thinned. "In one way, that's the reason many people fight. For the sake of those who cannot. Because, quite a few of us wish it wasn't necessary at all."

[sizedoesntmatter]

"I never really thought about it like that. I know people fight for those they care about but never thought of it in that way to." It really was something to honestly think about. Yugi himself wanted to help but never is capable of fighting, but he did know people who could.

[zechs_isonfire]

Zechs' expression softened a little from his initial, stiff reaction. He looked at Yugi again, considering him.

"I'm sure many people enjoy fighting just for the sake of it," Zechs told him. "In a way, I'm one of those men; there's a certain elegance to sparring with another person."

"But conflict, battles, war, those are things that ideally I would want everyone to avoid. Whether it's a brawl or a full-scale war between nations, there's always a chance for those too weak to defend themselves to be caught in the conflict. And the stronger the combatants involved, the more are trampled between those forces."

Zechs concluded, "A soldier cannot forget that they're fighting for those who are weak. And they invariably will, because a war isn't about them. The best scenario is for all sides to be too afraid of the collateral damage to risk harming civilians at all."

"But on a random mission, that's unlikely to happen."

[sizedoesntmatter]

"Unfortunately since those who people would consider weak have the choice to be a part of missions. It's that or be on the train for every single mission, but then you'd wonder why you were here."

Which is why he was still figuring out why he was here of all things. He thinks he might be getting some idea, but he couldn't be exact at the moment.

[zechs_isonfire]

That got a sigh, and Zechs shook his head. "You mistake me. I already told you that your skills here have a place, a use, on a mission like that. It's simply my job in turn then to help keep you safe."

[sizedoesntmatter]

"What do you think my place is with my skills. Because I get slightly how, but it's not a skill that can be in use all the time?"