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

[showmeyourbraveheart]

Taichi blinked rapidly as he realized what was going on, then let out a soft sigh, mumbling his partner's name before speaking up more loudly and clearing his throat.

"Uhm, hi," he said. "Yeah, like Agumon said, we're new here."

"Hello to you too!" the Digimon cheered. "And hello, Amira! Taichi, she's just like Miko from back home!"

Taichi laughed softly. "Agumon, I keep telling you, not all cats are like Miko..."

[sendiintheclown]

"In my world, Amira's species is the smallest species of wild cat in the world." Trowa reached a hand up to scritch her ears. "Are you a, what did Wormmon call himself again, a digimon?"

[showmeyourbraveheart]

That got Taichi and Agumon's attention both. Their jaws fell open, and they exchanged a glance, before turning back to Trowa.

"That's right, Agumon is a Digimon," said Taichi.

"You know Wormmon?" Agumon added.

[sendiintheclown]

Trowa nodded at the question. "Yes, he and Ken arrived last platform, I think? We arrive at platforms twice a month."

[showmeyourbraveheart]

By now, Taichi had already met Ken. And dealt with the weirdness of his being older than he was. So that wasn't strange.

"Well, at least he's getting to know people," Taichi replied. Then double taked. He shouldn't have said it like that.

Agumon decided to speak up again. "There must be a lot of people on this train, huh?" he said, wondering out loud.

[sendiintheclown]

"He's probably more gregarious than he'd prefer thanks to Wormmon, but I might be projecting a little." Trowa was very introverted, mostly because he'd had to be. But he was going to make an effort.

[showmeyourbraveheart]

Taichi actually laughed a little.

"That sounds about right," he said. "He and I aren't the closest, but I do know a fair bit about him, and he used to have a much harder time with it. Wormmon's been kind of his saving grace through all that."

[sendiintheclown]

"There's another young man here with a digimon as well. His name is Takato, if memory serves. I've not met him yet but I've seen his name on the roster and I've seen him in passing."

[showmeyourbraveheart]

"Yeah, I know Takato's here," he said. "I've met him. Once, a long time ago. But we aren't from the same world."

[sendiintheclown]

"Really?" That was fascinating to Trowa, and he took a seat next to Augumon. "So there are multiple words with access to the digital world I've heard mentioned?"

[showmeyourbraveheart]

"More like different Digital Worlds for each human world," he said. "Takato and Guilmon's Digital World is different from ours."

[sendiintheclown]

"Hmm." It's not much of a reply, but there is definite interest in Trowa's eyes.

After a few moments, he seems to store what he was thinking and becomes responsive again. "Having been on the train for a few months now, do you have any questions I can try to help you with? Aside from 'why me', that is. No one has managed to figure out how the train chooses us. Yet."

[showmeyourbraveheart]

Taichi had to think about that. "I'm not sure," he said. "I've already been told a lot of stuff by a lot of people. That pamphlet is also pretty informative. I guess... anything you think could be useful, would be good?"

[sendiintheclown]

"Was there much in there about missions? Once a month, we stop on some world that needs our assistance in some way. Some of them know about the train, some don't. No one has to help the people, you can choose to stay on the train. And each team has a specific assignment. You don't have to go with your team, though. I'm on purple, but the last two months, I've helped the blue team with their assignments." Even though he'd nearly frozen his face off on the last one.

[showmeyourbraveheart]

"There was some general information," Taichi replied. "But aside from that, not much specifics. But ah... I guess that's good to know, that we're not stuck in one role."

[sendiintheclown]

"It's certainly helpful. That way you can avoid tasks that you find unpalatable or help out where you think it might be needed. We'll probably get one in about a week or so."

[showmeyourbraveheart]

"I'll be sure to remember that," Taichi said with a nod. "Is there anything else you think would be helpful to know about?"

[sendiintheclown]

"Has anyone filled you in on chores?"

[showmeyourbraveheart]

Taichi and Agumon's faces both scrunched up.

"Chores?" they said in unison.