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

[its_dad_sanzo]

"You mean, do I think I could figure out a way to do it?"

Koumyou considered for a second, and then shrugged.

"Maybe? I'm pretty lazy, though."

[10billionpercent]

"Hm. You're not the least bit curious?" It was maybe that, more than anything else, that confused Senku. A lot of people were like that, they accepted things as they were, as they appeared and for him it was never enough.

[its_dad_sanzo]

Koumyou laughed at that, "I learned a long time ago to let things go if they're too troublesome, that's all."

Not that it had mattered, in the end.

"What sort of thing would you have me try?"

[10billionpercent]

"That's a good question that I can't answer because I don't have the scope of knowledge that you do about chi. The concept in my world is linked to a religion certainly, and to some martial arts, but not magic so I can't say what you can do."

Senku exhaled. "I never was much into religion so, I'll admit I didn't spend much time studying it."

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Well, I am a priest, so I suppose that makes some sense."

The link, and all.

"And I haven't met any non-monks who use their chi, though everyone has it in them. The years of training is something of a barrier, I suppose."

[10billionpercent]

"I'd rather have spent my years studying science." Senku snorted lightly. "It's my opinion that the divine don't exist in my world, so I'm not terribly afraid of the repercussions of being a non-believer."

[its_dad_sanzo]

"...There's repercussions?"

Look, he hadn't said what kind of priest he was, had he?

[10billionpercent]

"Depends on what brand of faith you believe in." Senku answered. "But many of them believe if you aren't a follower, you might be condemned for all eternity after your death. Eternal hellfire, and all that. Sounds like nonsense to me."

[its_dad_sanzo]

"What I believe in is questionable," Koumyou admitted, because it wasn't his job to be a pillar of faith, despite his rank.

"But I don't think the cycle of reincarnation much cares about what we believe in. And I have little patience for anyone who thinks faith will save them from harsh reality... or that a lack of it has anything to do with someone else's fate."

[10billionpercent]

"A perspective I can respect." Senku answered, although really, he was respectful of other's beliefs for the most part. He didn't tell them they were wrong, he just didn't agree. Ultimately, none of them could really know.

"I wasn't asking you what you believe exactly, that's your business." He pointed out. "Reincarnation is also a popular one, among the world religions in my world."

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Well, I'm a Buddhist priest, but in my experience that doesn't always mean someone with views like mine."

To say the least.

"Using chi has nothing to do with all of that, though. It's just focus, and skill."

[10billionpercent]

"One of the religions I've had somewhat more exposure to, there's a lot of that baked into Japanese society." Senku answered. "Hm. But takes years of study to accomplish the magic. That sounds true, but I'm not sure I want to spend years studying magic."

[its_dad_sanzo]

"And martial arts! Can't tap your own life force without the physical discipline."

Which was part of why everyone who used it actively on his world tended to be monks. Who else had time for all that? Not farmers and merchants, that was for sure.

"Just as well, because I'm really not a teacher."

[10billionpercent]

He groaned and let out a sardonic laugh. "Your magic is definitely not for me then, I can't do physical activity at all." He waved his hand a little bit dismissively.

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Just as well, just as well!" Koumyou couldn't be more cheerful about that, relieved he wouldn't have to dodge requests for instruction.

If it wasn't folding orange paper airplanes, then he just wasn't suited to teach.

"So how much science is there where you're from? We have planes and trains and automobiles, just not in my part of the world."

[10billionpercent]

"Probably the biggest advancement in the modern world was space travel." Senku answered, which was personally his favourite.

"But civilization ended 3700 years ago or so, when all the humans were petrified, so at the moment the level of technology depends on the application. We don't have planes or trains, but we do have a car, and a hot air balloon, and a full sized ship."

[its_dad_sanzo]

"...All the humans were petrified?"

What?

"By... science?"

[10billionpercent]

"It's not technology I understand yet." Senku answered. "But yes, it's scientific, it follows scientific principles. Where it came from, who sent it and the details of the Medusa are not yet understood."

He considered his thoughts for a moment. "And the solution that we use to break free of the petrification, is definitely science based."

[its_dad_sanzo]

"I can lock down someone's movements with chi," Koumyou said with some thought, "but it would wear off when I left. I can't imagine something that could do it to a whole species..."

[10billionpercent]

"Ah, I don't mean a metaphorical petrification where they just can't move, they've actually turned into stone statues." Senku explained easily enough. "And remained that way until I broke free 3719 years later. From there, I've been moving to bring humanity's technology level back to space travel as fast as I can."

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Well, there's something I probably can't do with chi!" Koumyou was awfully cheerful about it, of course. "Though I know someone who could probably figure out a way. Maaah, I'm just not that clever."

'Clever'. That was one way to describe Ukoku Sanzo.

"How did you break free?"

[10billionpercent]

"Oh, that's interesting actually! Because I remained conscious and thinking the entire time, I generated a ton of energy of course, and that mixed with nitric acid was enough to cause my petrification to break on its own. The next person also did it himself, six months later, but then again Taiju doesn't think that much."

It was both a teasing swipe at his best friend, but also it was true. "After that when I experimented, I had to take into account the fact that most people are in something of a cold sleep and are completely unaware of time passing, and also aren't generating energy."

[its_dad_sanzo]

"...That's an awfully long time to be conscious. Are you pulling my leg?"

This had to be jokes, right?

[10billionpercent]

"Not at all, I had to keep count. How else would I know the date?"

Senku paused. "I got to 117,354,893,870 seconds."

[its_dad_sanzo]

"So are you completely crazy, or just mostly?"

Ha ha only serious.

Mortals minds just weren't meant to run that long. Something had to have broken in there, if this guy was telling the truth.