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

Train!

[light_of_willpower]

Well, this new arrival was a bundle of energy! It brought a chuckle and smile to Trunks' face. "I think it's where the conductor is, which means we can't get to it. There's a wall in the car between us and anyone in charge. Don't try to breach it, others have tried and no one's succeeded so far, despite various attempts."

Re: Train!

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Sounds troublesome, so I probably won't give it a shot," Koumyou said cheerfully, taking a hip-lean against a nearby seat's back. "Although... now I'm a little curious!"

Re: Train!

[light_of_willpower]

"About what? Believe me, there are more than enough questions we don't have answers to, here."

Re: Train!

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Well... let's start with 'what happens when people try to breach the wall'? And also, 'why'?"

Koumyou ticked them off on his fingers.

"And the thing that's only totally natural to wonder... could I do it?"

Re: Train!

[light_of_willpower]

"Nothing, except the wall still stands there. We have people who can phase through walls and they can't get through it. Whatever it is, is at least made of the same stuff as the outer walls of the train since they can't phase through that either. It resists explosions, ki-blasts, magic... There doesn't seem to be anything we could use to pry it open or remove it mechanically with either."

Trunks hoped that covered what happened. "The 'why' is the question of the day, and your totally natural to wonder question is best answered with--please don't try. Depending on how you try, you might hurt someone--most likely yourself."

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Fascinating!" Oh, that didn't sound nor look like a man who had been discouraged. Far from it.

"Well, if I give it a shot I'll just do it when no one's near it!" And that was true enough, but not just for safety reasons. It was a little gauche to use the sutra around people without a good reason.

[light_of_willpower]

"Okay...." Trunks said doubtfully. "Well, how about this? You may not damage the wall, but it's extremely close to the kitchen stores, so you might damage our food supply. Which a lot of us will not take well."

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Less car bomb, more scalpel. Got it!"

Yes, that was the take-away here.

[light_of_willpower]

"How about, less scalpel too, and not doing anything." Trunks responded dryly with an eyebrow raise. Crossing his arms too.

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Where's the fun in that? I guess you should hope I get distracted on my way to it."

Telling Koumyou Sanzo 'no' is a good way to get a 'but have you considered 'yes'' from the priest.

[light_of_willpower]

"I suppose an outright appeal of 'please don't' won't work then?" Trunks all but sighed out. Really it wasn't his place to enforce, so he could worry, but that was all.

[its_dad_sanzo]

Koumyou considered, like this was a very serious conversation. Then-- "Maybe if you throw in a 'pretty pretty please with a cherry on top'?"

[light_of_willpower]

A hint of a smile. "How about just a basic "Please. Don't attack the wall, you might damage other things than it." Entirely seriously, but also slightly amused.

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Nope, that won't do! You gotta show you really mean it!"

Any chance to troll.

[light_of_willpower]

"I mean it. Please." Trunks was still entirely serious.

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Do you, though?" Koumyou didn't even try to hide the mischief in his expression or voice, "Do you really mean it?"

[light_of_willpower]

"I could just drop the 'please' entirely." Trunks raised an eyebrow.

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Do you suppose that would make any difference?" the priest asked, even more cheerfully. One could almost hear the 'heart' at the end of that.

[light_of_willpower]

"Honestly? No. I think you're going to do what you want, regardless. But it's not my place to tell you what or what not to do. That's why I'm trying to be polite and asking."

[its_dad_sanzo]

"Well, at least you can say you tried," Koumyou agreed cheerfully, and then... started to wander off.

As you do.

Was he going to go harass that wall? Only time would tell.