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

[reluctantjinrou]

"I wouldn't know, this is my first time being kidnapped to a strange world." Natsuno commented dryly.

"The mission wasn't too bad, it got us off the train for awhile."

[showmeyourbraveheart]

Taichi nodded. "And... what was this 'mission' like? Did you have to fight something, or what?"

[reluctantjinrou]

"My team did. We also brought crystals up a volcano for recharging. There were wolves to keep at bay." Natsuno explained. "But I'm on the Red team. It doesn't matter what team you go with apparently, you can pick."

[showmeyourbraveheart]

Blink.

"So why put us in these different colors to begin with?" he asked.

[reluctantjinrou]

"I don't know. We get given the clothes, I don't think the people here decided what team to be on, it was decided for them. What I do know is that if you're not keen on fighting, Orange team seems to fight the least."

At least, over the month he'd been there, Natsuno had learned a thing or two.

[showmeyourbraveheart]

"... Fight the least, huh?" Taichi wasn't sure about that. He looked at Agumon, and then back at Natsuno.

"I can't say we like fighting, but... I think that's something we'd be more likely to be picked out to do..."

[reluctantjinrou]

"I'm trying to learn, but it's not going very well." Natsuno murmured. Mostly, because he was trying to teach himself which definitely did not work when it came to combat skills.

[showmeyourbraveheart]

"Well, uhm... keep trying?" Taichi suggested. He wasn't sure what to say to that.

"So, uh. Is there anything else I should probably know...?"

[reluctantjinrou]

"Let me think. Teams. Kidnapped. Stuck here. No not really." Natsuno almost smirked slightly. Almost.

"Your ticket has a room, you have three people sharing with you probably. There's no privacy around here seems like, and we spend at least a couple of weeks on the train at a time."

[showmeyourbraveheart]

Taichi sighed. "That sounds... absolutely perfect," he said, shaking his head. "Is there at least a complaint department?"

He didn't expect a serious answer to that, but might as well ask anyway.

[reluctantjinrou]

"Not one that seems to care about what we think. You can leave messages for the train, but I haven't bothered. All of the people are fellow kidnapped victims." He pointed out. "No one seems to be the one kidnapping people."

[showmeyourbraveheart]

"So again, it's the train itself doing it," Taichi said. "Yeah, that makes about as much sense as anything."

That sounded less like sarcasm and more like Taichi was just resigning himself to the fact.

[reluctantjinrou]

"I don't know who controls the train, or if it is the train, but really, it's kind of a pain." He admitted. "For the meantime I guess we're just stuck, but I did see a spa on my way out here. That's new."

[showmeyourbraveheart]

"A spa?!" Taichi exclaimed. "On a train? How is that even possible!?"

Agumon, however, looked interested. "Ohhhhh! What other kinds of cars are there?!" he asked.

[reluctantjinrou]

"It seems a little small, but it's fine." He gestured. "Do you want me to show you?" He figured he'd offer.

Natsuno hummed a bit, giving it a moment's thought. "There's a kitchen car, and a luggage car, a library, a cinema, two different gyms, a greenhouse...there's a wide variety of cars really."

[showmeyourbraveheart]

"I... I think I'll pass for now," he said. "I'll try to check it out myself later, I guess."

Agumon's eyes lit up. "Wow! This train sounds really fun!"

[reluctantjinrou]

"Sure, take your time." Natsuno commented. "You'll have enough of it."

He paused and then decided to be somewhat nicer. "It's not that bad. You can have fun here."

[showmeyourbraveheart]

Agumon nodded, and tugged at the leg of Taichi's pants. "Taichi! We can visit the kitchen car later, right?!"

Taichi blinked, and then laughed. "Uh, sure, buddy," he said. Agumon was, as always, the same as ever.