A New Platform [Intro Post December]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

It's only been a couple of days since the Voidtrecker Express took to the void once more, and many of the passengers are still recovering and recuperating after a very hectic end to their latest mission. Nevertheless, they are awoken by a familiar message.

"Good morning passengers, it is day sixteen of the month of Imagination. Points have been updated on the system."

They have indeed, and everyone can spend the morning shopping. Those who have been on the train for 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 the windows fill with the fog that means they are at a platform. It is warm outside with a pleasant breeze that flows down the platform, rustling the light spread of leaves that litter the floor.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing, walking silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Akemi Homura, Alfred the Poisoner, Donatello Versus, Chie Satonaka, Joscelin Fitzthomas, Ronan Lynch, Rose Tyler, Tangle the Lemur, Trowa Barton, Wester Mazaki and Whisper the Wolf all pass through the platform, not looking back before 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 swirling leaves at their feet, moving in flurries and rattling against each other softly. As their eyes adjust, they will see they are on a platform, cement and packed earth forming a very practical, plain-looking shelter. Behind them is a set of barriers, and in front of them is a single track extending both ways into thick fog.

They are standing, in clothes that are not their own and a style 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 eight 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's 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 lead to something terrible. 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 (see
'Publications'). The store rooms have been restocked with more jars of honey, the ingredient of the month of Imagination, as well as sundries.

A new carriage has been added right next to the luggage carriage. It is a second medical carriage, or triage carriage. Downstairs is more open with beds and chairs, upstairs are two surgical bays for those that need immediate attention.

For those intrigued by the claim of a parcel for every passenger they will find several large boxes filled with small blue bags. Inside each bag is ten dark blue coins imprinted on each side with a silver snowflake. Each bag has a small label with a passengers name. On the other side of the label it reads: Keep these safe for now.

Of course for any passengers that have bought items, these are also scattered around the luggage carriage as well.

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 taking advantage of the pleasant weather and the doors slide shut. Veteran passengers know what will happen next, but they may wish to brief their new companions.

The train sets off, the fog obscuring the view again 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

[consider8]

"I'm working on Della's leg. You might have remembered the message she put out a couple of days ago?" Yep, she's the one that got the commission.

She also saw the conversation about Senku working on it, which is why she was debating coming to him with the difficult part in the first place. In fact, how is his head doing today? She's not afraid to send him to bed...

[10billionpercent]

"Vaguely." He hadn't been at his most alert then. "I remember Airavata banning me from working on it." Senku commented dryly with a smile.

He was a lot more alert today and seemingly back to normal, he wasn't even particularly tired.

[consider8]

Eight chuckled. "I'm not about to have you break that promise... but..."

She raised the hydraulic component that was giving her trouble. "If you promise not to work on it I can show you what's causing me trouble."

There's nothing wrong with him looking...

[10billionpercent]

"I promise not to work on it." Senku said with a chuckle and approached to take a look.

"Show me where you're stuck." He didn't mind sharing information anyway, he rather enjoyed it.

[consider8]

Eight showed the small hydraulic system that had been causing her trouble. The system looked mostly functional, but... "It's a hydraulic joint for the knee. The pressure inside isn't staying consistent. It either loses too much pressure or locks up."

It was the last major obstacle in her path, and it was the most important one. She's not sure if Senku could figure something out without touching it, but she was open to his expertise.

[10billionpercent]

"The first thing I'd try is to consider the oil's viscosity, maybe it needs a bit of a blend to get it moving a little smoother." Senku said, without needing to touch it at all.

"Aside from that, check the wiring to make sure you don't have it snagged somewhere where it might be catching accidentally and causing sudden changes in the flow."

[consider8]

Hmm, that second point may have some merit, but as for the first point. "Um... it's not oil though. It's ink."

THREE GUESSES TO DETERMINE WHAT SHE IS USING FOR HYDRAULIC FLUID AND THE FIRST TWO DON'T COUNT.

[10billionpercent]

Admittedly, Senku was not actually expecting that.

"Ink and oil don't typically work the same so that could be your problem." He observed. "Or it could be a combination of both, you might still have to check the wiring to make sure it's not catching. Barring nothing else, the oil in the kitchen would work fine. Hydraulic fluid is typically 99% oil, but I'm not sure we have any additives."

[consider8]

In her world, most things are grounded in ink-based technology. This is primarily because the medium are their own bodies, and the ink tanks power and supply their own bodies. She wasn't as aware, but the systems of hydraulics was a complete augmentation rather than supplemental.

She nods, taking the words to heart. "Wouldn't the oil in the kitchen be a little too... unrefined?" Now that she was on board with replacing the liquid inside, her wheels are starting to turn and she has Senku to thank for it.

[10billionpercent]

"Mmm." He mused. "Shouldn't be. Vegetable oil can be used in hydraulics. If Airavata wants better performance, she'd need better oil with an additive, but we don't have that on hand. If we had access to train maintenance, you'd think we would be able to but..."

Senku shook his head. "She'd probably need more maintenance down the road, but it would work."

[consider8]

"We have to make do with what we have on hand." Eight sighed. "Well, it's better than not having a leg."

"I do have one question, though. Why do you call Della-Della Airavata?"

[10billionpercent]

"Ah, she asked me for a nickname." Senku explained. "That's what I came up with." He offered a grin and a shrug.

"And I typically stick with nicknames once people get them, a lot of the time, just ask the Mentalist."

[consider8]

Oh, that makes sense. And it sounds like he uses nicknames that amuse him.

Hmm...

"If you were to give me one, what would it be?" She wants veto power, Senku.

[10billionpercent]

That was a very astute observation, and since Della had asked, she too had veto power, but when he explained his intent, it was very acceptable.

"Kraken." Senku retorted with a bright grin. "You're not an octopus, but you resemble one and I suspect you're very strong and protective of your territory, whether that includes the people around here or just a place."

He didn't know if she'd like that or not, but it amused him well enough.

[consider8]

Eight laughed. "Funny you should call me that. There's a special weapon called the Kraken that would--" Wait. Wait wait. What.

Did he just say what she thought she heard him say? "What do you mean I'm not an octopus?? I AM an octopus!!"

She had never been so accidentally offended since boarding the train. But she's more hurt than angry.

[10billionpercent]

"Are you?" He asked, considering, as though he hadn't thought that was the part that would offend her.

"You don't look quite the same as those I'm familiar with." He admitted.

[consider8]

"That's because all you've seen me is in my human form!!" Oh cod. Has people been thinking she was human this whole time...? But then why would they give her such stares?

Maybe humans were just as inattentive to how different she looked like the Inklings?

[10billionpercent]

"Yeah, actually, I had no idea you had an actual octopus form." Senku admitted, but he isn't bothered by the idea. He was rather indifferent to how people looked anyway.

"Didn't mean any offense." He added, because he hadn't meant to.

[consider8]

"Hmpf!" Eight pouted. "Calling me not an octopus is like me calling you not a daikon. And Gen not a mochi." She's pretty sure she was wrong about Gen. And only 90% sure she's wrong about Senku. Still her pride was wounded and she wanted to retaliate in the most petty way possible.

[10billionpercent]

Senku has absolutely not heard that before. He's not heard it so much he rolled his eyes like the teenager he kind of wasn't.

"I'm sorry, Kraken, don't be mad at me for something I didn't know."

It was too bad if she wanted a veto, it might already be sticking.

[consider8]

"Fine." She whined. Her pride will heal, and the nickname wasn't that bad.

But feeling she has something to prove her body forms into a bright magenta sheen, like her hair. She reforms into a bothered looking octopus who climbs up onto the table and starts reaching for the ratchet to tighten some bolts.

[10billionpercent]

"Huh." Senku commented, watching her. "You're still very pink." He observed. "But you're definitely an ocotopus."

[consider8]

The octopus pulls the leg up near her, her tentacles much shorter than her arms. It starts to ratchet a bolt into place, turning to face Senku. "Alright, what color do you want me to be?"

[10billionpercent]

He looked a bit impressed by the question. "Are you saying you can change colour?" He asked getting closer to look at her octopus form. He wasn't rude enough to touch but he was curious.

"Pink's fine anyway, I don't have much in colour preferences."

[consider8]

Thank you for not touching, Senku, but she's still a little irritated. In a mildly passive-aggressive gesture the tone of her body turns into Senku's-hair-tips green, ratcheting the entire time.