voidtreckermods: (voidtrain)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] voidtreckerexpress2020-12-01 06:00 am

A New Platform [Intro Post December]

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!
comefadeaway: (Hopeful)

[personal profile] comefadeaway 2020-12-02 04:27 am (UTC)(link)
"That's right. That's the kind of training I have. My skills are ranged, otherwise." Yoite explained.
its_dad_sanzo: (mouth)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2020-12-02 04:34 am (UTC)(link)
Koumyou looked up again to speak, zipping the suitcase closed again. "Right, the... explody thing you mentioned. Did you use that on the mission?"

After all, it definitely had its price.
comefadeaway: (Default)

[personal profile] comefadeaway 2020-12-02 06:04 am (UTC)(link)
"I did." Yoite nodded. It was how he fought primarily, after all, it was in his instincts to use it.

"It wasn't terribly useful against robots." He admitted with a bit of a frown.
its_dad_sanzo: Burial-era (sup)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2020-12-02 06:07 am (UTC)(link)
"I can imagine," robots, after all, didn't have blood. Other liquids, sometimes, but not blood. And unless an exploding cooling loop caused a big enough short...

"Well, next time maybe it'll be squishier targets."

They can hope, right?
comefadeaway: (Hopeful)

[personal profile] comefadeaway 2020-12-02 06:59 am (UTC)(link)
"That would be a lot more helpful." Yoite admitted with a nod. Squishy targets could be destroyed with forbidden techniques, unlike robots.

"I will have to hone my skills a bit more." He kind of coasted on his technique a bit.
its_dad_sanzo: Burial-era (well it's not that bad)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2020-12-02 12:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh hey, here was a little package with his name on it, too. Just gonna unzip the suitcase for a second and slip the smaller parcel in, then zip it all back up and stand it up to carry.

Koumyou looked up to reply, again. Yoite wasn't the first person he'd ever dealt with with hearing problems.

"How would you fight those robots with little knives? Go for the joints between plates and hope you could hit something important?"
comefadeaway: (Hmm?)

[personal profile] comefadeaway 2020-12-03 01:28 am (UTC)(link)
"I don't even know where to start." He said honestly. "I have to think about it. I'm not feeling that well yet."

Yoite had lost a lot of blood, he probably needed more time in medical than he wanted to spend.
its_dad_sanzo: Burial-era (just might be a dick joke)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2020-12-03 02:02 am (UTC)(link)
"Ohh? Well, there's plenty of time, I should think. Even if the next mission involved robots again, I've heard they're only once a month or so."

So, weeks at the least, but probably more than that. The odds of more robots a second time in a row, in an infinite multiverse, were probably reasonably low.

"Not feeling well -- were you someone who was evacuated? I heard about that. From the big fight at base camp, right?"
comefadeaway: (Default)

[personal profile] comefadeaway 2020-12-03 10:19 am (UTC)(link)
"That's right." Yoite nodded. "I was in the battle and then I woke up in medical so I think that's what happened."

It was, but he missed it. "Someone might know how to fight robots better." He admitted. Maybe he could ask around, if he worked up the courage to do that.
its_dad_sanzo: (serene)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2020-12-03 02:40 pm (UTC)(link)
"Mmm... well, I saw a few people use swords!" Koumyou offered, after having to think about it for a second. His own methods weren't universal, after all, at least not without years of training. "There was an elf guy and uh, Roland! Have you met Roland yet? He's very sweet."
comefadeaway: (Hmm?)

[personal profile] comefadeaway 2020-12-04 12:47 am (UTC)(link)
He thought about the question for a moment and nodded. "Yes. He was making coffee." Yoite didn't know if that made him sweet, but it was a nice gesture all the same.

"I've never used a sword either." He wasn't trained that way.
its_dad_sanzo: Burial-era (smiling super dork)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2020-12-04 12:51 am (UTC)(link)
"Well... since he was using a bladed weapon against the robots, maybe he can help you figure out how to use your knives against one?" That was the idea Koumyou was driving at, anyway!

"You know, in case it ever comes up again."
comefadeaway: (Sideview)

[personal profile] comefadeaway 2020-12-04 12:53 am (UTC)(link)
"That isn't a bad idea, actually." Yoite admitted with a bit of a nod.

"It would be good to have a robot plan." It felt a little surreal to say that, he didn't really know anything about robots.
its_dad_sanzo: Burial-era (just might be a dick joke)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2020-12-05 12:14 am (UTC)(link)
"There you go, then," Koumyou said cheerfully, picking up his suitcase to go. "I give good advice, sometimes! Just don't tell anyone, okay?"
comefadeaway: (Hopeful)

[personal profile] comefadeaway 2020-12-05 09:25 pm (UTC)(link)
Yoite smiled slightly at that. "Your secret is safe with me." He assured Koumyou lightly.

"I appreciate the advice all the same."
its_dad_sanzo: (the moon greets the rising sun)

[personal profile] its_dad_sanzo 2020-12-05 10:07 pm (UTC)(link)
Koumyou gave his usual parting, finger-wiggling wave, and left to go change into some proper god damned clothes.