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

[firewalled]

"... Great. Cool. This is really adding up to be a great second lease on life, huh?"

Seriously, he survives a house fire and an evil supercomputer controlling his every move, only to get transported here? How is he supposed to do anything to make up for things?

"How long have you been stuck here?" he finally asks. Maybe he can get an estimate on how long he'll be kidnapped.

[fun_thementalist]

"I know. It's ... really not great at all. At least they try to keep us fairly comfortable here, but, it's certainly not what I would've asked for as a forced vacation," Gen told him with a bemused little look.

Gen tilted his head. "Well. For me? A couple of months. But, uh. A lot of people have been here longer, my friend."

[firewalled]

"A couple months? Jesus, how long have you heard of people getting stuck for?" A couple months already sounds like he might get stir crazy. He can't keep sitting around and just thinking about what he's going to do better, he wants to actually do!

[fun_thementalist]

Gen rubbed the back of his neck, then held out his hands as if anticipating needing to calm him down. "Err. Well. Over a year?"

"Which, I mean ..." Gen laughed a little nervously, "those people are on the, uh, extreme end of the scale. You know? Some people are only ever here a couple of weeks, but, um. That's ... also on the other extreme. Most seem to be ... somewhere in between that."

cw casual suicide mention

[firewalled]

"...None of those options really sound great to me," Rich muttered, a hand on his head. He's pretty sure he can feel a headache coming.

"I mean, I kinda got kidnapped from a hospital. If I don't get back, someone's gonna throw a fit and think I jumped from the window or something." With Rich, unfortunately, that was entirely possible, but details.

[fun_thementalist]

"Trust me, I'm in the same boat, my friend," Gen told him.

Though he winced at the possibility Rich suggested. "Well. Not really the discharge you'd want after your stay, I'm going to guess. Most doctors tend to suggest a lot of fresh air and sunshine after just about any sort of ailment, even a tricky splinter once they've removed it - and this train gives you exactly none of that."

[firewalled]

"Yeah, I don't know if they'd recommend the sunshine so much for the burns, but the fucked up brain? Probably could use some fresh air. Don't suppose we could crack open a window somewhere so I could at least get a breeze?"

If Rich is bothered joking about his possible ailments, he certainly doesn't show it.

[fun_thementalist]

"Sadly, no. And I wouldn't look out the windows, either. They're going to give you a big heckin headache. Do not recommend."

Gen didn't seem to look bothered by the subject of what Rich was talking about, either, rolling with it. Giving him a slightly appraising look. "There is a cinema carriage, and a library, and an art carriage, though. If you can't go outside, there's a lot you can do to take your mind off of things, my friend."

[firewalled]

"I've already got migraines on the regular. Pretty sure weird scenery isn't going to kill me."

Rich actually manages a small smile at that. "Yeah? That doesn't sound too bad. Is there somewhere I can get my hands on a guitar?"

[fun_thementalist]

Gen was about to tell him the bad news, but he remembered something, blinking. "I've only been in the music carriage a couple of times ... but I think I saw a guitar?"

He smiled at the angrier passenger - music hath soothed the savage etc etc, as far as he could remember. "Want to go investigate?"

[firewalled]

"That would be awesome, actually, if you don't mind! I haven't gotten my hands on an axe for months..."

Music has always been a soothing thing for Rich, as long as he could remember, so hearing a chance to play some of his own seems to change his mood instantly.

[fun_thementalist]

"Follow me, then," Gen told him, beckoning. "I'd enjoy hearing some live music, I admit! Not many concerts to be found when stuck in a train, you know."

[firewalled]

"Yeah, I imagine that'd be a pretty rare occurrence." Rich follows after, hands in his pockets. "I mean, not that you should expect high art from me... I'm not performance marterial."

Especially when he's so out of practice!

[fun_thementalist]

Gen giggled at him, and explained, "You really should consider that hunger is the best spice, even when the dish is imperfect. If you follow the analogy, my friend."

[firewalled]

Rich snorts and shakes his head. "No, I follow. I definitely follow. I guess I'll just hope you're starving."

His fingers are twitching by his side, though, as he recalls chords and melodies.

[fun_thementalist]

"I think most people on the train are. Compared to some people, I've barely been here too long at all," Gen said, glancing at Rich, considering. "Were you a performer, once, in your reality?"

[firewalled]

"Uh, not much of one. My mom was, though, when she was younger. Still saw her sing in coffee shops and stuff once in a while. She taught me a lot."

[fun_thementalist]

That was a very sweet memory, and almost certainly meant that music was something very precious to Rich. So, he wouldn't make light of it.

Instead, he brightly pointed out, "Well, given the time we spend traveling - you'll have a lot of time to practice and refine your musical talent, my friend. Certainly a lot better than being bored - and you'll be bringing a lot of needed cheer to a lot of us."

[firewalled]

Music is one of the most precious things Rich has, and it's clear how much talking about it seems to be cheering him up. Especially once Gen mentions others might actually appreciate it.

"You think people will want to listen? That'd be... really cool, honestly. Good thing I don't get stage fright, I guess."

[fun_thementalist]

"I don't see why not!" Gen told him, all enthusiasm and cheer.

Beneath all of that, he's thinking and considering. Real music could do a lot to lift people's spirits. And also ...

"You could even play for tips!" Gen suggested. "Though, I think most people can only really tip with candy ..."

[firewalled]

Rich is still genuinely surprised by the reaction. He doesn't know how dire things are on the train yet, but he thought music wouldn't be so much of a necessity.

Still, he has to admit he's intrigued.

"People'll tip candy? Now I gotta try this."

[fun_thementalist]

Gen shrugged, a playful little grin on his face. "Well, I can't say for certain, since I don't play an instrument myself. But I don't see why not! People pay the lady spider for her work in candy, why not a musician? It's not as if we have money to spare, unfortunately."

[firewalled]

"Well, I guess it's something! And it'll give me practice when I get shipped back home and have to busk on the streets for a living."

Not that he'll be out of the hospital any time soon, but... well, he doesn't want to head back to his dad's after.

[fun_thementalist]

"That's the spirit!" Gen said cheerfully. "And who knows, maybe with enough practice on the train, you'll get good enough to have an album pick you up. Or at least get big on the internet."

[firewalled]

"Ha, now you're just getting into wishful thinking. I'm pretty sure I don't have that level of star appeal. And I'd need a ton of plastic surgery for these bad boys." Rich points to his scars with a little smirk.