voidtreckerexpress | A New Platform [Intro Post December]

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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!

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He breaks free from the trance of his own paranoia long enough to catch both attacks - Tidus's threats, however serious he might be about them, and more importantly, Senku's panicked breaths, sounding like he's never heard him before. Roland shakes his head in small motions, before he does what has been asked of him: he lets Senku's wrists go, watches them both as he takes a step back to assess what he's done.

"I...I'm sorry."

But this is not the end of it, not even in apology. Even as he means it, gaze shifting between the two of them. When it seems like he is at a loss for what else to say, lips agape and his gaze falling low, Roland turns his back to both of them and looks to be walking out of the train by the nearest exit.

Except he doesn't. His hand drifts to the automatic button, and it closes firmly shut. From there, he doesn't budge. Doesn't face them, doesn't move. But he isn't hiding. He's finding his conviction. He needs them to understand, how, how can he say it-

"Senku." Roland says as steadily as one can be, his body still blocking the doors. "Your SCA. Please wear it before you go down." A beat. And then, "Don't ever leave the train without it." This is where he waits for his own request to be fulfilled. Senku should be wrapping his SCA around his wrist by now, and Roland watches from the corner of his eye, fully expecting the said item to come out of his pocket, his hammerspace, anywhere, it doesn't matter. He just needs to put it on.

That Tidus intervenes is a help because Senku had been feeling helpless in that moment. He couldn't fight Roland, not really. He knew that, and yet when he's released Roland might have backed off, but not nearly as much as Senku did, putting space between them.

He felt...no it didn't matter. He had the urge to squirm out of his skin which he hated, but he squashed it down. A long, slow, deep breath as he compartmentalized. "You have my attention." Senku was just going to ignore it for now, but his tone is a bit more deadpan as though he didn't lose his temper or he didn't feel upset or overwhelmed. He was hiding behind his facade of calm, rational person.

"There's no point in that." Senku responded evenly, outwardly calm no matter how chaotic he felt. "It's broken."

Tidus takes a mental sigh of relief, and also an actual step back He could get between the pair as a precaution, but he picks a spot that gives Senku more room, puts his back to the rest of the train, but keeps him near Roland, if he needs to move in quick.

And what? To stop him? His mind is thrumming with confusion, this situation they're in. What's even going on...?

But he doesn't speak, not after the request made. Feeling like a moderator between the two, or more so for Roland than Senku. Lips pressed in a tight line, until-

'It's broken.'

"It's broken?" Tidus repeats, eyes widening. He may have seen those empty wrists, but not really taken in their meaning until now. "When? --The mission?"

When? It had to be right at the end, right? Or- did something happen on the train?

Roland can only react as naturally as it comes. He sighs so deeply, he feels it in his bones. His fingers begin to massage the bridge of his nose in an attempt to lessen the tension crawling up to his temples, whether from the lack of sleep or the restlessness of his never-ending thoughts. He hasn't been the same since that day, and hearing about Senku's broken SCA seemed to bring it all back up to the dirty surface.

But he is worried first and foremost. Even if his actions don't seem to reflect such a feeling, not right now. Roland lets Tidus ask the questions, because for Roland it won't really matter. Senku experiments so often, maybe he just broke it like that? He stays silent, but there's a flurry of movement by his corner, blocking the exit of the train. It's revealed soon; he removes his own SCA, wrist free from the device, and offers it with an extended hand to Senku, not quite bridging the distance. Learning from that mistake.

Though he's charged, almost frantic in nature. Unlike him, not the same man, no not since -

"Take mine, then." Roland says quickly, a shake of the SCA twice for emphasis. "Wear it. Just don't go out of this train without the watch." If Senku pauses, if there is room for hesitation, Roland's expression falls even deeper. "Please."

Edited 2020-12-06 17:36 (UTC)

"It's fine, I don't need to go out right now." Senku answered, shaking his head. The truth was he was too unsettled at the moment but finding some outlet for that wasn't constructive and he was an adult, a childish reaction wasn't going to solve anything.

"Yeah, on the mission. I took it off, but it got damage when the control station exploded a bit." It got damaged, he got damaged, it was less than ideal.

"It wasn't a big deal, from what I can tell it was regulating the humidity a bit, and acting as a translator. Fortunately a lot of people speak languages I understand." He wasn't privvy to Roland's knowledge.

It's the same like before, or some kind of familiar ghost. Tidus watches Roland offer his own SCA and thinks that he's crazy. A reaction he can't help, and he wants to keep them both inside now.

--and that's before he hears what Senku did, throwing him a look after 'I took it off' registers in his ears, bewildered and with words behind his teeth. But he chews them down instead, waiting. Letting Senku speak until he does.

"Yeah well, you were lucky." And he's ready to speak and explain, but he holds, pauses. Arms folding tighter around his abdomen, a glance taken aside. Shame bringing his words down a sombre note.

"...When I took mine off on a platform, I could barely breathe, and-- and it was like I was getting crushed. Pushed down."

A beat, and he adds just as uncomfortably, as avoidant of any eye, "That isn't a me thing."

Hearing that from Tidus, it doesn't help how he reacts to the state of things. He retracts the hand holding his SCA, but Roland doesn't put it back on his wrist. Instead, he stares hard at it, as if it's done him some great offense. He shakes his head, gripping the device tight.

He wonders if he should have kept his words to himself, but at the state they find him, he has little patience for his own inner thoughts.

"Of course that's what happens when you leave without your SCA on," He says eventually, his voice dangerously sharp even as he keeps it neutral and steady. Like he's shaking in control, grasping at an understanding privy only to himself.

Roland betrays his own self-control. What does it matter, in the end? They all had to know. Tidus, too...

"It's more like it's an us thing, now." Roland eventually finishes, weaker than when he begins. He turns to them with a defeated expression, uncharacteristic of a man so usually confident in his actions. When he watches Senku and Tidus, he doesn't just see fellow passengers anymore. He sees people he's somehow betrayed with his own carelessness, and victims of a train that's stripped them of their agency.

"There's a reason this thing won't let us take it off, regardless of who we are, when we're on missions. And why it's okay to be without it when we're inside." He stuffs his own SCA into his pocket and bites against his cheek. Readying himself, allowing his tongue to get used to the taste of the truth he needs to say.

"That isn't what happened when I took mine off. I wonder what the difference is." Senku mused, a bit lost in thought at that because he was easily distracted by mystery questions, it was in his nature.

Based on the number of people who yelled at him, it seemed unlikely anyone would let him conduct an experiment anytime soon. He might have to try another time, secretly.

"What do you mean?" He asked, glancing at Roland again because obviously there was information he was missing.

The way Roland speaks doesn't go unnoticed by Tidus, looking over at him from the first sharp note. But he's confused for another reason, why his brow comes in, his mouth frowning. Whys and experiments put aside with the way that Roland talks.

"Well, yeah- the SCA has always been an us thing," he says slow, like he's trying to follow what Roland's saying. That is what he's referring to, right? "It's 'cause it does something to the atmosphere, or..." he waves a hand. "Keeps us protected. They work better when you're close to someone. It was doing that on Blue mission, in Irivar."

"You'd think that, wouldn't you? That it's just that simple. I wish it was."

The white noise returns, crowding his thoughts. As much as he wills it away, he can't forget it. The touch of her hand as she slowly fades, the request she asks of them, the revelation of their fate. When Roland turns to them both, a darkness colors his visage. There is a heaviness about him that is uncharacteristic, but born of the same fears he's held about why this train takes and takes without giving any answers. Now, now he knows. And now, Tidus and Senku will know too.

Tidus has to know, most of all. Doesn't he?

Roland swallows down a frog caught in his throat. Then, in a flash of gold light that both will recognize, the void radio bought previously comes out of his hand. The one he took at his shift on the jungle planet, though now, the way he grips it seems possessive. Offered just to show them, but he doesn't seem to want to give it back, or to let it go.

"We're not contacting the ministry anymore. Or sending out signals. Or listening to any more signs." Or leaving messages in bottles, you fool, you idiot- Roland shakes his head. "The risk outweighs it all. Five of us from the mission received intel that the ministry isn't exactly friendly to anomalies, or things they don't understand. So if they catch us, there's nothing stopping them from doing more than just a routine inspection. They could - they could dismantle the train, if they wanted to."

What hardened gaze he throws their way falls somewhere in between the spaces of both men. However, it's Tidus's eye he can't seem to catch for more than a second. Ashamed to disappoint someone he promised he would protect.

"...If the train is damaged beyond repair, we all go with it. We all...disappear. Just like her. The woman we tried to save that day. So you have to wear your SCA at all times, okay? When you're off of this thing, you have to wear it so you know when it's trying to tell you something's wrong. So it can protect you." Because it needs to protect itself.

This, he throws to Senku. But he knows whose eyes are heaviest on him. Still, they had to know. They had to know all the consequences that came with this gamble.

Senku was quiet while he was parsing what Roland was saying, listening to him and considering it. He can't quite read his mood, he is getting a freaked out vibe from him, maybe but he's not the best at guessing, really.

"I get what you're saying." Senku said softly. "That you think the train is trying to protect me. I think, just at the outset, that we had different experiences warrents a bit of thinking on. I'm not sure the SCA works like we think it does." That was the first point. Mentally, he added, that he didn't want the train's protection.

"If they're our enemy it's even more vitally important that we listen. After all, intelligence and communication is humanity's greatest weapon." He exhaled.

"What are our options outside of the ministry then?" He kept his tone soft.

"Roland. I get that this is...not great news, but we're still tethered to a thing against our wills."

Edited 2020-12-19 00:03 (UTC)

Tidus is ready to speak, words caught on his tongue. Objections to them stopping their plans, all of them - it's not like they don't realise the risks. The possibilities. They were willing to make them, since what else did that have? What other leads or avenues.

But Roland talks about disappearing, and the urge to speak is stifled, briefly. No less of a storm confusion inside his head, with everything just- not making sense. Roland's sudden reluctance.

"And what do you mean about disappearing anyway? Disappear where?" He asks it, a sound of exasperation- or just his inability to follow - following it afterwards. "If we're stuck to this train, then we need to find leads to get off it! We need to do something."

His words are more pushing than loud, a hush in his lowered volume.

"We can't just give up trying to get out of this."

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A New Platform [Intro Post December]

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