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

[flatteries]

".. Hmm. That's right, people do need to hear that kind of thing. And it's important to say it too, while you still can."

He's just about the biggest hypocrite for saying this. He knows it. But how could he not at least pass on that advice to someone else, even if it may be too late right now?

Then again, if Adam and Ronan knew each other before the train, maybe they do still have a chance.

"If you're able to say it at all once you get home.." Despite all those dangerous circumstances, that is. ".. then you should. For sure."

[forleaving]

"I will."

It would be one of the first things he did, depending on the situation that greeted him when he got home. The idea that he might never get a chance to tell Ronan before something awful happened was a terrible one. He'd thought things were settling down in their lives, that they had all the time in the world to figure things out and become who they were supposed to be. He'd been proven wrong. Everything was in peril and he was tired of it. He was just so tired, full stop.

"And then tackle all of the problems there. Somehow."

[flatteries]

Well, if that isn't a familiar sentiment either.

"Got a lot of those?"

Despite the heavy topic, Inigo smiles a bit as he says it, like he's telling a joke. It's just a way to make this a little lighter.

"That's rough. But at least you'll be together. Experience has taught me that that makes everything a bit better, no matter the circumstances."

[forleaving]

"From the sounds of things, yeah." He sighed. "We've been through a lot together, though. We'll be able to handle this."

Except he wasn't sure they could. He could act confident to strangers and pretend everything would be under control, but he didn't know how they were going to stop the people after Ronan. There had to be a way, of course, he just hadn't been able to figure it out yet. This wasn't as simple as blackmailing a teacher.

[flatteries]

"I get it. You've beaten pretty bad odds together before, from the sound of it."

But that's a good thing, isn't it? It means that Adam and Ronan still have a shot. It's not over until it's over.

"But trust me, no matter how bad a situation seems, there's always a way out. Sometimes it's just hard to think of what it is."

[forleaving]

"We have. And I try to remind myself of that," he said, taking a deep breath. That there was always an alternative, a way out of a bad situation. He just took it very seriously when it came down to something like Ronan's well being. Adam'd had enough of his friends getting hurt or dying.

"Thank you." For the positive reassurance.

[flatteries]

Inigo smiles, then shrugs a little.

"Hey, no need to thank me."

Even if he may not know Adam all that well, how could he just ignore a guy when he's sitting around looking so sad and worried? That's just not Inigo's style at all, so he easily shrugs off the thanks.

"We all have to look out for each other in this place, even if it means just listening to someone when they're feeling bad. I'm sure you'll pay it forward by helping out someone else once you may feel a bit better."

[forleaving]

There was plenty of reason to thank Inigo. He hadn't had to take time out of his day to talk to someone who was having a rough time or even to say some nice things. Adam appreciated it, even if he still felt pretty awful about Ronan leaving. He at least felt better about their chances back home.

"I will," he promised. "I'll always do what I can to help people." He was reminded of the Crying Club, the friends he'd gathered at Harvard who hadn't had anyone else until he'd come along.