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

[lucklessgege]

He turns towards the voice and offers a little bow in greeting. "I look forward to seeing where it takes us. I've never seen anything quite like it before."

Xie Lian studies the man's outfit, noticing the robes. He misses his own clothing, not used to the strange attire he has been placed in.

[achickenformylove]

At the bow, WangJi clasped his hands and bowed back to him. "It is quite surprising at first. There is a lot to get used to on the train, but there are many who will be willing to assist you if you are familiar."

[lucklessgege]

"I will appreciate all the help. It looks like there are quite a few people who travel on it."

He glances around at the busy platform.

[achickenformylove]

"There are. There are seven cars each with five cabins. Each cabin has the potential to house four people. I know not all of them are full at the moment."

But it was an idea of how many people could be on the train.

"My name is Lan WangJi."

[lucklessgege]

"That is quite a lot!"

Xie Lian is impressed by the size of it. So many people from different places.

"My name is Xie Lian. It is nice to meet you. Have you been on this trip for long?"

[achickenformylove]

He nodded. "It is. People come and go at different times. We are not sure what triggers them to leave."

"A pleasure. It has been close to 5 months now since I arrived."

[lucklessgege]

"Ah that isn't too long then." Time is..strange..when one has been alive as long as Xie Lian has been. Five months is barely anything. If that is how long this trip will be it will hardly be a footnote in his book.

[achickenformylove]

"No, that is not long. There are others who have been here longer than I, but I do not know who has been here the longest."

Five months was longer for him than Xie Lian. However, five months was still nothing compared to the amount of time he had had to wait for WuXian.

[lucklessgege]

"So there isn't a set time for how long we are on this trip? I wonder how it is determined.." Because even though he doesn't have anything pressing that he will be missing back home, there are some that will probably notice his absence.

[achickenformylove]

"There does not seem to be. I, my partner, and my son have all been on the train, left, and returned. My partner left and returned the same day, seeing himself leaving."

[lucklessgege]

"He..watched himself leave?" That is terribly strange and complicated. This train is growing increasingly more curious by the moment.

"Are there many from your home here?"

[achickenformylove]

"Yes. It was quite strange. I watched him depart with my own eyes and then there he was with other new arrivals." The train was very curious. WangJi often wondered about it.

"There are more than ten at this moment."

[lucklessgege]

"So many!" Xie Lian looks at him in surprise. If that many of the gods showed up then the world definitely would be in trouble. Losing one scrap god for a brief period could hardly be considered a loss.

"At least you don't have to worry about being lonely."

[achickenformylove]

"Yes, that good. There are many I consider friends here. Both from my world and those I have met here."

"You are not alone either?" Since it looked like he knew another person.

[lucklessgege]

He smiles since he also is lucky enough to have arrived with a friend. For once a little piece of good fortune in his favor. "San Lang is also from my world. I'm glad to be able to take this trip with someone I know as well."

Especially that someone. It eases some of the hurt from their last moments together on their world.

[achickenformylove]

"That is good. Being here with someone that you know does make the time on the train easier." Someone you could talk to, who knew you and you knew them.

"Do you have any questions?"

[lucklessgege]

"I have many questions, but I'm sure some would be answered on their own once I am on the train. I hope I could bother you in the future though if I have some that do go unanswered."

He doesn't want to take up someone's time for things he could figure out on his own.

[achickenformylove]

He nodded his head once. "If you have unanswered questions, I can try to answer them. You are welcome to seek me out."

[lucklessgege]

"I appreciate that. I look forward to our future conversations."

Xie Lian knows that information is important to any mission and being able to process how to proceed. "Ah! Perhaps I should go ahead and ask if there is anything important I should do first upon entering the train."

[achickenformylove]

"If you would like some tea, the dining room is towards the front of the train. You may also want to find your cabin to put your bag down so you do not have to carry it. If you have an interest such as music or gardening, there are cars dedicated to that. I would say there is a library, but it is a poor example of one."

[lucklessgege]

"Ah thank you. Those are all very good things to know. It is a shame about the library though."

He finds it impressive that there are so many interesting sounding cars on the train. he looks forward to exploring all of them.

[achickenformylove]

"It is. We are trying to improve it."

There was certainly a lot to do on this train. It just was in a rather strange environment.

[lucklessgege]

"Perhaps I can help. How does one contribute to it?" Since he didn't bring any scrolls from his world he doesn't have much to offer. Perhaps he could remember enough history to write some stuff down but he would hardly be an expert.

[achickenformylove]

"The easiest would be when you have the points, requesting something from the train to be added to the library. If you had the paper and writing implements, you could likely add one of your own to the library."

Of course, there was also time... but there was always time on the train...

[lucklessgege]

"I see...I will try to do my part to help it in some way. I'm sure I could figure out something. Though I imagine I don't really have any points to spend for awhile."

He imagines that is the currency of the train and that he will have to work to earn it like anywhere else. He wonders if his busking skills will come to good use here.