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

[subcircuits]

"I wouldn't want it sugar-coated anyway," Devero says with a shrug. "I don't like it, but I need to know it--

"I'm sorry, what?"

[zechs_isonfire]

Zechs nodded. "Exactly my reaction. When you die, onboard the train itself or when on the missions it sends us on - instead of it being usual and permanent, you'll wake up in the luggage carriage."

His expression was bemused, as he shared honestly, "It's a perk, I suppose, considering how poorly we're equipped here."

[subcircuits]

He has to laugh, because the alternative would involve his temper and that's not acceptable. "A perk. Sure. They have to give us something in return for the abduction, why not immortality!"

[zechs_isonfire]

"When facing foes that fired laser projectiles and I was only using a sword," Zechs pointed out wryly, "it was comforting that my efforts would not be completely futile if I couldn't manage to avoid all of their fire."

[subcircuits]

This really just keeps getting better and better. He stares in blank-faced disbelief at the other man after that little revelation. "You had a sword? To fight--?" He can't even finish the statement.

[zechs_isonfire]

Zechs nodded, no amusement in his face whatsoever. "Exactly. Later, I learned that a device I borrowed provided ammunition from the gun - it was magic I'm unfamiliar with - but everything that I needed to rely on that mission was borrowed from other passengers. The train provided none of it."

[subcircuits]

"This is absurd," Devero states flatly. "This is-- this is a joke. This is a training sim without a win condition that I didn't consent to participate in and--" He looks away, up, and his voice raises. "--I want to log out!"

[zechs_isonfire]

After the new passenger ... shouted into the ether, getting that frustration out of his system, Zechs continued with the same, cool expression. He said dryly, "It seems, if this is a simulation, the administrators have no interest in listening to us."

[subcircuits]

After his outburst, Devero just puts his face into his hands for a moment. He cycles through an intentionally deep breath, then another two or three of them for good measure. At least he's more composed when he looks up again?

"Fantastic. I always wanted to be stuck in one of those VR horror streams, this is absolutely my idea of a great time."

He sighs and looks away. "I'm sorry. This is just. A lot."

[zechs_isonfire]

The apology, an admission that Devero was being rather ridiculous, made Zechs' displeasure soften. He nodded a little to him. "It is a lot. And it may take you time to adapt. You're not the only one who has find adjusting difficult."

Zechs let him have a moment more to digest things, and then told him, "The best we can do is adapt to the situation to the fullest extent of our abilities."

[subcircuits]

"You're right," Devero says, his voice subdued. He gives himself a little shake and stands straighter, and says it again with more certainty. "You're right. It is what it is and all we can do is move forward with what we have."

He turns to face Zechs directly. "I never introduced myself," he says, and makes a flicking gesture with one hand-- that freezes and falls an instant later. Transmission failed.

Oh.

"Uh. I'm Devero," he continues after an awkward pause.

[zechs_isonfire]

Zechs' eyebrows raised a little at the instinctive gesture of a device that didn't work here. A way to quickly email some sort of business card, personal profile link, social media page? Who even knew. And a moot point, considering Devero couldn't access it here.

"Zechs," he inclined his head slightly, polite and a little formal in the wake of that awkwardness. "It's a pleasure meeting you."

[subcircuits]

"The pleasure's mine," he returns, just as automatically polite and formal. He's frowning slightly, looking through his Interface and not at Zechs as he dismisses the notification with a flick of his hand.

He sighs. "This is going to take some getting used to."

[zechs_isonfire]

He nodded to that, and noted, mostly neutral, just a very hit of a dry tone there; "You'll need some practice remembering your device doesn't function as you're used to, without the internet."

[subcircuits]

Devero groans dramatically. "You don't have to tell me twice. That's going to be the worst part."

[zechs_isonfire]

Zechs as a bit too polite to say, 'You'll live', but it's on the tip of his tongue with a good deal of sarcasm.

Instead, he said plainly, "If you need additional assistance, I can point you in the right direction."

[subcircuits]

To his credit, Devero collects himself. Everything he's just learned from Zechs in this conversation is profoundly upsetting, but-- it also is what it is, and it's always better to move on and adapt than dwell on things that can't be changed. There'll be plenty of time in private for emotional processing.

"Thank you, Zechs," he says with a nod. "I appreciate it."

[zechs_isonfire]

"You're welcome," Zechs nodded back to him.