voidtreckerexpress | 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!

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Given how the last mission had gone, Nita let herself go with that feeling and ask:

"So... you want to learn a better way to fight? Or defend people?"

Nita could understand that - a lot, even - but if Yugi wanted suggestions, then his answer would make a difference in terms of what she could offer.

"Defend. I never want to fight. I'm never going to be a fan of using violence no matter what." He still stands by this no matter what happens. Defending and healing in his mind would be a much better option in his mind.

Nita nods, once.

"That's the best way to feel about it."

Not jumping to making exceptions was a good sign.

"I've got spells for shielding that'll last a while - I could key the trigger word into something other people could use, but they'd still be more effective issued the day of missions, rather than ahead of time."

So not exactly something to stack up on.

"For other methods... were you thinking of using something in your deck, or related to it?"

"I've tried using my deck and the duel disk as a distraction, but I found out last mission that will not always work." So he figured he needed at least one other way to be able to help out.

"It all depends on what the mission is really. Things like robots know it's not real for example."

"... Can you hack the robots through the disk, or is it not that kind of computer?"

It could make for a good collab with Seto, though, was the reason behind her mentioning it.

"It's not that kind of thing...as far as I am aware. Kaiba does a lot with them, so I can never say for certain. But I think he would have mentioned that at this point." Considering he was the one who created them and all.

"I think... he's had a lot on his mind lately," Nita says carefully.

"But you're right, he'd have focused on that first if he could have. Has anyone mentioned shield-devices that work for anyone, then?"

That would be the second-best place to look, Nita assumes.

"That sounds about right." He answered before pausing and shaking his head slightly. As far as he was aware he hadn't heard anything anyway.

"No. I don't think so."

"Might want to ask Lightning, then. Or Tidus. I think they were the ones who started the ball rolling on ordering specific supplies from the shop..."

Nita shrugged.

"If not, I can help you look for something too."

It didn't bother her any.

"I will keep a note on that, thank you." It was at least helpful in a way. But soon his eyes drifted back to what was in front of him.

"I could also focus on figuring out something else to. That's something, right?"

"... It can feel a lot more significant, when it's something you figured out for yourself."

Aka: yes.

"Need any spare paper, to jot down ideas?" Or did Yugi have that covered?

"I might need some paper. I've used pretty much my whole notebook on notes for other things and I just used the last of it on this."

Considering how long he has been here it's lasted pretty well.

"I think I've still got some spare journals stashed somewhere; I can grab you one in a minute."

From... two months ago, was it now? While Nita wrote a lot, she wasn't that prolific a writer.

Not anymore.

"...I am now curious to ask just how many journals you have since you said spare journals implying more than one." Yugi while he did writ e a lot, mostly ideas about various things like games, he never figured to buy many at once.

Nita winced.

"It's only two at this point, actually; I ordered a half-dozen and split them with... Roland and Romeo, I think?"

She really did need to keep track of shared purchases better; it wasn't like splitting the price on a group-meal.]\

"Then I'll let you keep that. I have plenty of points to use anyway when I need it."

Not like he ever really had anything to spend them on either, so this would be a good time to do that.

A New Platform [Intro Post December]

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