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

Della pouted, her cheek puffing out. "Aw, c'mon! You were supposed to get all flustered and blushing and adorable, flailing around like 'Oh nooo, how did you find ouuut'!"

How dare ruin her fun!

"I am sure that I will be like that in the future." But people know was something he thought was pretty much known to all. So now he is somewhat surprised all things considering.

"I am sure next time you will get me because I know there will be certain I will react like that about."

"Aw, phooey." Fun-ruin-er. Fiiine, she'll get back to the original topic...

"So, you got any worries about the next mission?"

He knew deep down... there will be a time when she will get him. For all he knew it could be in around five minutes, it could be tomorrow or it could be much further down the line. but Yugi would never know when to expect it.

So for the time being he figured he could try and focus on the other subject. "I kind of always worry about the missions. You never know what will happen on them."

"But that's one of the best parts!" Della cheered a bit. "Expecting the unexpected! Heading straight into the unknown! It always gets my heart racing."

"I guess for some enjoying that thing is great. For me, I've kinda had enough from home to last me a lifetime. But... I guess being here it's going to be unexpected regardless of what I am trying to figure out." he said giving a small sigh. He thought when everything was over he could live a nice and peaceful life.

Sure some of this wasn't bad, but at the same time, peace would have also been nice.

Oof. Looks like that was the wrong thing to say. Della shifted around, trying to think of how to fix it. "Sounds like home is... a little rough?"

"It had its moments, potentially dying is never a fun possibility, but I guess I still wouldn't change it exactly either." Because if it had never happened he never would be who he was... At least in the confidence department anyway.

"Would it help you to talk about it?" Della offered, raising her eyebrows.

"Sure, if it will help me." It was better than trying to figure things out for himself anyway.

"Though can you answer me this? With my skills as a strategist, what do you think I can do on missions?"

"Be the brains of the missions, of course!" Della answered, thinking of her kids and their skills. "Focus on the angles, and try to figure out the smoothest way to do things. There will always be people like me who go head-first into every situation... but I need people like you to pull me back and tell me what's right and wrong."

He nodded slightly at her words. It made sense and it was something he had been figuring out how to do considering the aforementioned some people dive in headfirst thing.

Plus it did mean if someone was doing something and there was a better way he would need to get involved.

"But if it's during a tough situation one can't exactly do that and stay out of it. I guess unless we use the method of communication, I suppose."

"And sometimes us meat-heads can't communicate all that well." She thunked a fist to her head, as if that would prove it.

"We need you brainy guys to... word things good." See, there was a good example.

"I guess so. But at the same time sometimes you won't have moments to think about things, but I understand what you meant at least."

At least he figured it out anyway.

A New Platform [Intro Post December]

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