A New Platform [Intro Post January]

[voidtreckermods]

On the Train

It’s been a month of ups and downs for the Voidtrecker Express and its passengers, but like clockwork, they are awoken by a familiar message that morning.

"Good morning passengers, it is day one of the month of Jelly. 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. The air is particularly crisp and clear here, the view blocked only by the fog around the platform, and while not overly cold, the temperature can best be described as brisk.

As usual the first to leave the train notice nothing, walking silently, rucksacks on their backs, towards the barriers. Fingon, Galo Thymos, Hikaru Aosora, Jin Ling, Lio Fotia, Minako Aino, Nerdanel, Nie Mingjue, Thorne.tcai, Webmind and Yotsuyu goe Brutus 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. As their eyes adjust, they will see they are on a platform, glass and dark stone rising in sturdy arches around them. 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; then the steam begins to fade and they realise they aren’t alone.

The platform is not large with fifteen figures scattered around, all facing the tracks, all dressed in cargo trousers and hoodies. To both the left and right, 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 step a strange assortment 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

After a short time, the doors hiss open again. 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 fresh ingredients, including several crates of avocados, the ingredient of the month of Jelly, as well as all sundries.

For passengers that have bought items, these are also scattered around the luggage carriage in various suitcases and bags. For each member of Blue Team, a small gauze bag with their name on it contains a generous handful of sweet rainbow fudge.

New passengers will find their ticket allows 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 full of spare blankets and pillows.

Departure

A second horn sounds to encourage any stragglers taking advantage of the fresh air, 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 itself. The fog from the windows is gone now, replaced with a kaleidoscope of ever-changing colours.

Welcome to the Void!

Comments

[azrthmtrnznthos]

Raven blinked, and replied calmly. "No, Tony." A pause. "I'm guessing you have some uncomfortable associations with his family." She was only half-guessing, her Empathy backing up that guess. "I'm sorry I startled you."

[worthallthis]

"I don't know a Tony. But. I knew a Howard." They have two whole memories about him. One of them is almost pleasant, as much as anything in a brutal war can be pleasant. And one of them is horrifying. They set their expression back to neutral. "It's kinda complicated. They might not have anything to do with each other." But with their luck, maybe they do.

(Only one way to find out. Not sure I want to.)

But they do ask: "Can I meet him? Tony Stark?"

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"Unfortunately, he's no longer here." Raven's tone was sympathetic. "If he comes back, I'll introduce you though, if I can, so you're not meeting a potential person that makes you uncomfortable while alone."

[worthallthis]

(Sounds like you get to put it off. Bully for you. Sorry, Sarge. It's fine. Guess maybe I just miss Howard a little. You don't remember him any more than I do. Yeah, I can't explain it either, pal.)

It is a relief, though. They definitely couldn't handle meeting-- what, Howard's brother? Son? Grandson? Christ. They couldn't handle that today. Not without a lot of actual coffee and some solid sleep behind them. "Thanks. That's. That. Might be a good idea," they agree quietly, and have another fortifying gulp of tea. "I guess I should probably look around. See what else there is here."

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"Whenever you're ready. It's all kind of in a straight line, so you can't really miss things. Engine is at one end, and its right next to our food stores and Kitchen car. Dining is next to it, and that's just if you go one way out of the Quiet car where we are. Going the other way, we passed through the Standard car. Following that path, you go through the main Gym, Medical, and Games. Next is the Garden car, and it has nominally been claimed by overlord Zetta. He's more annoying to deal with than a real threat though, at least so far. Then you have the Greenhouse car, and you want to stick to the paths and not trample the flowers. Then Cinema, and the Training Gym car. Then comes the Music carriage, the Library, the Armory which has a bunch of lockers in different team colors, and the Spa car. Then you get the chain of Sleeper Cars--I think we're up to seven of them now. From there you get the Dressing car, Triage, and Luggage at the end."

[worthallthis]

They twitch a little at the idea of a whole car dedicated to medical anything-- and that one must pass through it, apparently, to get to two thirds of the train. Ugh. That's going to be horrible.

Thankfully, there's a distraction. Soldat tilts their head, and ask, "There's a whole car just for music?"

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"There is. Most of the cars also have a hallway so you can pass by the main area, if it might be dangerous to have it open. Like the sleeper cars have." Raven wondered at that little twitch, and could make a guess at it. But it wasn't her place necessarily to ask.

[worthallthis]

(Might as well make sure. Yeah. Better than being surprised. Or dreading it.)

"Medical car one of those?" they ask. So Raven gets to find out, even without asking.

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"It is. Triage too, although it's the only car with an elevator as well." Since he wanted to be sure about Medical, better he be warned about Triage as well. "If you want, we could go there now so you're not alone? Just through the halls."

[worthallthis]

Soldat considers their status, finishes the tea, and says, "Yeah, that's probably a good idea. Think I'm not likely to hit anything or have a melt-down now, and company is. Always best."

[azrthmtrnznthos]

"Alright. We can do that now, if you're ready." Raven got to her feet, making sure to grab the little origami paper owl. It was cute, and would fit nicely in her backpack for safe keeping.

Moving to the door, ready to lead the way and show Soldat the rest of the train.