voidtreckermods: (train)
VoidTrecker Express Mods ([personal profile] voidtreckermods) wrote in [community profile] middleofsomewhere2019-07-13 08:02 am

To Climb

Preparation

Just after light on the seventh day since boarding the train everyone’s SCA glows with the colours of the void before showing a message. A briefing for the mission to come. No one gets much time to process this before there is a shaking, like turbulance before there’s a jolt and flash of colour.

”Welcome to Hub World#5739. Our next stop will be Ciyesia in a few hours.”

Outside the windows the void is gone. The train is winding through a mountain range. The mountains tower up around them. The sky is a beautiful blue though every now and again there is a swirl of colour, like the void is trying to break through.

The countryside wizzes by, sometimes you go past settlements, small villages of wooden houses. Sometimes you pass farmers in fields. Sometimes herds of animals, horses, camels, strange animals with six legs and curled horns.

Eventually the train slows. ”Now arriving at Ciyesia. Passengers must wear their Safety Control Apparatus. Please ensure you take all equipment needed for your mission with you when you leave the train and take extra care when you step from the train to the platform. Next stop Ciyesia.”

Arrival

And in a billow of steam the train comes to a stop. The doors hiss open and there is indeed a rickety wooden platform, fallen into disuse. Sat upon it were two children, a boy and a girl who were staring at the train with open mouths.

Before the doors were even fully opened they were off running, “Ma! Ma!”

The platform is in a clearing, surrounded mostly by trees but down the path the children took a building can be seen. If you follow the children you will find it a large homestead, with a sign outside. The Weary Wanderer. The children are on the doorstep talking to a woman and gesturing towards you.

As you approach she smiles, a little nervously. “Well. This is not something I thought I would see in my lifetime. Welcome Treckers, I offer you the hospitality of my inn.”

She gestures them in. Inside is a large common room with wooden tables. There is a fire place but the day is warm enough that it is not lit. At first glance it looks old fashioned to anyone from a modern world, even fantasy-esque for those who would recognise it as such. Indeed her and the children are dressed in simple layered, loose tunics. But then you may notice some of the candles are battery powered and! there’s a coffee machine on the bar.

“Maia can you ask our guests what they would like to drink?” The woman hands the little girl a slate and chalk before she begins rummaging around on the bar for mugs and glasses. “I’m sorry, it’s the quiet season so we aren’t quite guest-ready.”

They become guest ready in an impressive amount of time. The little boy runs off and returns a short while later with a plate of oat biscuits that he begins handing out.

Sheltered and soon to be fed it is time to learn more about this land and plan for your journeys ahead.

(OOC: Information for this event is here and the initial briefing is here
voidtreckernpcs: (Maia)

[personal profile] voidtreckernpcs 2019-07-31 07:04 pm (UTC)(link)
Maia made the triangle with her hands and beamed in praise when he was satisified. Triangles will make things stronger.

"Second cupboard on the left in the kitchen." Albany looked up from cleaning Enero's knee. "Maia can show you and then she can go to her room until she has plan for making things up to her brother."

Maia pulled a face but now she didn't lose her calm, just huffed and led Tony towards the kitchen and to the cupboard in question.

"Are you going to fix the alien spaceship?"
knifewithnoname: (that sounds unpleasent)

[personal profile] knifewithnoname 2019-07-31 07:41 pm (UTC)(link)
She had never heard of asthma before but it sounded terrible. How was he even alive if he couldn't breathe properly? She had no idea what an inhaler was she got the idea from his words.

But really, he had almost died because he couldn't breathe? Something even babies could manage. Then he had gotten bitten by a spider that was working with an ER to steal his money? How he had even survived to be so big was a miracle. She was smart and clever and she figured getting to be eleven was quite a success.

"If you do be stronger than him then you should be punching him. He do be probably be picking on everyone else as well, punching him would be showing him."

Actually stabbing him or poisoning him would be more effective but she knows he won't agree with that. Still if he had an enemy and he was so worried about him hurting others then the best thing to do was eliminate the threat.
knifewithnoname: (yes okay)

[personal profile] knifewithnoname 2019-07-31 07:52 pm (UTC)(link)
"Did they be kidnapping people too?"

Was this some kind of many-world problem? Trains that stole people and took them to far flung places. "You did be working on a train that did be protecting trains? What do trains be needing protection from?"

Because clearly if there were protectors then there were enemies. It's such a complicated thing to try and work out. Why they got taken, why they were told to do a training mission. She knew Manabu had no more answers than the rest of them, but he had worked on flying trains before and she had never even seen one before the platform, so if anyone was going to figure it all out it was probably him.
siriusly: (i think he's dead.)

[personal profile] siriusly 2019-08-01 11:12 pm (UTC)(link)
"Um, well...kidnapping isn't really common, unless it's a high-profile target. Like, say, a famous business owner, or a leader..." Or Louise's father... He makes a thoughtful sound, and the sounds of their feet crunching on dried grass and gravel fill some space before he goes on.

"Sometimes a meteor will cross paths with one of the express tracks, and it could endanger a train. Or a technical malfunction could leave people stranded. Me and the crew I'm part of handle all sorts of situations, because things aren't so cut-and-dry."
siriusly: (i think he's dead.)

[personal profile] siriusly 2019-08-01 11:14 pm (UTC)(link)
Manabu grimaces at the notion.

"I'm not sure that'd be a great find," he admits. "AI without human advisory isn't very safe. But then...maybe who or whatever picked us all up isn't really that concerned with safety?"

The train is packed with things that make spider-boys puke, after all.
hashtagparkerluck: (Okay...)

[personal profile] hashtagparkerluck 2019-08-02 04:59 am (UTC)(link)
Peter lets out a sharp laugh before just shaking his head. Ned's asked him the same question a few times. 'Dude, you could totally take him, why don't you?' Aside from being suspended for a few days there are several reasons he doesn't just punch Flash.

"But I wasn't stronger then him before the bite. And if I can suddenly take on Flash then people are gonna have questions and I'm keeping Spider-man on the down low, remember? And it's just me-trust me. It's always just me." He rolls his eyes at the thought. "I think it's because I don't fight back. Anyone that ever tells you to ignore it when someone bullies you is an idiot, btw-they're not gonna get bored, trust me. I mean, I'll admit he's not as bad as he used to be-but he still 'accidentally' knocks me down the stairs sometimes or throws a ball too hard at my face."
knifewithnoname: (worry)

[personal profile] knifewithnoname 2019-08-02 05:08 am (UTC)(link)
That kind of kidnapping made more sense to her. Rather than kidnapping a bunch of random people from different worlds and putting them on a train. "What do a meteor be being?"

Trains could break? She hoped this one didn't. But if it did maybe Manabu would be able to fix it. That would be a good thing. It was lucky they had someone that knew so much about trains with them, even if he didn't know much about this train.
knifewithnoname: (pondering)

[personal profile] knifewithnoname 2019-08-02 05:22 am (UTC)(link)
What was the point of pretending you were weak? She could see some advantages, your enemy would underestimate you and you could strike harder than they would think. But when it led to you being beaten up, thrown down stairs and ran over with carts? Maybe your trick has gone too far.

It seemed to her that the only thing to salvage the situation would be for Peter to kill Flash. Not publicly. Not in a show of strength but quietly, poison or a quick dagger. Secretly so no one knows.

But she can't say any of that so instead she nods, "Of course they will no be getting bored. People do be liking having power over others."
mtsilver_conquor: (Where has my heart gone?)

[personal profile] mtsilver_conquor 2019-08-02 11:11 am (UTC)(link)
"On this we can very much agree, yes." There's a firm nod as she addresses that first. She's said what she needs to on the subject and for now, it seems as if they've come to some sort of agreement.

Then she pauses, mulling over the first question with a thoughtful look. "Darks are a type of pokemon- long maligned and cast as evil when they're not and I'm not the person to go into that topic with. Saeko-san is if she ever shows up. She's a dark-type trainer. What you mean would be wild pokemon, who can spit fire or shoot beams of ice at you just as much as help you out with something. Monkey's throwing fruit is baby play tame compared to what could have happened. that's not even taking into account what many ghosts-types can do. If there was another trainer here, I'd give you a demo as to what I mean. but there' not."

She knows she babbled, but at the same time, he needs to correct the mistake. "Trained pokemon like Princess fight, both wild and other trained pokemon. Pokemon enjoy it and if they didn't want to, we'd know. Do you really think you or I could stand up to a pokemon? No. Even a baby pippi would kill us if they wanted to. But, legends and history say pokemon will, by and large, help humanity for their own reasons."
thebiggestguy: (pic#13249160)

[personal profile] thebiggestguy 2019-08-02 02:05 pm (UTC)(link)
Came down, popped into Bahamut. Archmage Louisoix took it out, but that got known as the Calamity. And it was a terrible time. [And definitely not one to suit the current mood, nor did he want the current mood to change, so...] Let's go back to singing!
runs_on_batteries: (I'm listening)

[personal profile] runs_on_batteries 2019-08-02 03:46 pm (UTC)(link)
"Very good!" Tony said and gives her shoulder a very light pat. He knows the rules, don't go touching other people's kids. However, he thinks that little bit while Mama Bear is watching should be okay.

He watches as she points out where the tools are. Oh hammer and wrench, how he's missed you so! Oh, needle nose pliers and a screwdriver and..

"Hm?" He'd gotten lost in thought for a moment. "An al- the train or do you have an alien spaceship in that back room of yours?" It's a tease, but he's only half kidding. Please let him toy around with an alien spaceship!
runs_on_batteries: (Default)

[personal profile] runs_on_batteries 2019-08-02 04:44 pm (UTC)(link)
"Depends." Tony only partially agreed. There were times that was true (very, very true), but there were other times when AI's were much safer than the humans controlling them. "I'm uncertain whether the person or AI commanding this train is concerned or unconcerned with our safety. There are a lot of first aid kits around and when I threatened him the kids were restricted from certain foods that might hurt them."

It wasn't the conductor's fault his kids were idiots and allergic to everything. He hadn't realized before just how many different things Peter could get harmed by. It made his confidence in the boy's abilities to be strong and capable waiver. How could you be a superhero and protect the world if you were taken out by Febreeze?

"Either way, we should see what we can do when we get back on the train to override the system or at least communicate with it."
voidtreckernpcs: (Maia)

[personal profile] voidtreckernpcs 2019-08-02 07:41 pm (UTC)(link)
"We do!" Maia grinned at him, showing a gap where her big teeth hadn't quite grown through yet. "Wanna see?"

Albany was still mostly preoccupied sorting out Enero but she glanced over and nodded when she realised Maia was taking Tony to the store room. She trusts he won't let her poke anything too dangerous.
runs_on_batteries: (Default)

[personal profile] runs_on_batteries 2019-08-02 10:36 pm (UTC)(link)
"Of course," he was in middle of saying when she asked her rhetorical question about whether he could take on a pokemon. He raises an eyebrow when she says he'd die. She didn't know him too well did she (or he was just over estimating his power).

He wasn't sure exactly where the conversation moved from focused on Buttercup to talking about the billions of pokemon she kept talking about. He's pretty sure if he was from her world, he'd have a never ending headache. "Alright.. so pokemon are powerful even when they look like a rabbit and a bat got frisky. Got it. Now tell me something about you that has nothing to do with them." He was curious if she could even do that.
runs_on_batteries: (cheers)

[personal profile] runs_on_batteries 2019-08-02 11:35 pm (UTC)(link)
[Tony throws his hand with his tankard in the air at that suggestion. The info had been kind of depressing. They should definitely be getting back to the fun now.]

Okay so there's this band called the Beatles that was transformative in music history. One of their best songs, in my opinion, was 'Little Help From My Friends'. When I point to you, you just sing 'Ah, with a little help from my friends'. That's it, got it?

[Whether Dread agrees or not, Tony starts singing. He almost knocks over the drink Albany just refilled.]

What would you do if I sang out of tune?
Would you stand up and walk out on me?
Lend me your ears and I'll sing you a song
I will try not to sing out of key

Oh, baby I get by- Dread!
All I need is my buddies- Dread!
I say I'm gonna get high- Dread!
Oh yeah!

Edited 2019-08-02 23:37 (UTC)
hashtagparkerluck: (disgruntled spider)

[personal profile] hashtagparkerluck 2019-08-03 06:53 am (UTC)(link)
"Yeah, I hate to say it, but I think you're right-some people anyway. It's funny that he likes Spider-Man so much though." He offers, leaning over to nudge her with his shoulder before standing up and stretching.

"Well, I think we've stayed out in the cold long enough-or at least I know I have. Time to try and sleep I guess. Can I get my webshooter back? I promise I'll let you play with it again sometime soon."
knifewithnoname: (listening)

[personal profile] knifewithnoname 2019-08-03 07:45 am (UTC)(link)
He liked spiderman? But didn't like Peter. Well then couldn't he beat him up as spider man and tell him not to pick on people anymore?

But it was his life and he wasn't even there anymore so it wasn't like it actually mattered. She unclipped the webshooter and handed it back over.

"I do be thanking you for showing me."

Maybe she should go inside as well, it is pretty cold. Which reminds her. "Oh here you can be having your jumper back."

She pulled the purple hoodie back over her head to give it back to him.
siriusly: (holy shit i LOVE jellybeans)

[personal profile] siriusly 2019-08-03 01:49 pm (UTC)(link)
"Passing by, minding its own business. It's only a problem if its path comes in the way of a train...that could shake things up a bit if it's big enough."

While he explains, he makes vague gestures with his hands.

"See, the trains run on these pathways that are kind of like...like tubes. You can't really see them that well, but it's energy being transmitted to make a kind of barrier around the trains as they go. That keeps out most space debris. But if there's something too dense, it can rattle the tube, and that can halt the train.

"The crew I'm with can fly out there without the pathways, get around the obstacles, and get rid of them easily. It's usually just a matter of blasting a meteor or asteroid down to smaller size, making sure the train's stable, and sending them on their way. Not too bad!"
siriusly: (let's just get this over with)

[personal profile] siriusly 2019-08-03 02:25 pm (UTC)(link)
"Yeah..."

If the train comes back. Manabu rubs the back of his head and sighs. Man, grim speculation really isn't his favorite pastime, but overt optimism doesn't seem right for the moment, either. For someone who runs mostly on zero or a hundred, there's a hard balance to strike here.

"I'm going to go in and see who's made it back," he decides, his head turning in the direction of the inn. "And, maybe, if I see some useful tools, I can pass them along your way."

Not just for the gun, but...for whatever else could follow.
runs_on_batteries: (building)

[personal profile] runs_on_batteries 2019-08-03 03:27 pm (UTC)(link)
Tony spends the next several hours messing around with all sorts of tools and mechanics from a variety of worlds and times. He fixes a few things that Maia could use for her fort and a few things end up in his rucksack, but anything he can tell Albany could use or might fetch her a good price, he leaves behind.

Except several tools. Sorry, she can probably get more from the town in the valley and he doesn't have that option. The train would be leaving soon and cut him off again from access to anything beyond its doors. Over the next few days, he also tackles a few home repairs around the inn in an attempt to make up for what he's pilfering.

runs_on_batteries: (Default)

[personal profile] runs_on_batteries 2019-08-03 04:45 pm (UTC)(link)
"Alright, kid." Tony says with a nod.

Whenever Manabu felt like it, he would fly them back to the summit. They'd talked quite a bit about their situation and it had turned pretty bleak. Maybe he shouldn't have spun things so negatively for the young man. They could use that positive spirit of Manabu's. Either way, Tony liked him and he was going to have the kid's back.
hashtagparkerluck: (228)

[personal profile] hashtagparkerluck 2019-08-04 03:00 am (UTC)(link)
"Thanks!" He affixes the webshooter back to his left wrist and looks up at the stars one last time.

"You don't have to give that back just yet-" He tries before the hoodie is handed back to him. "I have another one somewhere and I'm just gonna cocoon myself into the blankets on the bed so you can keep it for tonight if you want."
knifewithnoname: (serious)

[personal profile] knifewithnoname 2019-08-04 06:43 am (UTC)(link)
"No it do be being alright. I do be having blankets too." She's not planning to still be here by morning and he doesn't want him calling her a thief.

Stealing is doing the shadow gods work but also she has to stay alive with these people. It's a delicate line to walk.
knifewithnoname: (yes okay)

[personal profile] knifewithnoname 2019-08-04 06:52 am (UTC)(link)
She listens, she is trying her best to understand how all of this works. Trains, meteors, tubes of energy. He can fly outside the tubes, blasting these meteors.

She's still not sure what one of those is but she nods, not wanting to seem stupid.

"So do you be thinking we do be going through these tubes too?" He had said they couldn't be seen, so it was likely. "We have no been seeing any other trains though."
siriusly: (why do you gotta be so contrary)

[personal profile] siriusly 2019-08-04 02:01 pm (UTC)(link)
"I'm not so sure," he admits, stepping over some loose gravel, squinting up at the incline drawing closer as they walk. "If it's space, you'd see stars. Planets. But when we look out the windows here..."

A void. Color, here and there? But indistinct. There's no tell of systems or nebulas out there. And if it really is time travel? Well, he didn't look out the windows when he went on that wild ride into the past, so he couldn't say either way.

"I wish I could say I knew more about it. But it looks like...I've still got a lot to learn, even now." He smirks back at her. "That kind of puts us all in the same boat. Er...train. In more ways than one, ha."

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