Day 7: Screw your courage to the sticking place: Start

[voidtreckermods]

For those who have been on the train a little while they will be expecting this, the beginning of a new month, after certain passengers have strange dreams. Early in the morning of day seven of the month of Egret their SCA's glow the colour of the void and a holographic message appears. Their next mission. Another world to save.

Preperation

Those that go to the dressing room will find flight suits and helmets, one per passenger. Those who are not human shaped will find ones adapted for them, some of them quite odd. The flight suits are tight fitting and light, but once they put them on they will feel quite warm. Each is the colour of the Voidtreckers team and have a black train symbol on the chest, the helmets have clear fronts and coloured backs.

They have an hour or so to prepare for their mission. Time to make sure everyone understands what a space ship is, at least. Hopefully.

Arrival

"We are now approaching System #7212108." Finally it is time. "Warning: Exit from void in ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one." A jolt, a flash of light and suddenly the colours are gone, out of the windows they will see they are in a large hanger.

And outside of the train there are five scaled humanoids with guns pointing directly at the train. Those that try the doors find they do not open.

"What void transport is this?" One of the creatures demands. "We didn't request void help, explain yourselves."

Another speaks. From where they are stood near the engine. "Voidtrecker Express."

Even though the voidtreckers are unfamiliar with these people the surprise is clear in the creatures eyes.

"Stand down." They snap at the others, who lower their weapons and step back.

The commander looks worried. "Give them anything they need." They turn to hurry out of the hanger.

The doors open, allowing the Voidtreckers off the train.

One of the remaining guards steps forwards.

"I am Hitrinto, I apologise, we were not expecting you." They look worried as well. "We have everything under control but if you are here..."

At that moment there is a clatter of noise over the radio.

"There are reports coming in of a second wormhole in the system." A second voice spoke almost immediately. "Shield Station Two has been hit. I repeat Shield Station two is taking heavy fire." A third soon after. "More enemies ships sighted, reports of a second wormhole confirmed."

Hitrinto looked at the Voidtreckers grimly. "Come with me."

If the Voidtreckers indeed follow them they will find an array of ships. Hitrinto quickly explains the basics, two person ships are easier to pilot. The controls can be shared or can be set so one person drives whilst the other concentrates on fighting. They have solo ships but they are difficult to pilot and they will only give them to those who have ship fighting experience.

Another guard hands out blasters and will give quick lessons to anyone who is unsure on how they work. For all that they were surprised they guards seem to accept the presence of the Voidtreckers and work quickly to get them armed and ready for battle. Choose ships, have a quick practice of weapons and get ready to go!

Onward!

Blue team are already where they need to be, they can begin to explore the station, get the lay of the land and figure out a plan of helping guard this place.

Everyone else is off, purple and red are off to the second wormhole, orange to the shield station that needs help! Board your ships and set off to help!

(OOC: Team posts detailing the next part of each mission will go up on the 15th March)

Comments

[happyends]

"Ever.."

She repeats the word, then grows quiet. She doesn't doubt what he's saying. Madoka knows there's so many people who care for her. Who'd help her. But at the same time she knows that her problem isn't something that can be solved by anyone but her. Madoka silently contemplates it for a moment as she leans into the hug.

It's not the right moment to get lost in thought about that though, and she knows it. So after remaining like that for a few moments Madoka pulls back a little and smiles at him. ".. Thank you. It's very kind of you to say all of that. And to listen to me. We should probably get going soon though, huh..?"

The girl gently pulls herself out of the hug, standing back up on her feet. For a moment it looks like she's already going to leave, but then she turns back to Gladio with a warm smile.

"Um.. I know I don't have the right to chase you down if you'd go away like that." She should probably leave that up to the people closer to him, right? Like Ignis and Prompto. "But.. I'd miss you anyway."

She may not have known him for long, but he's so sweet. And caring. And if there's anything this conversation has proven to her, it's that she really likes having him around.

[callmegladio]

Gladio was more than a little sad for Madoka to leave his arms. As much as he had been offering her comfort, he had been taking an equal amount for himself. Though he knew his thoughts then were selfish, so the teen pulling away was probably for the best.

He watched her, not moving from his seat on the ground, with a gentle smile. He nodded at her thanks but not trusting himself to do more than that. Maybe they should get ready to ship out, but he needed a minute to think...

When she stopped and turned to him, though, Gladio chuckled. "Screw rights, kid. If you had to go away I'd definitely chase you down." And he would. He'd hunt for her. Nevermind the fact Ignis and Tony would do the same, but... he would. And he'd miss her. She was a sweet thing and didn't deserve to have this kind of weight on her shoulders. If he knew how the hell to take it from her he would. That was, Gladio believed, his job. To take the weight. Why else did he have his strength if not to use to to protect his friends?

[happyends]

His reaction to the last thing she said makes her pause. She stares at him, obvious surprise on her face. It shouldn't even be that surprising, since it's in line with all the nice things he's said and done up to this point, but at the same time.. Madoka's selfesteem is just so low that it's always surprising when someone cares for her.

Madoka ducks her head slightly - shyly, but happily. Even if she knows she can't get anyone else involved in her own world's problems, the sentiment still makes her so happy.

"I.. In that case, I'll definitely chase you down too, mister Gladio." She fully lifts her face again to be able to look at him, putting her hands up in the air. "Screw rights..!"

.. she's probably learning the right thing here at its core.

[callmegladio]

Gladio laughed, but hoped like hell Ignis or Tony didn't hear Madoka. Out of context it could seem like he was teaching her bad things. But what it really was was touching and had him grinning widely in response.

"Exactly. Screw it. We'll chase each other down and to heck with the rest." Okay, so maybe he was trying. He didn't really like to swear around kids, but he'd gotten a little heated there. Gladio tried to bring it back in though and avoided any more swearing.

[happyends]

Don't worry, Gladio, Tony might just find it weirdly endearing.. It's Ignis you have to watch out for!

And hey, at the very least it seems to have sufficiently cheered Madoka up. It's hard to not feel reassured in the face of Gladio's outward confidence. She smiles.

"Um, do you think you're ready to get going now too..? Or do you need another moment to yourself? I can go ahead or wait for you if you want..!"

[callmegladio]

"You go on ahead." Gladio kept his grin in place. He was cheered up and did feel a lot better after talking with Madoka. But a minute or two to gather his thoughts were needed. Then he would head out a new man with a purpose and a goal.

"I'll catch up with you guys." He winked and grinned all the wider. "Can't let you have all the fun, now can I?"

[happyends]

Madoka nods, clearly having enough faith in the fact that he'll be okay by himself for a few moments.

.. and maybe he's even made her a little giddy, since she giggles and can't help but reply: "You better hurry before the fun is all gone!"

With that, she gives him a quick wave, and then she runs off.