voidtreckernet | horseshoe 22, voice

[ That thing, Roland assumes, might be the mysterious cloud-like entity that was responsible for that world's collective destruction. Two left, he thinks then, remembers that feeling of acid pooling in his stomach when the very colors donning their clothes right now were the same ones who had lost the most that day. Whenever it was. So he approaches this carefully. ]

In the mission logs, the train ran away, right? When the thing came once, on another world, it forcibly evacuated every passenger and left? That's the only proof we've got, so far. Other than that...the train probably doesn't care about anything apart from the missions. If it does care about you and me and everyone else, it could stand to put more effort in its love language.

[ Like give things for free, as they should. Supplies. Medicine. Weapons and armor. Things that should be accessible to all! Even without points! ]

Edited 2020-10-16 17:23 (UTC)

I mean... those people wanted to save the passengers that got wiped by that, right? Then like you said, the train knows it's got some kind of purpose.

[ Or... something like that. Right? It's all kinda confusing. ]

I wonder though what it's trying to do... [ Idly, not really seriously- ] Trying to build the crew it needs?

[ There's a lot to the story they don't know, that's the only thing Roland is certain of. The gaps are still too wide for him to make any general claims about the train. Only that they're not saints, no matter how terrifyingly familiar the tale of their losses are. ]

There's also the fact that the void ministry doesn't recognize us. But in the vision, it was very clearly the Voidtrecker Express home world. I've always wondered why that was the case.

[ It implies dangerous things about the connections: the storm that wiped them, the survivors of the story, and the ministry they're escaping from. Roland desperately wishes the void ministry could pick up too, pick up their little breadcrumbs to see another side of the tale. ]

Pretty sure that's it, Tidus. We're the crew it needs. For what endgame, we can only wait for more answers. If they come.

Uggh. [ Yep, this is about the time in all this thinking that Tidus starts to groan. ]

It's gotta be something like that, or- it needs time? Maybe it doesn't know what to do about that big black world eating thing yet. Or getting back the rest of the crew.

[ What is it? He doesn't remember enough about Nita's notes to really theorise well. ]

So the Voidtrecker was part of the ministry. But then its home world got blown up... and now it's just the stuff of legends. Right?

Yeah...right.

[ Hearing the theories run past Roland's own mind over and over again can get numbing, but when you hear it come out of somebody else's mouth, you start to realize how it actually sounds. That you might be missing nuances because you've been keeping those thoughts to yourself. ]

So why run away? [ They were communicating on voice, but if it were on video, Roland would definitely be seen shaking his head as he ponders. ] It goes back to what we were wondering about before. On the island. What changed that made the Voidtrecker want to run from the ministry when they used to play for the same team? Hm. Maybe that's why we're so rationed on supplies. Could be part of their camouflage.

[ Because that will either imply guilt on both sides - that the destruction was caused by one or the other. Why else would you run? ]

'Cause what it's doing is space illegal? [ Isn't that why anyone runs from the cops? ] It's not like the Voidtrecker's been chatty with any of us. How's a train supposed to communicate anyway?

[ It was why he hadn't made his post to be about asking the train why it kidnaps people. Instead- ]

Any time it 'talks' to us, it's in information that sounds like a void-travelling train might have on it, right? Like the voidsickness, and the void storm. Or, 'hey, come see the conductor in this place that doesn't exist.'

Plus, [ since he has to point it out, ] you're being way too fair to this train. Rationing? It can get people what they want if they order from the shop a few hours before we stop on a platform.

...Do you think the train knows more than it lets us on?

[ There's a fairly heavy pause on Roland's end before he answers, thoughts weighing deep enough to warrant second-guessing. But his interest is still there, still hot on the trail wherever it might lead them. ]

About the truth, I mean. That's why it talks to its passengers the way that it does. Why none of us can get outright answers, no matter how many times we ask. [ Conjectures, but Roland finds it intriguing, regardless. ] What are the chances that the train knows who might be behind the dark cloud that destroyed them before? The ministry? Or, some other power associated with their old bosses? It could run that deep.

[ And he loathes to admit this sounds like conspiracy, but honestly at this point, if they get nothing else from their captors, what else could Roland think? ]

Might even be the previous Voidtrecker's expedition that started this whole mess to begin with. That's why they're so sure they can't be found by the authorities. Trying to right their wrongs before the ministry catches up.

[ There's the sound of a breath let go, leading into what he says next; as much dubious as it is unsure of anything. ]

Yeeeah, but... I've been wondering about that. When we talk to it, you mean Nita and the people who go the wall, right? But if what you said about it earlier, if it doesn't know how to speak - what's it gonna say?

[ What's the point he's trying to make? He isn't sure. He knows the one Roland is trying to, so he switches to that, focuses on it. ] Were the people who came on board that one point part of the ministry, or just some side-gig? Stop and search void police? [ Someone doesn't know about border patrol here. ]

It's avoiding the ministry, but who knows what they're up to? We don't know anything about them, 'cept the train doesn't want us reading anything they have to say. And then handing us out info on voidsickness? What was the timing on that? Like it was trying to make us think we were sick or something.

[ Pfft. ]

But I mean, maybe it does know about the cloud, or...whatever that thing is. Still doesn't trust us either way. We're just along for its ride.

It's safe to assume they were there on ministry orders, even if they were some form of controller to check up on vehicles.

[ And that's the thing that forces Roland to go in circles. Each of their motives are unknown - the ministry could be just as responsible for the events of the past as the train itself, and the crew that's left behind. And just like Tidus says, they're just along for the ride. An illusion of choice, of power. Feeling like they've got things under control when a push of a button from the other side could put them through hell. It's happened, right? Void storm, visions, memories shared without consent... ]

I'd like to think that broadcasting voidsickness is just the train's way of manipulating us to stop snooping. Stop wondering about our circumstance and...live nicely on the train. Listen to some music. Read. Relax until our next stop. That's how you get voidsick, right? When you can't relax.

[ Yeah, that's a sore spot for him too. One of the very first things he's wondered about himself, worried that he'll lose more of himself than he's willing to let go. ]

Edited 2020-10-18 16:13 (UTC)

Well I know I'm not sick or imagining things, so a piece of text like that isn't enough to get to me.

[ He's not like some of the other people here, overly paranoid. He knows what he knows. Some would call it being too dumb to manipulate in such a fashion. Or hardheaded. ]

But I still want to know if we can get it to give anything out. Even if we're just dragging information like void travel 101 out of it, you know? Plus I'm wondering how many of us actually ask anything about the train, or we get the idea everyone's tried asking everything before but just got nothing, or quit too soon.

[ Which may sound smart

but also he's just feeling impatient and worked up today and he has few options for pretending like he's doing anything productive. ]

[ He wants to retort a simple how would you know though, if memory loss is one of the symptoms?, but refrains from it because it might just be that same line of thinking that gets someone void sick in the first place! ]

Hm. Didn't Nita order a bunch of books on void travel? I think some are in the library... [ Roland hums, trying to recall. ] But why don't I try doing that soon, on the feedback post? Just ask it questions about itself? Like trying to get to know it? Or at the very least, as soon as I get more points, I'll see if I can't get a more specific Void Travel book or magazine. What did you have in mind?

[ A pause.]

Void Travel for Beginners? Or, Lost in the Void and You Don't Know What To Do?

[ be less paranoid bro, it's great for one's stress levels.

But that last suggestion gets a scoff. ] How about, You've Been Kidnapped By A Rogue Void Train And Don't Know What To Do?

[ But, alright, more seriously- ] Why don't we see if we can get the train to cough up the info first? Unless you wanna see if there's any helplines you can call. [ For more actual useful avenues. ]

I just want to try this to see how much it takes to get an answer. You know, in some way. Or if we'll get ignored completely.

Not that I'll say no to an answer about why we just get sent away, wherever it comes from.

Helplines, huh...?

[ THAT might be worth looking into, for the books to order. Surely a primer existed somewhere out there, like an emergency manual if a voidtrecker vehicle went offline...Roland stores that little tidbit for later. ]

Sure. That makes sense. And since there's no way of tracking submitted feedback, I'll update you daily. Or when I do get to it. [ Says Mr. Master Auditor. ] Heh. I can imagine it now. 'Hi, Voidtrecker. I'm sorry I've been living off of you for all this time and I never asked how your day's been going. Why don't you tell me all about it?'

We're always too busy thinking about us. How about we think about you for once, and what you need? Come on, kidnapping train. You're not really making us do anything, right.

You even give us a bed and food! Life could be a lot worse.

[ Okay, the memory thing - whatever it was or meant - and if the train actually has anything to do with losing anyone... is sad! Everything about it is absolutely suspicious and not cool still, though. ]

[ Wow, guess he's beat on the dry and sarcastic front. Roland shakes his head, chuckling. ]

...Hope that doesn't backfire on us. Then again, if it does, that's another sign that the train's listening to the feedback post. It's feeling something, at least.

[ And hey, that's a legitimate strategy too. Provocation!

For reasons however, Roland won't say that out loud. ]

At this point, a reaction's a reaction. [ And wouldn't that be great? Also, what's having restraint. ] If it did start punishing us...

[ His mind wonders on what that would be, and tries at the same time to wonder how he would feel about it. Relieved? More riled up? Both? ]

What do you think? If it started taking away privileges -- like the shop, deducting points. Think things would be different?

Things would absolutely be different.

[ His voice takes a more serious edge to it, if only because he's never been fond of ruling with an iron fist. Or with taking away privileges and benefits that are hard-earned by the people. ]

It's a reaction, sure. But if they punish us for the simple act of asking for answers, then this train's gonna start running on thin ice. Why make our lives harder when we're the only ones who can do the job for it? Save worlds, save citizens?

I was thinking about other things. Like... not doing chores. Or tryin' to wreck the train. But saying things it doesn't like too, sure.

[ Anything it can deem disagreeable. ]

Things would have to be different, right? Like a different air. [ A pause. ]

You don't think the train wouldn't?

It's a risky idea, but what did you have in mind? What kind of things wouldn't it like to hear, you think?

[ Of course the train would, or at least, reprimand them somehow. Send a memo. But it's exactly as Tidus said: any reaction is a reaction, already proving the point. For the most part, Roland's completely onboard, though he'd have to volunteer himself to the task if needed. If there was to be a consequence, he didn't mind being the first to take it. ]

[ Oh-- ]

Heyhey, I'm not seriously suggesting anything. [ Time to clarify, to be clearer. ] I'm speaking hypothetically. Like, what if it did start doing that. How everyone would react, how they'd feel about the train then.

[ How the mood would shift. Maybe it had no place in their conversation to bring up, but... ]

I wouldn't want it to start doing that. But if people keep attacking the store car or doing stuff it wouldn't like - it makes you think, you know? If it would. Or wouldn't. It'd say a lot about how the train sees us.

[ Wanting them to stay in line, or allowing them their freedoms no matter what they do. Even if it's attempted assault on the train, or murder to another passenger. ]

...Yeah, hypothetical.

[ He's not disappointed, but Roland's a little more ready than him to perform risky things in search for answers. Whose idea was it to pretend to betray his king, after all? But he has a point; the consequence might extend to the rest of the community, and they can't have that now, can they?

Regardless, he hears Tidus's point. ]

Hm. But didn't the train punish Nita that time she used her magic on it? I tried to talk her out of it, but she said she was willing to accept the consequences. I think it blocked out her own power to hear it, for a time. Doesn't that say a lot, already?

Wasn't that her wizard-thingy? [ You know. Wizardy-powers. ]

She has some kinda... thing about them. I guess it's sorta like a uh- maybe a spirit, or something. Inside her, that lets her use her powers in the first place? Like that.

Or...her magic runs on rules. [ He remembers that. ] She broke her rule doing that.

Oh, you mean her peridexis?

[ That is, if he can recall it right. ]

I see. So it was the rules of her magic, not necessarily the train...But then again, if an actual murder wasn't enough to wake it up enough to talk to us, any other effort will fall short.

[ He makes a quiet confession. ]

I've actually asked the higgledies to try to reach the engine room. Bambosh just made a small sound, like he was sighing. I'm going to guess that's a no.

[ Peridexis! There we go. But, what's that about the higgledy? ]

Did you ask him to attack it?

[ Or-- something else? It doesn't quite sound like an attack, unless Roland left Bambosh to do it unsupervised. Would he? ]

No.

[ Bambosh attacking the train would spell a disaster for everyone, anyone. Fire tornado? On a train? No thanks. ]

But if you notice, they can disappear and reappear from one place to another if they wanted to. Magic works in strange ways. I just thought they might be able to get through, connect with the train the way they've done with you and Inigo. [ It won't be seen, but he shakes his head. ] Nothing.

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