[open] i would give it all

[secondnature]

CHARACTERS: Keith + anyone willing to help
DATE: From the opening of the upper levels to the end of the mission (with caveats that conditions will change depending on overall game plot parameters)
WARNINGS: None.
SUMMARY: A purple bounty! Keith has decided to rename himself Robin Hood. Or, more accurately, he's stealing from the rich and giving to the poor. (mood music)

[All his life, Keith had always preferred action over words. Associating with other people can be difficult. In fact, it can almost be impossible when the going gets tough. Becoming a Voltron paladin had been an answer for him. He could help people. He could fight. He wouldn't have to think too hard about it all, because he could follow Shiro.

And then ... things changed. Things changed back home and things changed here, most recently as a member of Hathaway. There's a lot of baggage associated with that change, so Keith has been keeping his eye on a single prize. He doesn't know how to set up a new government or do diplomacy, but he does know about providing goods to those who need it and helping them out of a bad situation. He knows what to do to survive. Not everyone has that strength or the ability to have someone help them. Simply put: not everyone has a Shiro to help guide them toward the right path.

He's not going to fool himself into believing that he can be "a Shiro"—that's the problem with being him, right? But he knows he can do good. So, he hatches his plan, and calls in for assistance from his guildmates. It's a three prong plan, with different actions needed.

To find out that Keith is doing this, there are two ways. One, he spoke about it on the magitek network. And two, he's doing some set up in the hotel, and is probably stealing some stuff from there, too. The robots won't miss it. Probably.]

a: theft of goods

[Keith plans on overseeing all of the thefts, in part because he doesn't want any of his teammates to be caught unexpectedly.

He shows up at every point of theft in full Marmora gear: a black suit with purple lights, as well as a mask that conceals his face and gives him a voice that sounds like Keith, but comes out through a slightly robotic filter. It also has a helpful hood, because of course it does. Would it look cool otherwise? Probably not.

His targets are specific when it comes to theft: food. Clothing and other goods can be gained through other means, and probably should be. But food? Food is something that he can see that the upper levels aren't doing without.]

Try not to hurt anyone. Take the food and bring it to the agreed upon location. And keep your masks on. We can't risk being fugitives.

[Of course, there are also other versions of theft. Not all of them are as scheduled or efficient.]

b: trafficking of stolen goods

[When it comes to "trafficking," the parameters remain the same. Keep on a mask. Make sure no one gets hurt so there's less of an excuse to follow someone. Get everything from the upper levels to the lower levels quickly, and use designated locations that have been picked out along the way. Avoid surveillance at all costs.

The "trafficking" involves a lot of backpacks and hoods, so that people can hide that they have a bunch of food on them that's being carted down. Anything that's perishable is frozen before it's brought down. Keith figures that "freshness" isn't measured by whether it was frozen first. Or, well, he hopes not. He's not exactly the guy who cares if something's been marked as "previously frozen."

There's a final designation just before the depths of the lowest levels. That's where other goods, like blankets or boots or jackets, are kept waiting. They don't need to be snuck down as carefully, because there's no chance of them going bad. Plus, they were probably mostly acquired "legally."

Emphasis on those quotation marks.]

c. delivery of stolen goods

[Charity is far from a common thing for the people of the lower levels. Charity that could seem suspicious and involves stolen goods is even more difficult. How to get things out there? How to offer help? This is going to be the most difficult task: convincing people to take goods, convincing people that they deserve it, and most importantly, asking what else they might need.]

Take note of anything else they might want. We'll come back later with it. Or, uh, someone will.

[ooc: this is a purple bounty, and the different prompts are loose parameters. I am looking for a thread of at least ten comments so I can meet my bounty, but I figured this would be a fun thing for people to do!]

Comments

A-B???? ish

[forcevisions]

[ Rey has a respectable system set up at this point. She stays outside of the malls in her nice clothes and asks the men in their nicest apparel who look like they're ready to plow over anyone to do her a favor. And then she pushes the Force behind it, and no one thinks oddly of it when they come out of the store and hand her a shopping bag.

And then when she has a number of bags — rain boots, heavy jackets, all of it — that look like she's simply had a good day at the store, she slips around quietly to Keith's position and helps him strip those items out of their boxes and cram them into backpacks so they look less obvious being carried back into the mid- and lower levels. ]

What happens if you get stopped with this?

[ The backpack, she means. ]

I could stick with you instead of staying up here. Encourage the Vakdir to look the other way.

[ Or she could stay up here gathering more inventory — a little at a time, and never the same person twice. ]

[secondnature]

To tell you the truth ... I wasn't planning on getting caught. [But the question makes him change his body language. He knows he's been caught already, and he's barely past stage one of this whole operation. People down there need help, but he's terrible at talking his way out of a problem.

Punching someone? Yes. But he can't punch people if he wants to help ... other people. At least, there's no chance of him punching the entirety of the Vakdir.]

Let's try a run without the Force. You and me. If we need it, we only use it then. Okay?

[forcevisions]

[ These terms sound an awful lot like when Rey tries to convince Kylo he doesn't have to rely on subduing everyone with the Force for everything. She tries not to think too hard about the fact that Keith now has to do that with her. She's only suggesting it because she's gotten comfortable; not just because it's easier than the alternative.

And anyway, she only would have done it if things looked to be heading south anyway. So this is fine. She nods quickly. ]

Yeah, sure.

[ She pulls the drawstring on a backpack and buckles it closed. ]

Just stay close to me so I'll have the chance. I need to be up close to affect someone in that way.

[secondnature]

[Meanwhile, Keith wants to make sure they can run this route without the use of the Force. That's all. This entire operation will be useless if they can't go down the stairs (so to speak) without being stopped by a Vakdir.]

We won't always be running multiple people down this way. Maybe I should take a bag of my own, so we seem ... like we're a set.

[It might be two bags that are confiscated, but it's also two bags that move quickly.]

b

[damnpire]

[With a bit of fugitive status, D has taken a few measures to "change," for once. The cloaking device is handy, and it takes a majority of the high alert away. No one is looking for a tanned, somewhat Drakstaden-dressed man anyway.

It gives him an opportunity to assist Keith with moving goods. Stealing isn't exactly a preferred method for him, but he can pack-mule without tiring. This also allows him time to explore, to question others about the unrest with the Prime Minister.

When he approaches the drop-off before the lower levels, the hood of the newly acquired jacket bobs with an acknowledging nod to Keith. He brings the bag off his shoulder, now unburdened by ridiculous spaulders and a cloak, and he sets it down for Keith to inventory.]

Are you also looking for parts?

[secondnature]

To tell you the truth, I haven't decided yet. [That's the simple truth. Ciri had made sure he knew about one of the "doctors" who helped with cybernetics, but after looking into the guy, Keith eventually realized that it might be too much of a risk. The people down there should be getting proper treatment, not ... whatever they can get now.

Which definitely isn't "proper."]

It might be better to hold off on getting them that stuff until we have a doctor who can provide better treatment. I don't know if we can help with infections if things go wrong.

[damnpire]

Lundberg and Gunnar could work together, but I wouldn't advise it.

[Keith isn't the only one opposed to Lundberg's methods. They're too radical for his tastes, too self-interest. Gunnar, he's found, is a decent man, but he's not sure if Gunnar can wrangle Lundberg in.

The bag has mostly non-perishable food items. Cans, things that will last. It doesn't seem as if D has pilfered anything, probably because he doesn't need it.]

[secondnature]

Do you think one of them could provide safe cybernetics if we got them the proper supplies and facility? [It's worth asking about. Keith doesn't think he can work it into what he's doing just yet, but they might be able to facilitate it down the line, once people are fed and have proper clothes and aren't suffering from near-starvation.

In those conditions, their body will have a stronger immune system, too.]

c

[feytality]

[ well, that's why he has a negotiator along for the ride!!! or at least this is probably the best way maya can help out. ]

Will do! I'm guessing the answer is mostly gonna be food and medicine.... maybe some deluxe rumbles [ she means roombas. ] or something. Or maybe TV.... without the propaganda.

[ oksy maybe she's listing what she'd want. ]

[secondnature]

[Keith listens to her for a moment, and finally shakes his head. Maya is weird in the best of times, but the beginning of her statement sounded normal.

And then she got to the rumbles.

What the heck is a rumble?]

Uhhh—is a rumble some kind of food? Or a cybernetic?

[It sounds like it could be either.]

[feytality]

[ that's what he gets for lowering his guard to weirdness.]

You know! Those spinny circle robots who eat garbage! Super Dang Ronpas or something?

[ this is gonna be a looooong robin hood mission. ]

[secondnature]

They're living in squalor! You think they need special vacuum cleaners? Which, by the way, are called roombas. Roombas. How have you not learned that by now? [It ... isn't that Keith is mad, but ... Maya is so ridiculous that she can set him into frustrated disbelief mode rather quickly.]

B maybe into C?

[temperedavatar]

[Korra wasn't much help when it came to collecting data or using the technology of this world, but she was light on her feet, could lift a lot, and was fairly fearless. This made her pretty ideal for an operation like this and she was definitely on board with helping those less fortunate.

The first step is to make it from this level to the first checkpoint at one of the upper levels of the middle section. That's their first secured hide out and there are several patrols, cameras, and drones between her and that point. She keeps an ear out for movement, finding herself wishing she'd taken more time to learn from Toph when she had the chance. There were no spirit vines to tap into here at any rate so she was just going to have to rely on her ability to hear.]

The patrol should be past us soon.

[She tightens her grip on the bag of goods, mentally counting down. Korra looks around the corner and then signals with her free hand that they should start moving.]

[secondnature]

[Since he started beginning this "operation," Keith has been nothing short of relentless. He can't offer solutions for a government. He's able to do jailbreaks, but there are some varied opinions over whether someone is deserving of a jailbreak. And then there's just—everything else. But getting goods for the poor is easy. Their trip today largely involves perishables, so they need to move fast. Both of their bags are heavy, but Keith's is the heaviest, loaded up with a lot of preserved meat and ice to keep it even more preserved. One touch of the backpack, and it'll be obvious what's inside: food. And by now, it's likely that the trucks are reporting goods missing ...

Not that Keith cares. No one's starving up there. No one's getting sick and in desperate need of cybernetics so they can live their lives. No one's malnourished and dying, either from poor shelter or because the water always hits them last. Water and ... whatever else makes its way down.

Once he spots her signal, he gets moving, though he doesn't make it very far before he notices a nosy Vakdir poking around, trying to harass someone to ask if they've seen anything suspicious. Keith moves toward Korra quickly and yanks on her arm to draw her into a shadow alongside a local business run by nothing but robots.]

Can't hear what he's saying. But it might be about us.

[temperedavatar]

[On some level she knew this mission was going to be a great deal of starting and stopping...but even if she'd done better at patience in recent years that didn't make it any less frustrating. Probably because there was a part of her that was itching to take out the guards and just be done with it.

Of course, that would completely ruin the idea of stealth, so Korra holds back. She slips into the shadow alongside Keith, she strains to listen but also starts eyeing their surroundings. Maybe there's something she can bend in the opposite direction to give them an opening to move.]

It's not like they have a description. Do we just wait him out?

[secondnature]

They might not have a description, but they might begin to track our movements. [All of this depends on how good the Vakdir are at their jobs. Keith's good at stealth, and more than that, he's good at improvising on the fly. He may not have the best plans for the long-term, but he can think up something in the short term. He knew that his instinct to make the Vakdir ignore them in the most aggressive way possible was wrong ... so he did the opposite.

Is doing the opposite, to be more exact.]

I don't want to, but ... whoever's up there—you think they're in trouble?

A.

[datapoint]

[The blue silk Aloy wears at her throat makes for an effective mask, but she's too used to her red hair standing out not to be nervous about it. She glances at Keith's hood a little jealously, then takes a second to rearrange the silk so her hair is tucked under it as well. It's not exactly fashion-forward, but it hides her identity a little better.]

I don't see anyone yet. Are you sure you read the delivery times right?

[secondnature]

[If only Keith could induct everyone into his super secret alien organization so they could all have flashy costumes.

As it is, he looks in her direction. Without his face showing, there's not much to know what he's thinking. And he's too tense and ready to strike.]

I didn't read anything. I scouted everything out. That doesn't mean that everything will be on time. Up here ... I'd be surprised if anyone cared.

b:

[selfimage]

[ it almost seems like cheating.

Loki doesn't need a mask or a disguise, but shows up in his flashy jacket and golden diadem. to say that he stuck out like a sore thumb would be an understatement. however, when they start the mission Loki seems to know exactly what to do: the security cameras are blinded by illusion, drones detecting nothing, and parts of Loki flickering in and out of view depending on how he's feeling in his invisible jacket.

breaking into Asgard's dungeons is harder than playing mortal Robin Hood, and when it comes to stealing, he's an absolute pro.

Loki's already taken a few trips, and he lowers a bag from his shoulders, looking properly smug about the whole thing. ]

All in a good day's work—or night's work, rather.

[secondnature]

If I didn't know any better, I'd say that you're terrible at stealth. [That get up says it all. Keith knows better, however, and doesn't bother to say anything beyond that initial statement. Getting from one place to another is easy for someone like Loki. If anything, Keith knows he could do this whole operation on his own. Without Keith's involvement.

But then, he might forget to feed people. So, that's where Keith is necessary.

(Keith will one day make the connection that Loki should never be trusted with a pet.)

He strides over, conscious of any sounds outside or nearby, and opens up the bag, peering inside.]

How much of this came from actual people?

[selfimage]

[ a hint of a smile quirks on his lips, and watches as Keith opens the bag that was over his shoulder. ]

They won't miss anything. Not the way those on the lower levels are.

[ righteous theft, he was all about it. of course, Loki was all about using his questionable skills to make lives better. in fact, he's fairly proud of himself. the whole thing may be a bit dubious, but he always gets a little excited when he gets to break the rules. ]

[secondnature]

Just ... try not to take anything with technology. We don't know what stuff they might want to track here. [If tracking exists on anything back on his Earth and anywhere in space, he's willing to bet it could be put on just about anything here.

Especially if the poor people are bad. Or whatever. Keith hasn't sorted out that nuance.]

Unless ... you can disable it. Can you?

c (if you have room for one more)

[juniberries]

[things have been...tense, as of late. not only due to their stay on this planet to meet their mission's end, but on a personal end as well, and the last time she had talked to Keith she had, admittedly, ended their conversation rather curtly.

but having heard what Keith's been up to, through what she saw on the network and through what she's seen in passing in the hotel. it's a noble cause, and with herself being unable to make heads or tails of what to do with herself, decides to let bygones be bygones and (awkwardly) volunteer to help with a delivery upon bumping into him in the hotel's lobby.]

With a change of clothes, I can make multiple trips.

[she's alluding to her ability to change size and other small attributes of herself, enough to seem different enough to anyone passing by.]

And the mice have been making their own rounds in the lower levels themselves.

[secondnature]

[Things are awkward with Allura, and they're even more awkward because Keith had tried to talk to her. Lance had gotten the impression that Keith was the one who had made it difficult. But it wasn't. He was trying to listen. He was trying!

Of course, things are also awkward because she had, tangentially, influenced this decision. No matter what, Keith does listen. He doesn't always act, but he does hear what people want him to do. He can't just ignore that anymore. Maybe once upon a time he could, but those days are long gone. Shiro isn't all that matters. Allura matters. Lance matters. Rey matters. Loki matters. And the mission—the goal of Voltron—matters.

If Drakstaden put out a distress call in their universe, Keith knows that Voltron wouldn't hesitate to help.

But still ... Keith and Allura in a room together when they're tense is always awkward. Nothing has changed on that front. His body language is a weird cross of tense and uneasy, like he wants to be on guard but feels like it's unfair to be on guard. So, Keith.]

You don't want the mice to do deliveries, do you? [That's what he blurts out first. He just isn't thinking clearly, but ... well ... they're so small.]

[juniberries]

[in truth, she has little inclination as to the inspiration of his decision to play the part of do-gooder bandit, but she is wholly aware of the awkward tension the longer she remains in his presence.

it isn't the same she had felt when the team found out of his Galran heritage, but even still it remains nearly as palpable. but some of it does wane at his, well...thoughtless (to put it politely) statement. the corners of her mouth twitch a bit.]

No...I meant that they were more an extra set of ears.