I do not own any part of the Star Wars franchise.
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Beta read by MasterQwertster
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This is for "What Do You Mean Time Travel?!" by MasterQwertster on AO3. It is a plot bunny cage for Mandalorian time travel fix-it fics wherein Din (and friends) stumbles about and saves the galaxy. Despite not knowing much of anything about history, figures of importance, or politics. Usually I just give ideas and Beta read, but in the process of helping do chapter 13, "We'sa Stand Strong," I had one scene I just had to get out of my head.
Recommended you read that chapter first for better context.
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Scenes from a Helmet:
No Such Thing as Luck
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Ah, Jedi Teacher Vos," smiled Yoda. "What for us, do you have?"
There had been a little initial contention over Quinlan changing his title so Anakin was not calling him 'Master.' While some traditionalists had balked at the man not being shown the proper respect, Yoda had chuckled, and suggested 'Jedi Learner,' as they were all still learning, hmmm?
Thankfully, Aayla, Force blessed as she was, had recommended they ask Anakin for what he was comfortable with.
"Well, Masters," he began a touch nervously, fiddling with the stack of datapads in his hands. And if the Shadow was letting them see it, then it must be serious.
"Has Skywalker done something wrong?" Jedi Master Even Piell said sharply.
Quinlan's expression and posture shifted into the very image of a perfectly composed and emotionally controlled Jedi. "Not at all, Masters."
They all knew this was his equivalent of cursing vehemently at them.
"As I recall," Mace Windu smoothly said, "you were investigating gang activity in the lower levels."
"Yes, Master Windu," said Quinlan, relaxing a fraction into what they knew was respect. "Good practice for the little Sand Rat, I figured. Scope out a minor one that's mostly jumped up teens, so nothing too serious for him just yet. Except, well, we got lucky."
Jedi knew there was no such thing as 'luck.'
"One of them got into an accident or something, and everyone left their little hidey-hole to go check it out. Only ones left to watch it were too spiced out of their minds to notice if I went right up to them. Figure the others didn't realize how bad off they were. So we got a look around, and got enough to give to the cops to round 'em all up. Only Anakin happened to notice something was off about a wall, and found a hidden safe, and then figured out how to cheat the electronic lock to get it open. And what do we find but evidence they've got dealings with a senator? Using a minor gang to feed his addiction for spice and minors so it would be less likely to be noticed."
Despite their own self-control, none of the Jedi found shame in showing their distaste at the mention of minors. Doubtless it would fall to Yoda to sort out who got to volunteer for the senator and gangsters' arrests.
"Anakin played around with my datapad and the evidence, and we left copies for them, and took off with the original records."
"That is very good of Skywalker," conceded Ki-Adi-Mundi. "But it does not explain your presence here."
"Yeah, well," Quinlan hefted up a datapad. "That's my first report for the afternoon. See, the gangsters were heading back, so Anakin led me out a window. Took a roundabout route, while I felt something was off. Touched about, and found evidence of a murder. We looked around some more, and discovered signs a body had been disposed of in an abandoned building, but I got enough for a trail, and it led us back to another senator."
The attention of the Jedi Council was practically boring into him now. Two corrupt senators in an afternoon?
"Now getting away from the scene of this one wasn't so easy. But Anakin grabbed us a ride, and flew us off. Oh, don't give me those looks. We all know he's already a better pilot than me. Anyways, to get away he did cost me a few years of my life with this daredevil stunt and, eh, you can read it in my report," he hefted up a third datapad, "but I don't recommend eating while you do so. The point is, he stashed us in a back-alley, where I literally tripped and fell over more evidence— "
"Master Vos," cut in Windu. "How many senators are you bringing us evidence against from today's excursion? Eight?"
That was how many datapads the man was holding.
"No. Thirteen."
A tense silence fell.
This was... nearly unheard of. The sort of tales Jedi investigators dreamed of, even if it was further proof of how bad the Senate had become. Especially since it was quite plausible those politicians would sell out more in hopes of lighter sentences.
"What do you need of us?" asked Jedi Master Depa Billaba.
"We all know I'm good, but not that good. It was all Anakin.
"And I can't let all of this get connected back to the kid. The only thing worse than the officials not taking what we've found seriously, is if they do believe he helped me find it all. It's too much for him at that age. People all over will be keeping too close an eye on him afterwards, especially when the journalists get word of it. I'm hoping you can find other Jedi to take credit for it."
It would seem the Council had found its next source of migraines. At least this one wasn't likely to revel in the ability to provide them with more problems. Now they just needed to come up with a rotating list to attribute the migraine's actions to. Because migraine though he might be, Anakin Skywalker was still a child in their care, and they would not throw him to the howlrunners.
"You know," said Bilaba with a teasing smile, "I do believe this means you've beaten Qui-Gon's record for senatorial arrests in one day. As well as his tally for the last two months."
A Jedi doesn't fist-pump, a Jedi doesn't fist-pump, Quinlan reminded himself while trying to lock down his mental shields so not even a whisper of his emotions got out.
Yoda still cackled.
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And what MasterQwertster believes happened after the meeting:
Ani: Teacher?
Quinlan: Yes, Padawan?
A: So I was messing around on the Holonet... and found this *provides more evidence against corruption*
Q: Well, kriff. Good job, kid. Let me just... make this the Council's problem. Stay off the Holonet. At least for a little while, okay?
A: Yes sir!
