Kossi sat in his small office within the machinist shop, his attention fixed on the viewscreen mounted on the wall. The news outlet displayed a headline that caught his eye: "Accusations Surrounding Leia Organa, Stepping Down as Senator." Intrigued, he leaned forward, his brow furrowed.

The news anchor's voice filled the room, detailing the allegations of Leia Organa being the secret child of Darth Vader, the notorious Sith Lord. Kossi's face twisted with skepticism as he shook his head. "You can't trust those politicians these days," he muttered under his breath, reaching over to switch off the viewscreen.

Just as he turned it off, the door to his office swung open, and Ben walked in, his tools clinking in the bag slung over his shoulder. Kossi looked up, giving Ben a nod of acknowledgment. "Hey there, Ben. Another day of hard work behind us, eh?"

Ben returned the nod, a hint of exhaustion in his eyes. "Those speeder engines were more stubborn than I expected."

Kossi chuckled, patting a nearby workbench. "That's what I like to hear. You're becoming quite the skilled machinist, my boy. You may go now."

Ben gathered his tools and prepared to leave for the day. He turned to Kossi. "Thanks, Kossi. I'll see you tomorrow."

Ben made his way out of the shop and onto the bustling streets of Corvan Prime. He followed the winding path to a popular cantina situated on the lower levels of the city, a place where locals and visitors alike sought refuge and camaraderie.

The moment he entered, the cantina owner, a young and charismatic woman named Selena, greeted him with a warm smile. "Ah, Ben! Good to see you again. How was your day at the shop?"

Ben returned her smile. "Busy, as always. Managed to fix everything that was on the pallet for today. Kossi seems to be impressed with my progress."

Selena led him to a booth tucked away in a cozy corner of the cantina. As they settled in, she leaned forward with a grin, genuine curiosity in her eyes. "I see somethin' goin' on. Tell me, Ben, what are you really up to? Do you want to work at a fun job? You don't want to be working on dirty speeder parts all day."

Ben hesitated, caught off guard by the question. "I... I'm not sure what you mean, honestly," he replied with a hint of uncertainty and cautiousness. "I've been so focused on work that I haven't given it much thought."

Selena chuckled softly. "Well, take your time. Let me fetch your drink, and you and I will have that talk when I come back."

As Ben sat alone at the table, waiting for his drink, the atmosphere in the cantina began to change. The raucous laughter and friendly banter were disrupted by the sound of a scuffle. Two heavily intoxicated Weequay hunters started a brawl, their drunken antics drawing the attention of the entire room.

In the chaos, they stumbled towards Ben, bumping into him and invading his personal space. Their eyes fixated on him with a dangerous glint.

"What you lookin' at, boy," one of the hunters said.

Ben, unsure of how to diffuse the situation, tried to step back, but they pushed him forcefully, sending him sprawling onto the floor. As he lay there, disoriented and vulnerable, a figure suddenly burst into the cantina. The cantina fell into an eerie silence as the mysterious figure raised his blaster, aiming it at the two drunken troublemakers. Without a word, a powerful blast echoed through the air, striking both aggressors, who crumpled to the ground.

Who was this person, and why had they come to Solo's aid?

Ben's gaze shifted from the fallen hunters to the enigmatic savior who had intervened on his behalf. Their eyes briefly locked, and in that fleeting moment, Ben knew he had seen this figure before.

"Ren," Ben said to himself.

Before Ben could process further, the mysterious figure swiftly turned on his heel and swiftly exited the cantina, leaving behind an air of mystery. The cantina owner, Selena, rushed to Ben's side, helping him up from the floor with a concerned expression.

"Ben, are you alright? What happened?" Selena asked, her voice filled with genuine worry.

Ben, still trying to gather his thoughts, replied with a mixture of confusion, "I... I'm not entirely sure. Those two drunks started a fight, and then this man came out of nowhere and saved me."

Selena nodded, her eyes narrowing in contemplation. "Well, it seems like you've caught the attention of someone intriguing, my friend. You're lucky he stepped in when he did. Do you know this guy?"

"No," Ben nodded.

As the chaos in the cantina settled, Selena guided Ben back to his table, assuring him that everything was under control. She brought him his drink, the glass clinking softly on the table's surface.

"You know, Ben," Selena began, her tone filled with warmth, "if you ever find yourself in need of work or a change of pace, you'd be welcome to join our team here at the cantina. We could use someone like you."

Ben mustered a grateful smile, appreciating Selena's offer. "Thanks."

"Busy day, huh? The city's been buzzing like a swarm of gizka," Selena remarked.

Ben chuckled softly, a hint of exhaustion in his voice. "You have no idea. Those speeder engines gave me a run for my money."

She laughed, the sound melodious amidst the ambient chatter of the cantina. "Well, you do have the magic touch, they say. So, Ben, tell me something. Where are you from?"

Ben's eyes crinkled at the corners as he grinned. "Chandrila. I grew up there."

Selena's eyes widened playfully. "Chandrila, huh? Aren't you all supposed to be diplomats and scholars? You don't strike me as the diplomatic type."

Ben chuckled again, the lines of tension in his shoulders easing. "Believe it or not, not all Chandrilans fit the same. Some of us prefer wrenches to speeches."

Selena leaned back, her laughter filling the air. "Right. Well, I can see that. You're the kind of guy who'd rather tinker with a hyperdrive than shake hands with politicians."

Ben's smile softened, a fondness evident in his gaze. "You got that right."

Curiosity danced in Selena's eyes as she leaned forward again, her tone gentler now. "So, Ben, you mentioned Chandrila, but what about family? Do you have any?"

Ben's expression flickered for a moment, his thoughts racing. He had to be careful, to keep his true origins hidden for the safety of those he cared about. He let out a sigh, masking his emotions. "My parents... they died when I was young. It's just been me for a while."

Selena's expression softened with empathy, her hand reaching across the table to rest atop his. "Oh, Ben. I'm so sorry to hear that. But hey, you've made quite a life for yourself, haven't you?"

Ben nodded, his eyes a mixture of gratitude and melancholy. "I'm doing my best."

Selena's warm smile returned, and she shifted the conversation with a lighthearted tone. "Alright then, let's steer away from the heavy stuff. Tell me, what's your favorite thing about Corvan Prime?"

Ben's mood lightened as he considered the question. "The energy of the place. It's like a constant symphony of life. And I've got to say, the pod-racing is something else. You can feel the excitement in the air."

Selena's eyes sparkled with enthusiasm. "Oh, you're into pod-racing, huh? You should come by during the Galactic Grand Prix. It's a sight to behold, trust me."

Ben's interest was piqued. "The Galactic Grand Prix? I've heard about it, but I've never seen one."

Selena leaned in, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Well, consider yourself invited. My private balcony has the best view in the city. You'll get a front-row seat to all the action."

A genuine smile tugged at Ben's lips. "Thank you. I'd like that."

Their conversation flowed effortlessly, topics ranging from favorite cantina drinks to the most peculiar customers Selena had encountered over the years. Time seemed to slip away as they laughed and shared stories, the bond between them growing stronger with each passing moment.

Ben leaned back with a curious smile. "I told you about me. Now tell me about you."

Selena's expression turned slightly nostalgic as she looked away, her gaze focused on a distant memory. "I was born on Corellia. My father worked in the Imperial shipyards there. Those massive behemoths they used to churn out, he had a hand in building them."

Ben acted a little surprised. "Imperial shipyards?"

Selena nodded, a hint of sadness in her smile. "It was a tough time. My mother disappeared when I was young, and my father threw himself into his work. I barely saw him. Not long after, I ran away from Corellia and ended up on a distant planet. I worked any job I could find, just to make enough money to leave and find a better place. Eventually, I made it here to Corvan Prime."

Ben asked. "How did you end up here?"

Selena's smile brightened a touch of pride in her voice. "Well, it wasn't easy, that's for sure. But I saved up enough credits to get myself a ride here. Something about the energy of this place drew me in. I worked hard, learned the ropes, and managed to open up this cantina. I wouldn't trade it for anything."

Her journey from the Imperial shipyards to the bustling cantina on Corvan was a testament to her spirit.

Eventually, Selena rose from her seat, a glint of mischief in her eyes. "Alright, Ben. I've wasted enough of your time. I need to tend to my other guests. But remember, next time you're thirsty for some lively conversation, you know where to find me."

Ben stood as well, his grin mirroring hers. "Thanks for the drink and the company."

With a friendly wave, Selena moved back behind the bar, and Ben made his way out of the cantina.

Making his way quickly through the lively streets of Corvan, Ben headed towards the spaceport where his ship awaited him. His mind buzzed with questions about Ren and why he had come to his aid. The encounter left him with a lingering sense of danger and an itch for answers.

A sense of unease settled over him as he approached the ship. He knew he couldn't share this particular experience with Luke. The memory of Ren's gaze lingered in his mind, the brief exchange hinting at a world of secrets and unknown motives.

Slipping into the pilot's seat, Ben hesitated before activating the ship's systems. He leaned back, his fingers tapping thoughtfully on the console. Luke's warnings echoed in his thoughts, reminding him of the importance of discretion, safeguarding their identity, and the safety of the Jedi academy.

As the ship's engines hummed to life, Ben's worry deepened, leaving him with a singular thought...

What would happen next?