The Once and Future Ben: The Tale of Ben Quadinaros
| Author: | Marcel Ryan |
|---|---|
| Series: | Tales from the Boonta Eve Classic |
| Length: | 6,047 words |
| Source: | AO3 |
| Publication Date: | October 23, 2024 |
| Timeline Placement: | 32 BBY |
| Canon Tier: | F |
| Preceding: | Following: |
|---|---|
| "Stardust: The Tale of Boles Roor" | "Loser Take All: Dud Bolt's Tale" |
"The Once and Future Ben: The Tale of Ben Quadinaros" is a short story by Marcel Ryan. It is the second tale in the Tales from the Boonta Eve Classic anthology, and was first published on AO3 on October 23, 2024.
The story centers around Ben Quadinaros, and the unlikely events surrounding his entry into the Boonta Eve Classic.
Blurb
After accepting a foolish bet, amateur Ben Quadinaros signs up as a podracing contestant in the Boonta Eve Classic. Before the race is about to begin, he starts to panic and realizes he is in way over his (sizable) head. He decides to take a walk and loses himself in the deserts of Tatooine. In doing so, he makes a new friend and finds himself in the process.[1]
Plot Summary
After a few too many glasses of juri juice, Ben Quadinaros heckles Boles Roor at the Pre-Boonta Eve Concert. Roor bets five million wupiupi that Quadinaros would be too cowardly to enter the race. In an attempt to preserve his pride, Quadinaros decides to enter the race to prove Roor wrong.
Regretting his rash decision, Quadinaros leaves the podracing hangar and walks through the streets of Mos Espa. He makes his way to the outskirts of town, and eventually into the desert. He bungles an attempt to vent his frustration by kicking a large boulder, sending Quadinaros reeling to the ground face-first. With sand in his eyes and the twin suns of Tatooine baring down hard on him, Quadinaros attempts to crawl his way back to Mos Espa. After growing delirious from dehydration, he faints several meters away from a silver starship.
Obi-Wan Kenobi and Quarsh Panaka assist Quadinaros, giving him bacta and water. After a lengthy discussion, Kenobi ultimately tells Quadinaros he must think for himself, and live life on his own terms, regardless of anyone else's thoughts. Quadinaros decides then and there to remain in the race. As the Toong heads back to Mos Espa, Kenobi remarks that he "quite likes" the name "Ben."
After Quadinaros returns to the arena, he readies himself for the race. However, his podracer stalls. Soon after, a complete systems failure causes his racer to explode. While disappointed he wasn't able to participate in the race, Quadinaros was pleased he still remained alive. Once the race ends, Quadinaros and Ebe Endocott sit together with Boles Roor, who is visibly frustrated at having to honor the bet he made the night before.
Appearances
Characters
- Ben Quadinaros
- Ebe Endocott
- Boles Roor
- Obi-Wan Kenobi
- Quarsh Panaka
- Qui-Gon Jinn (Mentioned only)
- Ratts Tyerell (Mentioned only)
- Anakin Skywalker (Mentioned only)
- Gasgano (Mentioned only)
- Aldar Beedo (Mentioned only)