The Phantom Menace by Brooks Terry

Author:Brooks, Terry [Brooks, Terry]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

by the people of Mos Espa. Lifting his pudgy arm in greeting, he basked in the crowd’s appreciative roar. Gardulla muttered her approval, nodding her neckless head on the end of a thick, shapeless body, slitted eyes glittering. A coterie of humans and aliens filed in behind the two Hutts, guests of Mos Espa’s rulers on race day, a coveted designation. A line of slave girls of varying species came last, chained together, there for the amusement of those who had chosen freely to attend. Below, the Podracer pilots formed a line facing the royal box and on command bowed deeply in recognition of and to pay homage to their benefactor. “Chowbaso! ”

Jabba

rumbled, his deep voice echoing through the sound enhancers and out across

the flats. “Tam ka chee Boonta rulee ya, kee maid ahdrudda du wundee!

Welcome!” The crowd roared some more, arms and flags waving madly.

Horns

sounded as Jabba began his introduction of the racers. “Kubba tee.

Sebulba

tuta Pixelito!” The Dug, standing immediately next to Anakin, rose on his back legs and waved to the stands. A band played wildly in support, and Sebulba’s fans and anxious bettors depending on the odds that favored the Dug cheered and shouted in response. One by one, Jabba recognized the Podracer pilots. Gasgano. Boles Roor. Ben Quadinaros. Aldar Beedd.

Ody

Mandrell. Xelbree. Mars Guo. Clegg Holdfast. Bozzie Baranta. Wan Sandage.

Anakin listened to the names, shifting anxiously, eager to begin. A glance over his shoulder revealed Kitster at work attaching the Radon-Ulzers to his

Pod with the Steelton cables, checking the fastenings with sharp tugs.

“…Mawhonic tuta Hok,” Jabba boomed. “Teemto Pagalies tuta Moonus Mandel. Anakin Skywalker tuta Tatooine…”

Applause burst from the crowd, though it was not as enthusiastic as it had been for Sebulba or Gasgano or several of the others. Anakin waved in

response, eyes traveling over the thousands gathered, his mind already out in the flats.

When he turned to walk to his racer, his mother was standing in front of him. Her worn face was calm and determined as she bent down to give him a

hug and a kiss. Her eyes were steady as she backed him off, her hands gripping his shoulders, and she could not quite mask the worry reflected there.

“Be safe, Annie,” she told him.

He nodded, swallowing. “I will, Mom. I promise.”

She smiled, warm and reassuring, and moved away. Anakin continued on, watching Kitster and Jar Jar unhitch the eopies so that Kitster could lead them away. R2-D2 rolled up to Anakin and beeped with approval and reassurance. C-3PO solemnly warned against the dangers of driving too fast

and wished his master well. All was ready.

Jar Jar patted the boy on the back, his billed face a mask of worry and consternation. “Tis very loony, Annie. May da Guds be kind, me friend.”

Out of the corner of his eye Anakin saw Sebulba wander over from his own racer and begin examining the boy’s. Hitching along on his spindly legs,

he worked his way around the Radon-Ulzers with undisguised interest.

Stopping finally at the left engine, he reached up suddenly and banged hard

on a stabilizer, glancing around quickly to see if anyone had noticed.

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