Star Wars_ Young Jedi Knights 12_ Return to Ord Mantell - Kevin J. Anderson [10]
Han Solo stopped in his tracks. His confident expression quickly faded.
"Czethros!" he said, a look of disbelief in his eyes.
The sinister-looking man lifted his chin, his gaze frozen in a metal glare. "Han Solo," he said in a rough, gravelly voice. "I knew if I waited long enough, you'd return to Ord Mantell."
Though Han fought to keep a calm expression on his face, Jacen sensed the sudden wave of apprehension rippling through his father.
The guards looked tense, ready to fire.
Han had long since stopped carrying a blaster at his hip-a good thing, Jacen supposed; otherwise they'd probably be in the middle of a shoot-out right now. His father had been hoping for a calm family outing while he did a bit of official work for the New Republic as a special guest at the famous race. They hadn't been prepared for anything like this.
Then Czethros stepped forward and surprised them all by extending his thickly gloved hand. The skin on his face rippled as his lips twisted in a smile. "Welcome back to Ord Mantell, Solo. A lot has changed since you and I were... opponents those many-years ago."
Eyes narrowing just a fraction, Han Solo reluctantly slid his hand into the former smuggler and bounty hunter's grip. "Uh, yes... that's right,"
he said, still cautious. Jacen felt the thick uneasiness in the air.
He, Jaina, and Anakin looked at each other in confusion.
"Back then, I was an officially licensed bounty hunter. You were a posted Imperial target," Czethros said. "Nothing personal, of course.
No hard feelings."
"Of course." Han flashed the metal-visored man one of his most charming lopsided grins. "I thought after all those years in the spice mines you might, uh, hold a grudge."
"It's the nature of the bounty-hunting business," Czethros said. His laser-red cyber-eye drifted left and then right. "I used every trick to apprehend you, and you used every trick to get away. You just happened to have one more trick in your repertoire than I did-at the time, at least."
He stepped back toward the gathered guards. "But I!m no longer in that line of work. I have a thriving business here on Ord Mantell. In fact, I pulled a few strings to get you selected as Grand Marshal for the Blockade Runners Derby. Since you'd settled down and weren't likely to be one of our contestants this year, I thought you might want to participate in some small way... if only to see what you're missing."
"Thanks, Czethros," Han said, polite but uncertain. "I appreciate the gesture." Moving in unison, the formal guards spun about on their heels.
Their machine precision reminded Jacen eerily of trained stormtroopers.
"I've assigned this honor guard to escort you to your quarters, Solo.
Tomorrow is the big opening rally, and the Millennium Falcon will be the
'pace craft." You'll run through the course before any of the actual contestants. The honor is always given to a pilot who has demonstrated great bravery and skill... in the past." Shoulders back, head held high, Han walked close to the former bounty hunter.
"Well, it's all just a bunch of show, if you ask me. Limp gun dark noodles."
"But the spectators love it," Czethros said, without looking at him.
"Remember your old glory days, when you were one of those hotshot pilots.
.. a long time ago?"
Han stiffened, but said nothing as Czethros continued. "The course changes each year due to orbital mechanics, and we've mapped out a particularly convoluted obstacle path. I think it will make this year's Derby the most exciting ever."
"I'm familiar with the routine," Han said in a clipped voice. "I've won the race three times, remember."
Jaina and Han Solo spent the next morning in the docking bay facilities fully reconditioning the Falcon's hyperdrive and coolant systems, as well as its maneuvering jets.
When Jaina assured