Chapter X
2249
Garth
Serious Research
When Garth Got back to the base, the barracks were abuzz with the news that the new library just outside the marine base was finished. It was called the F.I.L.E., and it was rumored that the library contained all the information in the universe! Of course this is fantastic, but all the information in the universe could trigger much havoc…
When this amazing news reached Garth, an idea struck him. Maybe I can get into that library and use the things I remember about my birthplace and the information in the library to discover what my hometown's name is. It might be tough though.
Garth soon learned that to gain access to the library, you must first get the consent of a higher-up. That is how Garth came upon the sergeant.
For the next few days, Garth went around the base looking for a higher-up to give him admission to the library. His efforts were to no avail. Until one kindly sergeant heard he was trying to get in. Her name was Kerry Free. When Garth came to her, the answer changed…
Garth had nearly given up by now. He came to the sergeant and sighed:
"May I have the permission to go to the Federal Informational Library of Education?"
"You mean the F.I.L.E.?" she rummaged around in her uniform and finally came up with a piece of paper and a pen. She was a short, messy person with large, round spectacles that made her look invariably surprised, silly, and insouciant. "What's your name?"
"Garth Elrick." murmured Garth.
She scribbled wildly on the page and gave it to Garth.
"There you go. Just give this to the guard at the library and you're in. By the way, my name is Kerry Free."
"Thank you ma'am." said Garth fighting back a snicker. He could barely believe she had let him go.
Garth went to the library on his break and presented his note.
"I have permission to go in." said Garth.
"Let's see here," the guard said. "it says: 'I, Kerry Free, marine sergeant, hereby give Garth Brave permission to enter the Federal Informational Library of Education. Thank you.
Sincerely,
Kerry Free'
" Well kid, if it weren't for the signature, I honestly wouldn't believe ya. But, Kerry Free or not, you can still go in."
"Thank you."
Inside was an enormous room with hundreds of shelves, all at least twenty feet high! There was a desk to the left of the door. To the right of the door were some comfy looking chairs.
Now, I remember the soldiers in the streets wearing green, like me…
Garth ended up looking under WARS AND DISPUTES. I also remember my mom saying that she didn't want me to play outside because the soldiers might hurt me. She said that they didn't like our religion. Garth finally decided upon Ishbal: A Dispute in Religion By Ed-Rose L. Mustang.