Chapter 10

The library was absolutely massive. Light poured through large glass windows that had the same pattern as the wings on the fairy statue. The effervescent sunlight illuminated the knowledge that was pent up in Cort's room. A polished wooden desk was in the center of the room. It was round and contained five terminals with state of the art computers. One wall was covered with intricately detailed, hand drawn maps. The other three walls contained bound volumes of books and computer disks, as well as numerous datapads. The entire room was at least two stories tall, with small lifts that could carry a person to the top shelves on the walls.

Obi-Wan craned his head back in awe. "I never saw this room before. Has it always been here?"

"Yes," Cort replied, obviously very proud of the library. "It houses the histories of many planets, including this one. It also contains the history of the Republic, records of wars and lost civilizations, and the literature of many different species and populaces. My family has kept this library a well-guarded secret because this much knowledge could easily be misused. I check on the information in here when I can, but mostly a few trusted advisors update the records in here on a regular basis. The wealth of information in this room is invaluable."

If Obi-Wan was in awe, Anakin was absolutely thunderstruck. His mouth hung slightly open as he walked around the room. "This place is amazing!"

"Here," Cort said, motioning for Anakin and Obi-Wan to stand within a circle that was on the floor. "I think you'll like this." He pressed a button on a small console near the circle, and the floor began to lift the trio towards the ceiling, leaving R2 to whistle at his young master.

The room grew dark as the platform came to a halt about three meters from the ceiling. Then, there was a slight whirring noise. Stars and planets began to appear all around them.

"It's a map of our galaxy," Cort explained to the pair. "This is what it looks like, or at least as far as astronomers and researchers have discovered. If you touch a planet or a moon, you'll be told it's name and any other information that you wish to hear." He smiled at this marvelous, interactive hologram. "It's my favorite part of this library."

Obi-Wan was speechless. Anakin was completely enthralled. He reached out his hand to touch a comet that went winging by overhead. Two glowing suns in the distance attracted his attention. He walked over on the platform to touch the brown sphere that orbited around them. His hand passed through it, but a voice overhead reverberated with the name of the planet.

"Tatooine: a desert planet of harsh climate with very little natural resources. The main occupation is moisture farming. The planet is mostly used as a pit stop by spacers and traders who frequent the port of Mos Espa."

Anakin didn't even flinch to hear his home planet spoken of in such a clipped, concise manner. I wonder what you're doing right now, Mom?

Obi-Wan noticed his pupil's momentary sadness and motioned for Cort to bring them back to the floor. The platform slowly rotated back to the ground as the star field dissipated from around them. Obi-Wan went over to a couch and sat down. Cort sat in a chair across from him, and Anakin joined his Master. It was time to get down to business, so Cort pushed a button on the table that was between them. The Jedi and Padawan soon found themselves watching news clips of all the terrorist attacks that had occurred. Cort skimmed through them, only playing the most vital or informative ones in order to save time.

The information that they received was mainly details that elaborated on what Cort's holo-message had told them earlier. Obi-Wan was appalled by the viciousness of the attacks. He would never fully comprehend why some people fell to such violence. The temptations of the Dark Side . . . he sighed to himself. One doesn't have to be Force sensitive to feel them. He shook his head.

"Cort, this is terrible. You should have asked for help sooner."

"I thought that our forces could handle this problem on their own. When the attacks first began, they were visibly the work of one unified faction, but there was no obvious leadership or motive behind the actions. Lately, though, the attacks have turned sinister, and the terrorists seem to have better resources as well. I was beginning to wonder if they were getting help from an outside, more powerful source. This is the latest attack that occurred." He reached out to the table console and keyed up the holo about the said attack.

Obi-Wan and Anakin abruptly found their eyes exposed to a bombsite. Smoke was rising from the ruins of a building and flames licked at what was left of the metal rafters. People were running around in circles, trying to aid those trapped in the fire, but to no avail. The wails of names being screamed and cries of help in numerous languages assaulted their ears. Obi-Wan was about to ask what kind of a building it had been, what it had housed when he saw a scorched sign in front of the smoldering mass. The sign was labeled colorfully in Basic with bright pictures, a stark contrast to the surrounding disaster. Alonian Community Medical Center. Obi-Wan drew in his breath sharply and looked at Cort. Dark shadows of regret hung in the prince's normally lively eyes.

"They attacked a hospital?" Obi-Wan asked increduously. He had heard of terrorist groups making random attacks, but never before of an attack on a hospital. He stared at Cort, and noticed for the first time just how hard it had been for him lately. Cort's shoulders were slumped but his jaw was set defiantly, his eyes blazing with hatred for the villains who would attack innocents. His fists were clenched into balls of white-knuckled hardness.

"Hey, Cort, calm down . . ."

"I should've been able to help them, Ben!" he said loudly, jumping up and striding over to the windows. He brought his arm up, and for a moment, Obi-Wan thought he was going to punch through the window. Instead, the arm came to rest tiredly on the glass, soon joined by a forehead circled with a gold band. The sun was setting outside, and the orange light cast a silhouette of the tired figure onto the carpet.

"I should have asked for help sooner," he said more calmly, his hand hanging at his left side, relaxing. "I thought we could handle it though."

"Stubborn to a fault. You always were Cort, and you haven't changed," Obi-Wan replied gently, rising from his seat.

Anakin had remained silent during the viewing of the news clips. The holos had shocked him, but he felt it better to let his Master do the talking. R2-D2 moaned softly when he saw that the prince felt so dejected. Anakin felt sorry for him, too. He soon found his way over to the window and stood by the brooding prince. He reached out and put a reassuring hand on the elegantly garbed arm.

"Don't worry, sir. We'll help you." He smiled up at the sorrowful face that turned to gaze at this optimistic soul. The Padawan offered a vote of confidence in his teacher. "If anyone can help find these people, Obi-Wan can."

"I know," Cort said softly, stooping down to the boy's eye level. "That's why I called him. I can trust him. I think I can trust you, too, Anakin."

"You bet, your highness!" Anakin replied, straightening up with pride.

"Nope," Cort said, standing up and wagging his finger. "You are now a friend of mine, and I never answer friends unless they call me Cort." He leaned forward and whispered as if he were involving Anain in a conspiracy. "I really don't like all of that royalty stuff."

"Alright, Cort. You can trust me, too," Anakin smiled.

"Good," Cort announced, showing his approval with a wide smile. "Now that we've taken care of that, let's move on to the next matter of business. Who's hungry? I am."

A rumble from the general area of one Obi-Wan Kenobi sent Anakin into a fit of giggles. Cort stifled his own laughs upon seeing the Jedi's embarrassed face.

"I think that makes two of us," Obi-Wan muttered, putting a hand to his stomach.

"M-me . . Ha-ha! . .t-too . . .ah ha Ha!" Anakin answered breathlessly, fighting the last of his giggles.

"Alright then!" Cort said, clapping his hands together. "Let's go get ready for the banquet. You two are my guests of honor!"