The whole situation is unsettling. You’re of two minds about what to do right now. On one hand, you really want to figure out what’s going on, hence your current willingness to fight through the aura of disquiet the ship gives off in order to explore it. On the other hand, your good sense tells you that if it feels wrong, it probably is wrong, and therefore you should probably speak with Master Masbau before doing anything stupid.

By the time class is over, you’ve made up your mind; you’re going to resist the temptation to poke around until you’ve spoken with Master Masbau. After all, he specifically told you to come to him “the next time you have that dream.” Technically, you didn’t dream it again, but you’re pretty sure he would still want to know about it.

So, your next session of meditation sees you back to clearing your Bloodlust. You’re in the same meditation chamber from an hour ago and the cushion still retains the memory of your butt. You’ve brought with you a small knife, approved for your use by Master Masbau. You lay down a couple of napkins taken from the breakfast table, then place the knife upon it. Pulling an alcohol wipe out of your pocket, you rip open the packaging and give the knife a thorough rubbing to sterilize the edge. Carefully, you position the knife above your hand and close your eyes.

You find the site of your Bloodlust quickly, familiar with it after so many sessions of attempting to clear it. With your senses, you give it a quick probe to check its growth, finding it to be not much larger than before. Fortunate. It seems that the longer you hold it at bay, the less potent it becomes. This will make the task easier.

You lower the knife just until it’s barely touching the skin of your left index finger, on the knuckle like last time. Bracing yourself, you give a quick pull, nicking the skin and drawing the slightest amount of blood. Hissing in pain, you drop the knife on the napkins you brought then bring the hand back around to begin the application of Force Stanch.

Turning your attention back to the Bloodlust, you drive the Stanch directly into its core. The surface of the thing ripples and you half expect it to start screaming, but all it does is sit there, warp-stuff boiling away, banished back to the Immaterium. Well, this has been successful.

Something’s missing though. The feeling you get when you clear warp-taint is absent! Strange…

You’d almost been looking forward to it — that pleasant feeling of your metaphysical load being lightened. What happened? Is it because you directed your Force Stanch at the Bloodlust? You open your eyes, and pick up the knife again. Wiping it down with the napkins and then the alcohol wipe, you hold it above your hand again, this time positioned above your middle finger. Another quick slice, and you’re bleeding again. You keep your warp-eye trained on the area as you apply another use of Force Stanch.

It’s clearing the warp-taint just fine… but, again, you don’t feel your load lightening. Why?

Knife back in your hand. You don’t waste time disinfecting it, though. The Force Stanch will handle that anyways. A cut on your ring finger this time and you try it against the Bloodlust again.

You don’t bother clearing the Bloodlust properly, mainly focusing on the effect of the Force Stanch. There! You felt it, but only briefly. The hint of the weight on your soul disappearing, but then instantly replaced. There’s something replacing the warp-taint!

You glare at the tumor of Bloodlust. Well, it’s pretty clear what’s going on. This diabolical thing finds yet another way to be a nuisance. You’re going to stomp this thing into the ground!

Another use and you’re getting close! You can feel it! But… ow. Your fingers are really hurting now. You’ve also spent quite a long time in this meditation chamber. As much as you want to finish the job, you’ve spent way too much time here. Usually, it takes weeks just to clear as much as you just did in one sitting. You’re tired, your fingers hurt, you need some water, and you need use of the ‘fresher.

You gather everything up and bundle it into your robe, then leave the room. You need to clean yourself up. Lunch and your next lessons are soon.

≡][≡ ⬦⬦⬦ ≡][≡

“Xena, you’ve been holing yourself up in the meditation rooms again, haven’t you?”

You look up at Tera. Actually look up, that is. She’s standing on the chair next to you, hands on her hips and glaring down at you like some sort of villain from a holo-film. Her robes sway gently in the breeze generated by Initiates passing by.

Shaking your head, you look back at your notes from the lesson. Master Shima lectured once again on the Naboo Crisis, attempting to tie it to the political turmoil going down right now. You’ve been tracing the paths of taxes and protests across the news and comparing it to the information that Master Shima presented earlier. From what you can tell, he’s correct. The Naboo Crisis is directly related to the Separatist Crisis of the present day. The divide between the Outer Rim and the Core Worlds grows ever wider, and the tangled politics of the Republic Senate only serve to push the sides apart even further.

Putting down your pen, you look up at Tera again. She’s correct. Ever since all the warp stuff happened all those months ago, you spent more and more time frequenting the meditation chambers. For good reason though! But, do you really want to explain why to Tera, or your other friends? As far as they know, you’ve either been deepening your connection with the Force like a good little Initiate, or you’ve been using it as an excuse to take extended naps. Do you really want to bother them with your worries and issues? After all, you’ve been working hard to solve them yourself. These are your burden to deal with, not theirs. You already have Master Masbau to support you in this too.

“Tera, you shouldn’t stand on the chairs. It’s not safe.”

“Hmpf. Don’t change the subject.” She hops down anyway, then continues. “You’re almost never around outside of lessons and meals.”

“I did some sparring with you and Nyine earlier.”

“That doesn’t count. That’s just more practice! I want to do something fun!”

You give her a quizzical look. “That’s not fun?”

“...No, it is fun. I just want to do something else with you too.”

“Like what?”

“I don’t know. Anything is fine. Just not more sparring.”

You think for a bit. You’ll have to put off speaking with Master Masbau for a bit if Tera’s going to accompany you. But, he might be busy today anyway. He did mention that he might have something going during the time you would meet normally today. You do have a few other things you want to do that she can tag along for, though.

“I’ve been meaning to go find out more about the Trials. Do you want to come with me?”

“Where? Who’re you going to ask?”

Hmm. Good questions. A few things come to mind…

“How about we talk to a Padawan? Maybe there’s somebody who’ll be willing to chat with us.”

Tera thinks about it for a moment, then nods in agreement. “That’s still not very fun, Xena. But, I guess it’ll be important. But, we’re going to do something actually fun afterwards!”

“Alright, alright. We’ll go after dinner, okay?”

“Okay.”

≡][≡ ⬦⬦⬦ ≡][≡

What you didn’t tell Tera is that you do technically have a bit of free time between your physical training lesson and dinner. You could spend the time hanging out with her or spend it on doing more meditation, but you really want to visit the Halls of Healing. You really want to learn Force Purification, especially after your latest experiences.

Injuring yourself in order to effectively use Force Stanch is not ideal. It hurts. It’s mildly dangerous. It straight up sucks. If you could use Force Purification to do the same thing, then you’re absolutely going to go and learn it. Who knows, maybe it’ll be more effective? After all, Force Stanch isn’t even purposed toward “purification.” Force Purification, on the other hand, literally has it in the name!

And so, you find yourself wandering down to the medical wing after training, not even having bothered to shower first. What? You can do it later! You don’t smell that bad, right?

The last time you were here was when you had your warp-dream. That was not the most pleasant of experiences. And so, you proceed with a bit of trepidation. Visiting the Halls of Healing almost never means anything good. But, you push onwards for you have a much more positive goal.

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

As you approach, you hear the murmuring of calming voices and smell the cloying scent of antiseptic. At the service desk are two secretaries, the emblem of the Jedi Medical Corps on their nametags.

“Hello there, Youngling. Do you have an appointment?” The Pantoran on the right — Riss Camoida according to her name tag — peers over the desk at you, giving you a welcoming smile.

“Ah. Um,.” you stammer. “I actually just wanted to talk to a healer. About learning healing stuff. Is anybody free right now?”

“Hmm.” She clicks away at her keyboard for a moment. “ Master Corr appears to be free right now. However, if something comes up, you will depart. She must be allowed to perform her duties first and foremost.”

“Understood.”

“Very well, Youngling. Roh, could you get the door for her? Thank you. Youngling, go down the main hallway and take the third right. Corr’s office is the first door down. It’s marked with her name.”

“Thank you! Have a good day!”

“You too, Youngling.”

Following the instructions, you find yourself in front of the door. Two-thirds of the way up is a cheerfully decorated nameplate, covered in smiling stickers and doodles of happy looking syringes. Odd taste, but to each their own. In the center is the name “Alba Corr.”

You give a small knock on the door, but hear nothing. You knock a bit harder. The faint sound of a yelp and something clattering against the linoleum floor causes you to wince, but you try to keep the apologetic look off your face when you open the door at the “come in!” from within.

“I’m sorry for startling you Master Corr. My name is Xena. I’d like to ask a few questions, if you have the time.”

“Oh, don’t worry!” she says, her voice vibrating with the natural gurgling tone of the Mon Calamari species. “I should have been paying more attention anyway! I even missed the notification that Riss sent me.”

She leans down, and whispers to you, “Don’t tell anyone about that, alright? I’ll give you a sticker if you don’t!”

“Um, I won’t.”

“Wonderful!” She reaches into a nearby drawer and pulls out a handful of stickers. Fumbling with them for a moment, she rips one off of its backing and adheres it to your cheek, dropping the rest in the process.

Mon Calamari are not well known for their dexterity, after all.

“Thank you?”

“You are most welcome?” she says, mimicking your tone. At your frown, she starts laughing while peeling another sticker. Leaning forward, she pastes it to your other cheek.

“Perfect! Aww, you’re so cute when you pout like that!”

…You’re not sure if you love her or hate her.

“Now then, what can I do you for? I suppose this is an interrogation now, huh? I swear I didn’t do anything wrong!”

You hold back a sigh, then speak. “Master Corr, could you teach me Force Purification?”

“Straight to the point! Well, I suppose I should get serious then. Why do you want to learn it?”

She leans forward, turning her head such that one of her bulging eyes stares you straight in the face.

“It could be useful. I’ve learned Force Stanch, but it’s not always appropriate to use. Being able to purify my— I mean, being able to purify something other than open wounds would be really useful.”

“Indeed! But, what need does an Initiate have to learn Force Purification or Force Stanch? Are you seeking to join the Medical Corps?”

“Err—”

This is your chance to ask for more information about the Medical Corps! Might as well do so while you’re here.

“—maybe? I don’t know too much about it though. Or about the Service Corps in general. I’d like to know more if you’re willing to tell me. But, I’d still like to learn Force Purification even if I don’t end up going for the Medical Corps. It’ll be useful at some point, I think. No matter what branch I end up in, or if I end up as a Padawan, I think I’ll be able to make use of it. The more I learn now, the more prepared I’ll be for my Trials too.”

“So admirable! Very well, I’ll teach you. But, you need to stop cutting yourself. That’s no good at all.”

You glance down at your fingers, then look back at her guiltily.

“It was just for practice! With Force Stanch!”

“Hmm. I’ll believe you. This time…” she says, trailing off menacingly. The effect is ruined when she grins at you a second later.

You’re not sure what to say to that.

Without warning, she snatches up your hand in hers, dragging it upwards. You stand awkwardly, arm held up above your head while she examines the scabs on your knuckles. Clicking her tongue, she wraps her webbed fingers around your fingers, concealing them from sight. In your Force sense, you feel a vortex in the Force as she frowns in concentration.

After another beat, she lets go. Fingers tingling, you bring your hand back down and examine it. As you expected, the scabs are all gone and not even scars remain. It’s as if your wounds were never there.

“Could I learn that too?”

“Maybe if I have extra time. As for teaching your Force Purification, just come around this time or during lunch. I’m technically off shift at this time, but my excellent services are always in demand, so I may be called away to care for a patient.”

“Thank you, Master” you say gratefully.

“Ha! Already calling me ‘Master!’ Perfect! Hey, if you pass the Initiate Trials, maybe I’ll take you as my apprentice. That is, if you’re still interested in doing healing work. If you end up in the Medical Corps, I’ll definitely take you under me too!”

Well. That’s a rather generous offer. That’s…

You’ve just met this woman, and she’s already offering to take you under her wing? She’s either really shady, or just really weird. Either way, it’s still an amazing opportunity. But, then again, there’s Master Masbau… He’ll definitely take you as an apprentice if you ask, right? So right now, the options are apprentice to a strange healer, or apprentice to the Master you’ve known your whole life. Hmm.

You’ll at least keep her offer in mind.

“Thank you very much, Master Corr. I will definitely keep your generous offer in mind!”

“My goodness! You’re just so cute! So polite!” She reaches over and pats you on the head, causing you to yelp in surprise and outrage. Pushing her hands away, you look up at her and return to your earlier questions.

“Master Corr, could you tell me about the Medical Corps? And the other branches of the Service Corps?”

“Ah, yes. Have a seat… Xena, was it?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Here, grab the chair over there. Unless you’d like to get on the examination table?”

“No, thanks.”

“Pity.” She sits in her own chair — one of them fancy ones with the rolling bits and the swively-whatsits. “Where should I start? How about I just start with the Service Corps as a whole?

“The Jedi Service Corps is headed by the Council of Reassignment. If you were to be determined to be unfit to become a padawan, you would face the five Masters of the Reassignment Council. They would assess your potential to serve the Order in another way, or would assist you in finding a life outside of the Jedi Order. Below the Council of Reassignment are four other sub-councils, each one dedicated to the management of a different Service Corps branch: MedCorps, AgriCorps, EduCorps, and ExplorCorps. Each of the branches serves the Order in a crucial way.

“Obviously, MedCorps is the most important, even if it’s one of the smaller of the four. Well, I say this, though I am not technically a member of the MedCorps. The vast majority of MedCorps members are those who could not continue the path toward Knighthood. I work very closely with MedCorps, so I am highly familiar with the tremendous amount of work done here. This branch is truly a branch dedicated to the good of the people. If you were to join the MedCorps, or join me in working with them, then you can be sure that you’re doing something worthwhile.

“Here, in the Halls of Healing, we take care of both Jedi and non-Jedi. I am a healer. The MedCorps serve as assistants and technicians. Together, we make people happy and healthy. It is a worthy and rewarding task.

“AgriCorps comes in at a close second in my personal rankings. The members of the Agricorps work to provide struggling communities with all-important sustenance. Those who have been hit by drought or crop-failure are given hope by the arrival of the AgriCorps. At first glance, the roles within the AgriCorps seem dull. Boring, even. Maybe that’s true, but just like with MedCorps, you can be sure that you’re doing the right thing.

“Third on the list is the EduCorps. The members of the EduCorps are those stuffy scholars you see in the Archives. They love their books, and I could swear the books love them back. Of course, not all of the EduCorps is devoted to librarian work. They’re called the EduCorps for a reason. Similar to the AgriCorps, the EduCorps seeks out the disadvantaged in the wider Galaxy and assists them in their own way. There are many out there who owe their success to the knowledge imparted on them by the Jedi EduCorps.

“Finally, there’s the ExplorCorps. If you’ve got a hankering for adventure, then there’s no better place to be. The ExplorCorps survey the Galaxy, doing archeology and all sorts of research out there. I’m not as familiar with them as with the others, but I do know that much knowledge has been discovered or reclaimed by the ExplorCorps. I’ve heard that they also have hundreds of bases across the Galaxy, though I’m not entirely sure what for. If you are interested in Galactic navigation or archeology, then I suppose you might enjoy it.”

You certainly have a penchant for Navigation according to your dreams. You keep the excitement off your face for now, though.

“That’s about all I know for the other branches. If you want even more detail on what you can do in the MedCorps, or as a healer, I can go into much more detail.”

“Maybe later. Thank you very much, Master. I think I need to go now. Dinner is starting soon.”

“Visit me again soon, little Xena! Remember: same time, same place! We’ll get started on learning you some Force Purification when you’re back.”

With that, you smile and give a small wave of goodbye and head out the door. You head back out of the Halls of Healing, making your way to the refectory. It’s only after you’ve received your food, sat down at the table, and been made fun of by your friends that you realize that the stickers are still on your face.

Well, at least they partially cover the red of your blushing cheeks.