A person teaches some fellow Deathworlders how to take fruit, and turn them into alcohol. -- Anon Guest
[AN: I'm pretty sure most Deathworlders know how to brew anything capable of fermentation. And frequently will.]
"You guys are only using waste paper for your alcohol?"
"There are other things to make fast-burning fuel with?"
Human Ward glared at their fellow Deathworlders, and briefly thought about geologically-rendered dinosaur fat[1] before blurting, "You guys never drank this?"
"It's fuel, why would we drink it?"
"Ooohhh boy," cheered Human Ward. "Your entire species is one of today's lucky ten thousand." The way they were rubbing their hands together and cackling should have warned them that dangerous things were about to happen.
Don't worry. They're all Deathworlders. They'll be fine. Mostly fine. Sort of okay. At least there won't be much property damage.
"You guys like sweet stuff, right? I should start you off on some good old-fashioned cider and mead."
There was always a still somewhere on any establishment with Humans in it. The competent managers acknowledge this and ensure that there's plenty of materials for such occupations. The really smart ones encourage competition amongst the brewers. Best impact, smoothest taste, and so on.
This station's manager had elected to regulate the brewing of alcohol to industrial uses only. More fool hir.
The Humans had done what Humans do best. Scavenging parts for an illegal still and several brewing vats in less-accessible areas of the station. That was where Human Ward lead their new friends for some basic education.
"Long-chain carbohydrates, better known as sugar. Domestic yeast, but capturing some of the wild stuff is also an option. Fortunately Cass does some baking and... well. Very generous with her starters, that lass. Understands the needs of the many."
Their alien companions were looking around in wonder. "What is all of this?"
"Booze, glorious booze. You know the 'industrial waste' from the gardens and crops sector[2]?" They waited for nods. "Honey and spoiled fruit. There's your sugar. Also, depending on the fruits, there's your flavour. Now, you don't want to eat spoiled fruit, but with a little time and a lot of brewing, you can drink it."
Ward started them off with Mead, which dulled the muscular responses but didn't dull the mind. It was also very sweet. They could get them onto beer and spirits later.
Their new friends were learning. The lesson of the day? What 'drunk' was.
[1] That is, I believe, the process that creates crude oil. Correct me if I am wrong, I like learning things.
[2] Considering the vast distances with interstellar travel, it's much more efficient to grow your own supplies in situ.
[Image by Meggyn Pomerleau on Unsplash]
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