Though she had run a lot today already she was at a jog now.  To the small coffee shop.  Once there she ordered 2 of her favorite coffee drinks (Coffee mocha latte with a double shot of a nutty syrup from Bura, topped with something called whipped mallow creme brulee and a bit of a chocolate syrup and more of the nutty syrup as well and a small red fruit called a 'marachino').  It had the interesting name 'choco-nut blaster'.  She paid for both with a smile to the waitress behind the counter and left to go back to the RecDec.

With the leak test complete and the Udenese botannicals suitable "dried" out she sets to work mixing the must using the small restaurant sized stove to heat the grain and water mix to the correct temperature necessary for a nice quick pure alcohol.

Nikki walked up "Sorry about that...got hung up" she smiled looking at the work already done.  The set up was nice she thought.  "Depending on the herb grains....might wanna think about making that condensing tube a bit longer.  Give it a chance to 'mellow out' a bit more" She went over the different components "Copper is good, but the first batch you might wanna give a test run first, it could pick up some bitter after notes" All in all she was impressed so far.  She looked for the heating source.  the boiler, making sure it would e stable and not an explosion waiting to happen.  "Looks like your leak test was good, and your heat test too" She noticed the grains and moved to sniff them.  "Now...If I remember my Papaws rules the grain alcohol we need to create boils at 173 farenheit.  To low you get Methanol, to high you get isopropyl alcohol, neither of those is really safe to drink.  Water boils at 212 Farenheit.  So to make it heat to the right temp we need the compressor to help make the water boil quicker" And she noted the compressor and checked it over.  "Other thing we need is to turn the dried herb grains into a suitable mash.  got another large bowl or basin?"

"Not my first rodeo here cowboy." she says with a chuckle. "Save those aromatics first batch is gonna be bathtub gin with a taste of Uden. From there we'll dip into whiskey." she says making some adjustments to the mash. "theres parts for a second pot style still to go with the more heavily tower influenced hybrid. Hoping to get a strong first batch out and set it to be ready before our last night at Everest. From there tweak things and start to make various different things."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:37, Thu 06 Aug 2020.

"Okay...lets get it started" She rubbed her hands together

After a little while the mash was ready to go into the still, the botannical bundle was ready to be placed under the column allowing the vapors to pass through it collecting the flavors, and it was time to let the still do it's work. "Alright, everything looks set. All that's left is a little babysitting, until we're sure it's stable, and then let her rip along. Until we get through the foreshots and heads we'll be onto the main event." She set the "burner" to the correct temperature to prevent producing the wrong alcohols, "So before we hit the 173 sweet spot, a little trick I picked up on my first still is run it at around 168 until it stops producing, usually about 10 minutes. Anything produced there is the foreshots and heads, that way we don't lose anything when we start to get to the good stuff." She says making an adjustment.


"Once we get this going we can start putting that pot still together, for a batch of jet fuel, or your grandfathers recipe whichever you prefer." She says with a grin.

  Mitch sat and  watched. He wasn't  an idiot, he knew what it was...this legal?.... I mean... it would be a hellava way to end a career if it isn't?

 he would help  if they asked him, stay out of the way , when the didn't

Hawkeye grins, "It's not illegal if you don't get caught... She grins conspiratorially, "but yes it's legal so long as we're not abusing it or giving it to kids. If we produce a good enough product it's something that can be sold at the pulse or in the various establishment on ship. It's a hobby that with a little luck can sustain itself and produce something that can be enjoyed by others" She said by way of explanation.

she grinned "Anything worth doing right takes time, but Oh....Makes it so much sweeter"

The run of the still had gone about as planned for a first run. There were adjustments to be made to be sure, but the hearts were drinkable, and even better than that they were good enough to share after an additional round of botannicals and dilution first.

In the end after an early morning bottling they'd come away with 38 bottles of 500ml each. It wasn't the maximum capacity for the still, but a worthwhile start. With a bit more work they'd get the volumue up probably another 7-12 bottles depending on the grains and other factors.

She wiped a little sweat off her brow, as they finished the last bottle of Naval Strength Gin. "Gotta say, this would have been a right chore without the extra set of hands." She counted the bottles one more time, "Alright so we owe three bottles one to forge guys, one to rec dec lead, and one to QM. They set us up with a lot of the materials at a major discount for a taste of the first run. There's definitely gonna be a dress up affair, as well as parties at Shadow and Hacks condos, its a safe bet. I say we bring 5 to whatever ball, and 5 bottles to the parties. Let people try our Udenese Gin. We gift a bottle to Hack, Shadow, and the Everest Station Commander, plus each take 1 personal bottle, for posterity. That's 18 bottles right there. Giving us twenty remaining to decide whatever else to do with them. Whatcha think?" She asks reaching for a rag to dry her hands, looking rather proudly over the finished product.

"Other than that's we need a name, I'm thinking something like "Tip of the Spear Distillery" then we can do liquor lines named after ourselves or others on board. Say like "Screaming Banshee Whiskey," and "Old Doc Potter's Gin," or we could do "Admiral's Naval Strength Gin." Still working on that, a little" she says finishing her thoughts.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:26, Tue 11 Aug 2020.

"Well...If there is not a problem...I'll take one.  I'd like to keep as a momento." she said as she counted the bottles off.  "How about 'Pan's Elixir'?  Being this is Hermes, after a Greek God.  If I recall my mytology ....he had a son named Pan.  And this drink is made from parts of Hermes" Nikki suggested.

----> From Hanger Dec

After arriving home he found the large crate of goods he purchased back on Everest waiting for him, he picked it up and brought it inside sitting it down in the spare bedroom then hopping into the shower to get cleaned up for the upcoming after party.

(A Few minutes later)

After the shower he got dressed in his SEC uniform and took a seat on the couch in the living room where he reached into a drawer next to the lamp and pulled out his pipe and a bit of smokewood and enjoyed a well needed smoke, 'Your days are numbered Qer... I'm coming for you'

----Hanger Deck---->

Melia came in from the Hanger Deck a very sleepy Orria in tow, this after party was just not going to happen for the sleep deprived little girl. Who was doing her best impression of one of the inflatable returning punching bags, bobbing from one side to another as she fought to stay awake. Melia sighed shaking her head. There was no arguing. Orria had been crucial to helping smooth communications between Shade and the team, and for that she'd stayed up long hours and forgone rest. A better solution had to be found, but for now it was time for Orria to rest.

Once she was in bed, and tucked in Melia saw to prying herself out of her armor, down to her jumpsuit which she tied the arms around her waist leaving her in a sweaty tank top on the top. She wanders out into the living area tucking a hair whisp behind her ear, and notes Zob on the couch with his pipe.

She plops into a seat next to him, "Shit hole of a planet Roussia." she says with a sigh reclining into the couch.

Zob leaned back on the couch as he took a long drag from the pipe, "Far as I'm concerned the planet should of been blasted into space dust... guess i can take comfort in knowing that the 'fly' has been thoroughly swatted"

Zob then pointed off towards the spare bedroom, "I picked up a hookah and a bunch of angel herbs as well as smokewood its all in the box in there so feel free to indulge whenever you desire"

"yeah those tar creatures were almost like out of some of those retro horror video games some folks I knew growing up were into. But, on the bright side using them allowed the Roussian leader to build their own funeral pyre's" She said with a tired chuckle at her own pun.

Zob gave her a awkward look, "I don't think I've ever played a video game now that I think about it, so should we head up to the after party or do you wanna just hang out here for the evening?"

Melia shrugged, "Like as not the party is already well and going. Orria's down for the night, I could use a bite so why not. Worst case we grab something to eat, and head back if things are already winding down. Maybe after if we're up for it we test out the hookah." she says with a small smile.

Zob finished what was left in the pipe and set it off to the side before standing up and securing his weapon belt, "Well I'm ready when you are" when she was ready they would head up to the after party.

Melia nods, not bothering to freshen up. She was tired, and after the time on the planet didn't care, everyone had been dirty and gross. At least her uniform she'd been wearing hadn't gotten too slimed.

--Rec Dec-->

----> From Rec Dec

After returning home he smiled at Melia and headed into the spare bedroom and took out a box of smokewood and the beautiful Sanri silver hookah and began to set it up for both of them, once finished however he handed her the hose, "You first" he said his arm wrapped around her as they sat back on the couch.

 Cookie  worked his way down the  steps   and   curled up on the   floor  by them. The Civie  street was gettign quiet as  people settled into their homes... the Bunker stayed open though, just in case.

Back in her class room Haley quietly went through her lessons and practice spelling.  She was happy her teacher was nice and made learning fun. then they had to make a crayon picture.  making lines and passes of waxy bright colors learning what colors made other colors such as red and yellow making orange where they overlapped, which would become purples and greens when they used blue.  but learned orange and purple just made an ugly brown color.  then after all than the colors were covered by all black.  Haley was not sure what this was all about, and unsure.  Then her teacher showed them something marvelous.  they were given a stylus or fancy non-writing pen and told to press a bit hard and draw on the black.  She looked not understanding at first ,but then decided to draw a tree. after a moment or two she smiled, she got it.  the stylus removed the black and left lines of the bright colors come through.  This was so cool she thought.  It took a bit of time but when done her masterpiece was a tree, a fence, and two cows, round blobs as clouds and a sun.  with two stik figures nearby....her and Nikki.

Haley worked on some simple adding and subtracting math.  She did okay, but for some reason the '4's' gave her some trouble.  she tried doing it like Nikki showed her doing her home work, even on word problems.  Like she cared Sally and Billy had apples and oranges anyhow.  She didn't know them so why she care how many they had.  Still she kept working the 20 problems on the screen.  Then they got to go play a bit for a morning recess.  She got to swing for a bit and go down the small slide atleast twice, so was all good.

Haley ate lunch from the rec dec that was delivered.  After lunch there was some history to learn.  This time it was something about a man named Christopher Columbus, a sailor.  After that it was the meaning and how to spell 10 different words.  Soon though the school day was done as the bell rang for her classroom.  She gathered her things and put them into her backpack, then heading out.

<=== Rec Dec
Nikki waited on a bench just off the school playground.  In less than 5 minutes their bell sounded for release.2-3 minutes late the kids came running out.  A few stopped to play for a bit.  A pair of boys started to have a heated discussion.  From what she heard it was about who their mother liked best, and one being adopted.  Eventually Haley skipped out and and saw Nikki.  she waved and headed over.  "Hi Nikki" she said as they hugged.
"Punkin'.  We gotta go see Roll and Doc christie right now" she replied.
"Sumthin' wrong?  Not in trouble am I?"
"No..But Doc Christie wants to talk to you about cat-snakes"
Haley knew both Nikki an Doctor Christie said they were dangerous, so she figured it was to tell her 'don't mess with'.  It made her a bit sad, it would show in her voice.  "Oh.  Okay"
Both began walking to the lift.

===> Dr. Christies lab

<<<< Shadow and Roll from Hanger Dec.

   They walked down the ramp into the Civi sectiom...people were trimmomg yhr   grass and trees of the  park. loading them onto  hover  carts to take down to the Farm  for mulch or  feed..  Kids  were  playign  , Some  stopped  and  stared at Shadow  and Roll as they walked  down the street to Roll's  Home, some of the woamne   brushed   hair  back   of straightedn  a  dress or  shirt, and smiled abit, Shadow  waved at them.

 going up the steps , Roll fished out his key card...when a stern Voice said.....You There!..Roll!.. I have to speak to  your parents...you haven't been in school for a while...

 Go inside Roll?   get a shower and a change of clothing, put  your  dirty stuff in the laundry bins... I'll be  in , in a Minute.

 There a problem , Ma'am?

 I need to see that child's parents..he hasn't been  and school..and if his parents  are not here, he can't be living there alone...

 ..Frist off...Ma;am.. the  kid doesn't have parents, they were  either  eaten or  sold off, or they left the kid  behind. The woman who adopted him, is  on a mission...He has plenty of people watching out for him..so.....just back off that whole line of questions...

 what about school?..He should be learning...

 I agree there?..but...he has to feel like he belongs there....he lived his whole life in The Stem?... could you have  down that until you were   7 or 8?

 She oepned her brief case....when he does  come to school.... look what he draws in art class....

 oh..wow? those  are Damn good largs... this one  is gregor.... this one is  Larry  and..

 don't you see?..he's fixated of these creatures.... he should be drawing other things....

 Like ...what?

 Trees.. Birds...houses....

 the only trees the Stem kids have see is  the ones on a carrier station that are planted to help the  environment, or  on the Mountain..... they have never seen a House..and very few birds....When they went to Bura, it was  like they were transported to a magical world....

 ..now.. as to why he  is fixated  on  Largs?.. His best friend  is a little Larg..aa beat up lab pup, so they had alot  in common.... the Bigger ones?..Larry , Freddie   and tess... treat him like they treat the rest of us... you might want to laugh at that 'cadet Largmaster' on his  tunic..but , that's what he is.

 She looked   taken aback  and   Shadow started  in again...let me take your Kid?... drop her in Everest's Stem..or Etna, and  we'll come back  in a year..how well  would  she adapt?

 So...Ms Teacher Lady?.... why don't you regroup.... take the ruler out of your ass, and figure out how to include  ..ALL..the kids, and let them enjoy thier  strengths , and work on thier weaknesses....because... everytime this Boat is  boarded, and you and the others   are under the park..that little guy is standing guard on the Hanger  Dec, with , whichever largs  are with behind...when you think about that..drawing a damn tree doesn't seem so important...

 She was  shocked, embarrassed and angry...what would you know!..you were a guttersnipe, if the stories  are true...

 damn right i was... My parents struggled after  the company my Mom worked for was  torn down to lay the Hermes Keel.......we struggles.. but  i made it out..So  did Admiral Roles..and   LT Morrow... we all went to the academy..we  all graded out  in the  top 5%...Admiral Role  saved The Hermes... beth has  saved us more times  then anyone on this ship can count...and not a damn person knows.....and me?.. I kill stuff..so? I think i'm doing ok...and you know what?...none of us were ever asked to draw a gods be damned tree at the academy.

 The  woman stomped off..Shadow could  hear some gigglign  coming  from Roll's upstairs room, but pretend  not to hear it  as he  sat on the stomp watchign the kids,, someof the young marrieds   with little ones, some of the older  folks who were trying to 'spruce up ' the place. But he watched the kids.. the older one  who he knew were not Stem kids...they looked at him and  talked between themselves... Stem kids would see  him and wave.., He made sure to wave  back