Major Mandella, 2458-3142 A.D., Chapter 4 Summary

After a short time aboard the Masaryk II, it is brought to Mandella's attention that there is an underground distillery business being run by the cooks. Although the beverage they are producing is almost one hundred percent alcohol, he chooses not to put a stop to it in the hopes that it will improve the morale on the ship. Out of curiosity, he asks Diana to find out how it is being done. She returns not only with an explanation of how sugar from chow-time desserts is being distilled and traded, but also with a sample bottle. Mandella cannot finish one drink because the taste repels him. Diana, who is not a drinker and usually prefers mood altering substances of the more chemical variety, finds it to be quite delightful. She proceeds to...