Chalquila

Chalquilla is a clear, distilled, high-proof drinking alcohol. Originally distilled and perfected aboard the ISD-II Challenge, it is composed from water and ethanol, with variance between batches due to added flavourings, impurities or other alcohols such as methanol and glycol. Its name is a contraction between 'Challenge' and 'bequilla', a legendary spirit made from Green Bagabe plants from the outer-rim planet of Jeixico.

Officially banned from all Imperial vessels, it has gathered a firm reputation amongst Navy pilots as the drink-of-choice. Regardless of its status as contraband, senior Imperial officers will often ensure that its production on Imperial Star Destroyers is conducted under strict safety guidelines, overseen by appropriately-trained engineers, with commensurate quality control and stock levelling.

However, due to the relative ease with which the spirit can be produced, illicit batches continue to be made, often under processes that prioritise stealth rather than safety. This has led to numerous instances of shipboard fires and explosions, with subsequent damage to equipment and injuries to personnel. Poisioning and death are not uncommon outcomes in the bootleg production of Chalquilla. Despite the inherent dangers and the risk of serious disciplinary action, some small-batch Chalquilla is highly sought after, with numerous 'bottlers' earning reputations as distillers of distinction.

Chalquilla is variously known to be either distilled from, or a direct addition of water to, battery acid; hyperdrive fuel; machine-grade lubricant; paint thinner; solvent; starfighter cleaner; and other industrial-use liquids or solutions.

It is, in fact, the Imperial-standard coolant, to which has been added 'Chalquilla worms' (which are a related species to the parasitic 'conduit worms', often found feeding off electrical components within the starships themselves), and left for a period of time as the worms metabolise the coolant hydrocarbons into waste alcohols. The chalquilla worms have evolved to feed off the waste food scraps of Imperial galleys, and can often be found in trash compactors or food recyclers. The resultant waste liquid is then distilled and fractionated, with the final products being the Chalquilla alcohol and numerous 'off-cuts' of waste or poisonous alcohols.

In spite of the many specialisations across weapon, engine and life-support systems, the Imperial Navy mandated that all designers and contractors utilise the same type of coolant. Practically, this means that all Imperial designs can be cooled by a single, simple fluid that can be refined from a variety of abundant hydrocabron precursors. For chalquilla, this means that its base ingredient is found in vast quantities on virtually all Imperial starships and bases.

The Chalquilla worms, when submerged into the hydrocarbon-based coolant, will execrete monohydric alcohols such as ethanol and methanol in large quantities, with smaller quantities of polyhydric alcohols such as glycerol, sorbitol and xylitol. The excretion fluid needs to be pumped off, or else the worms would poison themselves. The excretion fluid itself results in a low-alcohol 'wine', with numerous impurities and remaining toxic hydrocarbons that have not yet been converted.

This wine is then distilled through traditional processes, where the execetion fluid is heated, and the alcohols, which have lower boiling temperatures than water, are vapourised and condensed. The collected alcohol is then blended according to taste, and diluted with distilled water for bottling.

Distillers can directly bottle the liquid, or allow it to be 'rested'. Direct bottling results in a harsher drink, with more of the bolder coolant flavours front and centre. Maturation is usually performed in empty coolant tanks, often with the addition of certain wood types to help round out the flavours. The best chalquillas have been rested for several years, though due to limited storage options on starships, and the potential for theft, these chalquillas are rare.

Differences across chalquilla, despite the same initial starting ingredient, comes from a variety of factors. Chief amongst these is the skill of the distiller; distillation follows strict scientific principles, but knowing when to 'cut' and when to 'flow' the condensed outputs from the distillation process will result in smoother or harsher end product. Other factors include additives (usually after the distillation process, but can be added before or during. Additives include other flavourings - such as smoke or sweetness , low-wines - such as ales or fermented fruits, or even excess chalquilla), time taken for initial catalysis, 'resting time', or even where the worms themselves originated from (master distillers and serious chalquilla aficionados can often pinpoint the origin of a given spirit to a particular Imperial Star Destroyer or frigate).

All chalquillas are characteristically high in ethanol, usually sitting anywhere between 48-60%. Chalquilla produced aboard the ISD-II Challenge is known to be high in glycols, resulting in drink described as 'fruity and sweet in taste and aroma'. Chalquilla produced aboard the ISD-II Hammer is regarded for its excessively high alcohol content. ISD-II Warrior-produced chalquilla is praised for its smoky taste and oily texture.

Myths abound in both the production and consumption of alcohol, primarily among the senior officers who employ successful strategies against cognitive dissonance - maintaining the strict Imperial stance against the drink, whilst fervently seeking out the best distillers to make personal small batches, which are then often shared amongst themselves.