Backwash [Omori/Mouthwashing]

All-day Fire Fresh

"Mouthwash," you said, in a sort of voice laden with shock and upset, "This is all mouthwash."

Hero picked up a bottle from the box you had opened in disbelief. "Seriously? This is what we've been hauling for the past half a year? Who the fuck would be buying this much mouthwash on an outer colony?"

Kel placed his hands behind his head, "Bummer... we could drink it when we run out of water, I guess..?"

"Drink it..?" You muttered with disgust. Drinking mouthwash sounded revolting.

It didn't seem to sound revolting to Aubrey, however, as she grabbed a bottle and read the contents.

"Fourteen percent ethanol..? Ha! Haha!" Aubrey began to laugh almost maniacally. An underlayment of frustration could almost be heard, as if she was forcing out each laugh like a cough.

"Hahaha... ha... ha..? I don't get it. What's so funny, Aubrey?" Kel asked his crewmate.

Aubrey didn't explain, instead unscrewing the cap and taking a swig from the mouthwash bottle. "Woah! What are you doing!?" Kel asked.

This was followed by Hero grabbing the bottle from Aubrey, "Stop that, that could kill you!" He shouted.

You had your hands over your mouth in shock at Aubrey's actions, "I ain't no lightweight, Hero, a little liquor won't kill me."

"Liquor? This isn't liquor! It's mouthwash! The kind they tell you not to swallow!" Hero outlined.

"They tell you not to date your coworkers, either, and look how many secretaries suck their boss's dick!" Aubrey said, sounding a bit tipsy already from the practical shot's worth of mouthwash she drank.

"Aubrey, we have to stay sober if we want to figure this out..." You delicately suggest.

"Aw, party pooper! Boooo!" Aubrey said, putting a hand to her face and motioning a thumbs down.

You sigh and put your hand to your forehead. "Please, just calm down."

Aubrey threw her hand around Kel's shoulder. "C'mon, Kel. Anyone ever teach you to drink like a man?"

"But you're a woman..?" Kel replied with a perplexed tone.

"Shaddaaaap."

6 days before the crash.

You went upstairs to the breakroom. You had to break the news, and you hated it. Why did it have to be you who was captain on days like this.

Before entering the break room, you checked your pocket. After all these years... just like that?

You steeled yourself and prepared for the worst.

"Happy birthday!" was immediately communicated upon your entry. The rest of the crew were standing there smiling, wearing standard issue party hats. Right. You had forgotten. Today was your birthday, and this trip was your turn to celebrate.

You iterate that aloud, "Right, I forgot it was my turn after Aubrey's. Still feels stupid that they only let us have one party per trip."

"You got that right, but hey, one party or five, it's not like the cake gets any better each time," Aubrey said with a snort.

Hero seemed to hold in laughter. "What's so funny, Hero? Got something to say?" Aubrey asked threateningly.

Taking a moment to calm himself, Hero shook his head, "No, no, nothing. Well, Captain, get your scanner ready. We unfortunately need you to get the sweetener for the cake.

You didn't even need to use your scanner. You had the code memorized. It was a four digit code where there were only four possible numbers for each digit, each only being able to be used once. They never changed it for this reason.