Vitas Fluid

"This will sting but only for a moment. Be grateful, a single drop is worth far more than your life."

- Unknown

Description
Vitas Fluid is a clear, near odorless and tasteless synthetic liquid. When applied to a wound it provides instant pain relief and disinfection, quickly repairing minor damage and greatly speeding the natural healing process. It is not a substitute for good medical care but when applied can easily be the difference between life and death.

It can be consumed without harm and is said to be very sweet with a slow burning after taste. This is not recommended as it is considerably more wasteful than careful application and while it does treat numerous ailments and provide refreshment, it is also brings on a euphoric state lasting several hours. This can quickly become incredibly addictive and lead to headaches, nausea and all other manner of debilitating side-effects.

Large caches of Vitas were originally stored in underground Bunkers after The End but were quickly and steadily hoarded. It is now an incredibly prized good, difficult to acquire without exceptional credit or connections. It is almost unheard of to see Vitas Fluid in any large quantity outside The Gold and even small vials fetch extortion prices out in the other Frontiers.

Due to it's innocous appearance is a frequent choice for forgery. Engine fluids/lubricants are the most common choice but are easy to spot because of their distinctive smell. Water or sufficiently purified alcohol are better substitutes but are expensive in their own right. Of course the pay-off on a successful con pays back a dozen times over.