First full read for quarter finals of SPSFC4. Whiskey and Warfare follows a primary protagonist and a band of her friends, all former mercenaries, from deep grief at the loss of the protagonist’s life partner to rescuing refugees on another planetary system, even though it’s been 20 years since they were mercenaries or privateers together. 

The depictions of grief were quite good, as well as mental health; dialogue was very solid, flowed well. 

While not the most exciting SF I’ve ever read, I loved the dynamics between the primary characters and their lovely friendship. Their support of Marin through her grief, fear of being back in the black, and more, are page turn worthy, and definitely worth a shot for adult audiences.