[ti]Ep 3[/ti]Outsourcing [Pipette]

[Pipette]

"No, I don't need any of this, you do." Pipette waved a hand towards her data screens and audibly sighed. "As I presume you don't truly need this device nor the frustrations endured in salvaging valuable equipment." She tapped the top of the machine with a single digit thoughtfully. "A greater challenge then, we shall cope, we shall live." Her tone lifted, the thought of a challenge only spurred her onwards.

The Chemist turned back to face the data being projected and focused on the equipment list. "In theory, some of this, like the centrifuge, should be a simple matter to construct, precipitation vessels and triple aclimators are not so different from energon purification and distillation equipment, but, these are not the prime issue." She stabbed a digit towards the left hand screen with the chemical list. "That is!" She turned to face Flatline. "No tellurium. No base element, compounds or ores. It would take a month to purify some out of ocean water. Essentially no go."

Hesitantly at first, Pipette decided to withdraw her hood, followed by the retraction of her optic shields and filters. there was no immediate danger here and she wanted Flatline to be on her side as much as feasible. "To break down the polymerization bonds, I need tellurium in some form or other, as well as three other elements I suspect will be in negligible supply. However, there is more than one way to skim a cation." 

Pip turned back to face her screen and with a wave of her hand cleared them. She then began working anew, quickly building back up a diagram and two more lists. After about 20 seconds, she paused, and turned just her head to face Flatline, an almost predatory glint in her optics and a smile revealing the crisp semi-serrated lines of her dente plates. "How much polytetrafluoroethylene lined medical equipment do you have?" The humans called it teflon and it had a wonderful resistance to acids.  

[Flatline]

There was a certain joy to be found in busting any hope there was of a more equipped area being tucked behind the grungy front. There was no secondary base where more advanced work could be performed, nor an offsite Decepticon outpost they would Space Bridge to in order to borrow and utilize their equipment. No. Flatline had the wonderful task of full tilt slamming grim reality into a newcomer with the grace of a bull, hitting them with the same despair he had experienced himself.

Then Pipette reacted like a whip without a pause and struck him back skillfully.

Flatline's smug grin and mocking stance seemed to instantly shift, eyes that had been crooked up on the underside in mirth opening into a sort of stunned blank look, while his grin faltered into an unhappy grimace. His cruel words were turned against him with the sour realization that no, it doesn't mess with her much, it completely messed with him and the Medical Bay. His previous mockery now recited in his processor as if they were spoken at him instead of her.

He almost looked like a deer in the headlights, gaze looking at Pipette, yet not LOOKING at her.

"Err..."

It didn't matter the femme seemed to shrug it off and move on with new spurred inspiration of a challenge, for Flatline was still stuck in his own little loop at how he had shot his own ped then stuffed it in his mouth. What a classy first impression with a science geared individual who could have been a good ally in the coming months or years? He had let the fact it was a newcomer with seemingly little to no current rank or standing give him the confidence to be abusive to vent his own insecurities.

After a sort of fumbled stumble of words, Flatline interjected, trying to be helpful.

"W-we actually have a modest centrifuge, used to separate minerals from line Energon for diagnostic testing."

Bonus points for medical gear being able to provide double duty, though he didn't know what scale of device she hoped for. The black and red mech seemed far more passive from before, tone of voice nullified as he shifted to a neutral state with little to no hostility to be found. More respectful. Flatline would then adjust his weight once again, the panels along his back smoothing out some while trying to keep up with the details of needs. The turrets along his back would pull closer together, aimed up in further signs of shifting to a passive state of being.

"Time may not necessarily be a concern should we must... yet how else do we obtain such things?"

If the material was too rare here on Earth, then waiting a month or two may be a necessary cost to eventually get such a tool back. He had no clue about availability on Earth, only scavenging for steel, aluminum, and bartering for copper and other basics with Pyrotech who was far more versed due to experience. Whatever the case, Pipette ended her words with a question and a particularly complex sounding thing, which ended with Flatline's red optics finally latching back up at her, flicking across her expression. He thought that by her removing the goggles and hood ((which he didn't realize were not built in initially)) that he would be able to judge her expression. Find out if she were messing with him with that word, or if she were being legitimate, but there was little to go off and she didn't seem intent to continue.

"Look, I know medications, body parts, diseases, and other ailments-"

He could mill out a decent amount of complex terminology that should only be found in the deepest portions of medical textbooks, but it didn't really solve much of anything rather than confuse others.

"-you need to use more generic names, or state the intended purpose it serves."

They MAYBE had something, things like the centrifuge that could play double duty.

[Pipette]

“Poly-tetra-fluoro-ethylene.” Pipette sounded out each component of the chemical name. “…I am unfamiliar with any…generic...names.” She didn’t like generic names for her chemistry. They were fundamentally inaccurate in her estimation, and failed to broach language barriers.

The chemist tapped briefly on one data screen linking to human sourced data flows. “It appears the humans know it commonly as Teflon if that helps.” Another tap on the screen and she enlarged a three dimensional model of the chemical to fill all three screens which she then indicated to Flatline. “Essentially polytetrafluoroethylene is just a long chain of carbon and fluorine atoms. It displays one of the lowest friction coefficients of any solid, but we will utilize its quantifiably high chemical inertness. I intend to make a super acid.” Pipette said this last part with a devilish grin and no small amount of glee.

“If the scalpel is unavailable, use a laser.” It was a saying she had picked up before she had left Cybertron on her assignment from a medical officer. “I estimate much of your medical equipment will be lined polytetrafluoroethylene to prevent contamination. If not then I can manufacture some in just a few hours.” She detested being as inaccurate as “a few” but it was necessary at moment.

She turned to face Flatline and leaned against the machine with arms causally crossed over her chest. “Super acids are simple to manufacture, it is only their containment and usage that require a degree of precision.” She shrugged. “They’re also fun when weaponized.”

[Flatline]

As Pipette sounded out the name of the compound again, Flatline considered that perhaps there simply wasn't a generic term to work off here. There were more than a few scientific mediums and processes that only those versed in the particular field needed to know, and those who did already KNEW the name. This may be one of those scenarios all together, and he would need to be schooled... which did not settle well in his spark... or he would need to try to find a tablet or book with old medical records or chemical makeups to root out the source so he could pretend he understood and merely blanked on it earlier.

As Pipette continued, her request made abundantly more sense in an instant.

"Ah, I just know it as PTFE equipment."

A shrug was paired with this, an idle motion. It made sense, knowing the abbreviated version of the longer string of words, he just had never specifically taken the time to learn the molecular chain or name. Or, if he had, it didn’t really stick like other data had that he used on a more day to day bases. As such, when the screen was turned around for him to view, Flatline's red eyes would scan over it calmly, though not really making a hard effort to memorize it at the moment.

To him, needing to recognize such a thing by its molecular structure would be a once a million-year scenario, and to be frank he didn’t think he would live another hundred at his current pace... Though, Flatline would not be Flatline if he did not have an interest in science. Perhaps at a later date he would request to borrow the device of more chemistry oriented data. Read it over on downtime, try to learn a few new tools on what it held that may be harder to find on other devices, or burnt up over time. This wasn't something he would ask about in this exact moment however.

"I believe we have some, though it isn't as prevalent given lack of potent acid use. Options will be... substandard... if not only a couple."

Acidic materials on that level were not used particularly often in Flatline's experience. The last time he could think of it was when he had to soak a specific component that had rusted out dangerously so to try to clean it. A piece that wasn't replaceable given the materials and machining at the time. This meant he hadn't looked at their current stock fully to take complete inventory since the Nemesis took a nosedive. All frequently used items were accounted for, but those odds and ends?... well. For all he knew they were smashed to shards inside their container.

An oversight that should have been looked at earlier.

"If stock is poor, should it be so easy to make, perhaps replenishing a set would be beneficial."

Pipette would be the one to get the most use out of a full set he was certain, but it would be good to have more on hand should a specific scenario round the bend. Every feeble limp, every weak step towards a more functional scientific foundation was a boon.

Easing his weight one side than the other once to ready for movement, Flatline then stretched his cane out some and started his limped walk across the room. While before he may have beelined right to where he needed to be, this time he faltered, trying to think if it was placed with other glassware and metal containment vessels, or if it was stuffed aside in a loose 'deal with later' portion. He committed to the first, trying to have better faith in himself, Knock Out, and Breakdown, moving to the left towards a makeshift cabinet.

"What else will you require?"

A question cast over his shoulder.

[Pipette]

The chemist's frame stiffened and her optics narrowed. "P.T.F.E." Her words dripped with disdain as she enunciated each separate letter. "I disapprove of acronyms, they lead to...errors." It was clear from Pipette's tone she wanted to use a harsher word. Anyone familiar with P.V.A and P.V.A would surely understand why.

"However.." She moved the conversation onward past the awkwardness she felt when talking chemistry with those less educated in that particular scientific field. "A spray bottle will be absolutely needed for the application of the final acid. I will also require beakers or other suitable containment vessels and something for long term storage, a drip feed and auto stir for preference as well."

She tapped a finger as she thought. "I know we have some units of hydrogen fluoride, a key ingredient for polytetrafluoroethylene but also for Fluoroantimonic acid. It is an exquisitely strong acid and I am sure further uses will reveal themselves in time to our benefit. Antimony pentafluoride might be difficult to acquire. I will need to lodge a request with Soundwave." She nodded to herself as she imagined the process all coming together."  

"Part of the process will require that temperatures to not exceed 290 degrees Kelvin, about five less than current room temperature. Is there any thermo regulation equipment on site? A cooler alternative site would also work."

Pipette looked into the cupboards as Flatline opened them, curious as to their contents. While she peered, she didn't however step forward, she respected Flatline's space and had no desire to get in his way. Two cumbersome people did not mesh well in small spaces. 

"I suppose I should also consider protective safety equipment too..." Even her own built in protections would provide little resistance to an accidental splash of Super Acid.

[Flatline]

When it came to glassware, there had never been such a vast array of options that it mattered in the medical field. No real issues with miscommunication. That said, abbreviations of the sort could certainly be problematic in other areas, and as such Flatline respected Pipette's personal thoughts on the matter. There were more than a few things that he himself would get unpleasant and irritable should the terms be used too loosely for the situation. As such, he would make an effort to use the full name in her presence, as he had no goal to be intentionally antagonistic beyond his initial aggression.

One of Pipette's requests stood out to Flatline like a flashing beacon however, and he suddenly bit onto the opportunity almost rabidly.

"Would a metal paint sprayer suffice?"

At these words, the corner of Flatline's mouth would pull back with a twitch, a sort of malicious grin forming as his mind went a very specific direction.

"Flush the coating through to line its innards, a makeshift semi-disposable option."

Oohh... Knock Out would lose his damn mind if he knew what Flatline was thinking here. Using his fancy little paint sprayer for such a nightmarish task? It would ruin the mister nozzle. The spray would never be as even and pristine again if it even sprayed when it was done being abused. It would undoubtedly work well enough for Pipette and his own need for this project, for they wouldn't really need an absolutely flawless mist when it already sounded like some of the finer daintier details would need to be chipped out anyway... Was this a petty idea that would bite him in the backside? Of course. Yet their rivalry and weird hate-friendship was borderline legendary at this point, and who was he to disappoint by not continuing to be spiteful?

"I believe we have a magnetic stirrer, though... if not that shouldn't be too difficult to produce."

It was a magnet. That was spun. Really, it was an alarmingly primitive tool that simply worked well and needn't be over complicated in his opinion. In this application it felt extra viable, for they just needed to use one of the treated containers, and then coat one of the bars to protect it. The most 'difficult' point would be the speed of rotation, but that also wouldn’t be too terribly hard to put together if they had to in Flatline's opinion. It wasn't some grandiose feat of engineering.

"Drip feed... I mean... an IV could be repurposed?"

It wasn't ideal, yet what even was around here? One, two, three, wing it and pray.

While listening to Pipette speak, Flatline reached up to pull out a dinged container, a soft rattle ringing out from its contents. He placed it down on the countertop, before opening the hatch. Within was a set of glass containers and other vessels for testing line fuel and other medical needs. A couple pieces were missing however, empty voids within the frame of the box that had been broken in the crash more likely than not. Lifting his hand, Flatline wiggled the tips of his fingers on either side of the cylinder to get a grip, before he snaked it out cleanly to rest in his palm with a click.

"There is a cooler in here for some medical compounds. If it does not release vapors, it can be used. Otherwise, I will decline."

Plucking the glass free, Flatline looked it over calmly, before flipping it to view the underside for a marker or visible sheen that separated standard glass from P.T.F.E. coated pieces. A tsk would form then, before he slipped the container back in its slot. Just to make sure it wasn't one misplaced piece with a set, he then plucked out another to look under.

[Pipette]

Pipette hummed as she carefully considered all that her associate proffered. “A paint sprayer would be ideal, thank you. With careful treatment, it might even outlast our purposes.” She ticked the other mentioned items off on her fingers. The action wasn't actually necessary but she had found others seemed to be eased by those counting motions. “I V for intravenous I presume, that shall work. I will employ a makeshift cooler then since vapors will be unavoidable. The laboratory is equipped with an extractor, thankfully.” Pipette again tapped those same fingers on the nearest surface, her optics unfocused as she was momentarily lost in thought.

“I am inclined to think it might be easier to simply purchase or otherwise acquire bulk polytetrafluoroethylene granules from human supply, along with the antimony pentafluoride. Depending on Soundwave and the time efficiency of supply acquisition, I may have the super acid available tomorrow.” She walked over to bend down beside Flatline and peer into his cabinet of curiosities, only mildly inquisitive as to the contents.   

“What other items do you suppose you may desire to coat in polytetrafluoroethylene? Or likewise attack with a super acid? This will help determine our required quantities.” No point making any request without knowing how much is wanted. Again weaponization came to mind with the acid, it truly was delightfully potent and versatile.

“And If our requests are denied, we may simply just have to resort to base physical labor.” Precisely laborious but such was existence. Their species was exceptionally long lived so time was not exactly a pressing issue.

[Flatline]

Seeing that the underside the second glass vessel was also void of markings, showing it wasn’t the coated material, Flatline slid it neatly back into the foam padding, before glancing back at the femme.

"Should the sprayer work, consider it a gift for any other applications your role brings."

Primus knows Knock Out wouldn't want to use it after, and if he did get it back the diva of a CMO would probably cram it down his throat anyway for abusing and decimating such a 'magnificent' tool. No. It would be given away. Maybe if he was lucky, he would see Pipette with it and think she stole it. Not that Flatline wanted to get her in trouble... it would undoubtedly lead back to him anyway... but the momentary shitshow of an explosion would be worth it for entertainment value alone.

When Pipette confirmed an IV would work, Flatline lifted the plain glassware back into the cabinet, before stepping to the side with a drag of his injured leg. Settled in front of a new area, he opened the lower panel and tugged out a metal and glass vessel with ports for differing tubing for varied medical uses. He would look over the container it came out of a moment, confirming there was more than two left so they could still do their job, before he plopped the spare down onto the counter in front of the other Cybertronian while she brought up materials.

"I do not know where to find or even acquire such things given our need to remain unseen."

Flatline wouldn’t even have a clue what direction to go to find a road if dropped outside, let alone how to pretend to be human in the cities... add on the skill needed to interact on any level needed to procure mass amounts of materials? And he was a lost cause. While he knew very little of Earth, he didn’t expect that such pellets could be gotten at their general store between the mops and dishware.

"In addition, I also do not know what else may require either offhand. This tool was sought out due to its general value, and there is no saying what else may be salvageable from the resin spill."

Red eyes glanced over as Pipette leaned forward to look into the cabinet, his leading leg pulling back some to move out of the way. Within there didn't appear to be anything of notable value. A few simple boxes of wiring spools and electrical connectors. A couple more of the IV containers and rolls of accompanying pipe and regulators... Standard fare for tending to some injuries, the more emergency grab and go supplies in a more accessible spot in an emergency.

"I apologize for my ignorance on the matter. I suppose it is best to plan modestly, and upgrade if required later?"

Flatline shrugged some at this, being no real help. He was here to assist, yes, and he would do so in what ways he was able! But chemical work on this level was beyond his current field of expertise, for it didn't relate to line Energon, oil, coolant, or other internal components relating to biological aid. At this, he let out a short sound as he was reminded, turning a step away from where Pipette was snooping to look in the adjacent storage for the magnetic stirrer.

[Pipette]

"Remaining unseen..." Pipette's voice lingered, waiting on a sigh that never came. "Infiltration protocols can be quite bothersome." She merely shrugged a little. Acquiring basic materials was often a challenge for her craft, since the day she was spawned. It was certainly the case at Blackridge and had been before as well on her travels. Ultimately it was nothing new. If she had let herself get bothered by it, she would have long ago self-destructed. By way of making conversation with kin, she further added, "I have often found that the acquisition of basic supplies to be more laborious than..."

Pipette grabbed Flatline by the shoulders and shook him with frantic enthusiasm. "Expletives! Flatline, expletives! Basic physical labor is the solution!" It was clear she just had a eureka moment. After a second or two, she let go and nervously tried to regain her composure.

"I apologize for my emotional outburst, but I believe I have just thought of a more practicable solution! This particular resin, like most, is fundamentally brittle in extreme cold. We just need to cool it enough to break it away." The solution was obvious the more she thought about it. No need to risk exposure to a dangerous super acid or its fumes unnecessarily, clean up would be simpler too.

After a few more moments, she finally registered that Flatline had been diligently busy redying various glass vessels and other equipment. "I believe I owe you an additional apology for leading you astray with my previous idea. I apologize." Feeling that was sufficient to clear the air, she progressed forward.

"All we will need is liquid nitrogen, pipettes or other droppers - non-ceramic however. A small hammer or chisel, and if you have them the schematics for all the affected equipment. If those are unobtainable, a medical scanner and your doubtless skill with the device will be absolutely necessary. We only need to clear input and output ports, moving parts, and heat sinks afterall." She paused as she thought for a moment if that was all. Better get a second opinion this time. "Do you concur Flatline?"

(Permission granted to shake Flatline)

[Flatline]

While Flatline did not hear a sigh out of the femme, he certainly could sense it in the emptiness that followed her words briefly. He could relate to her feelings a great deal, for it was so much easier on other worlds that knew about their kind. Try to barter and trade, get involved in their resources and simply buy what they need if it was a 'buy' sort of scenario and not simply 'take' with brute force... On earth they had to play the 'take' game without them knowing they were being stolen from...

Far outside his position.

Peering within the newly opened storage, another box was about to be retrieved when things changed gears abruptly.

Flatline looked absolutely caught off guard and borderline horrified when Pipette grabbed him and jostled him as if she were trying to shake something free. His eyes that had been relaxed in their more natural triangular shape, instead opened broadly in an alarmed response, brows crooked high as he tried to scrabble and catch up to what happened. He was trying to piece together why she had grabbed him, what she was saying, as well as process the fact she was belting out the word 'expletives' instead of a cuss word or even a shocked gasp noise of excitement.

Not speaking right away, Flatline's arms would raise slowly on either side, his thumbs looping beneath Pipette's wrists to delicately pull them free from clutching at him, before lowering them away. It was once she was 'pried' free, he would rock his weight back slightly, not really wanting to be grappled with again, as the shock and confusion remained on his features for a moment. Only then could he put together what she had been saying, his expression trying to relax after the alarm that had formed.

"If we had the schematics, it would be far simpler, I believe, to simply manufacture a new one."

A somber declaration with a sort of anxious edge to his words. If they went the route she was now suggesting, it would be the role of an archaeologist, countless hours slightly chipping layers of resin away until another material manifests and then moving elsewhere. He didn't know how fragile the inners were, however it could be a safer approach than an acid. It would be so incredibly painstakingly long though... yet... he had to ask himself...

What else did he have to do with his life now?

"Liquid nitrogen is achievable, possibly faster than you have considered."

A sort of smugness came into Flatline’s words, the corner of his mouth twitching back into a smirk.

"It is used on occasions medically, so we do have a couple dewars... as pitifully small as they may be..."

A low grumble paired the last words. A sort of 'cup' sized container was better than nothing though, however, he hoped it would be enough should such an emergency come up that required it. These incidents were few and far between, more a specialized thing should extreme internal overheat occur due to major malfunctions or damaging flare out.

"It is worth an attempt to determine its value, or if proceeding with the acid is more beneficial."

Flatline sounded pleased, even if the labor would be extensive, though deep down he was a bit sad that Pipette wouldn't obliterate Knock Out's paint sprayer with concentrated acid and teflon coatings.

[Pipette]

"If you are low on stocks of liquid nitrogen, that can be remedied." Pipette offered. "I can arrange for two or three vacuum flasks to be filled over the next day cycle." Compressing air and separating the oxygen and other impurities from the nitrogen was a simple task with the equipment available. And of course there was no end of fun to be had with compressed oxygen laying around just waiting for a purpose.

"If you would proceed to acquire what quantity you can immediately, I shall gather other equipment to facilitate the efficiency of our endeavors." Mentally she was already ticking off equipment in her head, already imagining the initial process.

"I will be back with all due haste." Pipette turned on the balls of her feet and headed for the door. There, she paused a moment, flicked Flatline a respectful salute, and practically skipped off to her laboratory.

One brief ground bridge trip later, she was there gathering equipment. The first and most important was the laser thermometer followed by the imaging thermal scanner. Thermometers of some sort were mandatory equipment in a chemistry lab, but the thermal imager was extra equipment she specifically used for making her favorite explosive - Octa-nitro cubane. Added to this were a couple of clamp stands, two pipettes for the liquid nitrogen application and a simple hammer nominally used for breaking up ore samples. It really wasn't much equipment, but Pip's lack of elegance made it seems more cumbersome than it was.

When she returned, she fully expected Flatline to be waiting.

[Flatline]

"That would be profoundly helpful."

Excess supplies of any kind, even those not used often in current applications, would always be looked upon favorably. It did not matter if they had two canisters more than they would even use in a year, as simply having it on hand... hoarding it away for anything at all... it brought a level of comfort when acquiring such things could be detrimental when time was against them. Back on Cybertron, should a crisis arise, other facilities could step in to help to fill the gap before more of something could be acquired. Emergency aid to help save a life.

Not here however. They run out? They were in true trouble.

The fact she may be able to replicate more than this one element brought a certain joy to the black and red mech, starting to consider what other things this femme could put together for them. She was clever, analytical, and precise from what little he had seen. Working with chemicals and their molecular levels rather than medicine and greater general applications. Flatline could not do what she could do, and he did not know how far her skills went. Aiming high was the best way to go however, for it was better to find the top line fast, rather than keep dancing below it, missing out on real potential.

Put her to work replicating medical compounds.

Listening to Pipette's words, Flatline was about to speak once more, before she acted promptly with a level of zeal that was thankfully on a lesser level than before. This time the incident concluded with her leaving the Medical Bay alarmingly fast, rather than another grapple at his frame to try to shake a more energetic response out of him. Just as quickly as Pipette had her revelation, she had then vanished, leaving Flatline alone and confused as he asked himself... did she really just give him a salute?

--

When Pipette returned, Flatline had already begun experimentation on the current project. The small container of liquid nitrogen he had retrieved had been set aside on the table away from the working area, while a small amount had been distributed into a metal container with a thickened base so it would be difficult to topple. Soft curls of vapor rolled out of its opening, trailing down its side to creep across the tabletop beside the resin caked machine. The thinnest of lines drifted towards the floor, though they dissipated before reaching such a goal.

It seemed as though Flatline was running with Pipette's theory, trying the process out on a chunk of the resin on the exterior of the machine. Should it prove to be horrifically destructive, it would simply damage the exterior paneling that would need to be replaced anyway. Upon a cursory glance, it appeared to be working out well, a few pieces of the resin already broken off to pepper the countertop below it, as well as a few pieces on the floor beneath where he was sitting, his cane leaned against the side of his leg.

At Flatline's side, was a tray of various tools, a few of which being a scribe, a screwdriver, scalpels with replacement blades, a couple small precision hammers, as well as some rasps of varied coarseness, shapes, and size. Within his hand was a hooked scraping tool, used to work between plating and indentations, its sharp metal edge delicately pushing into miniscule air pockets to tug at and exploit the newly brittle nature.

Flatline did not look up, though he assumed it was Pipette, her footfalls not sounding like individual's he recognized.

"Ah, I wondered when you would return."