Sara's Lab: Ketchup On Your Work!

[Sara Stanton]

"That's amazing news! Next time lead with that." she says, her mood notably improved.

[Altamira Vazquez]

"Well, it's not amazing news--they're theories, and they may amount to nothing," Agent Fite cautioned. "It's just some promising thought experiments, more than anything else."

[Sara Stanton]

"It's better than nothing."

[Narrator]

"What do you know about Mr. Stanton's limitations?"

[Sara Stanton]

"Quite a bit, why?"

[Narrator]

"Well, the molecules were constructed. Even if they're very resilient, they must have a breaking point. So, if we could subject the clay to forces that it can handle but the nanomachines couldnt..."

[Sara Stanton]

"Well we've tried some of that but the problem is that things I suspect them to be weak to like electricity and heat also do a number on Will."

[Narrator]

"What is his reaction to electricity and heat?"

[Sara Stanton]

"Electricity destabilizes his shape and heat kind of... bakes him. Like clay."

[Will Stanton]

"But he remains unharmed, yes?"

[Sara Stanton]

"As far as the currents and temperatures he's been subjected too go. We haven't tried to find a breaking point for obvious reasons."

[Narrator]

"Well, the theory goes something like this.

The nanomachines are tapping into Mr. Stanton's shifting ability--thus, when he actively shifts, they go with him. That prevents him from just destroying them by shifting into, say, a liquid. They protect themselves by using his own powers as a shield.

However, they can't be indestructible. What we need to find is an external stress---heat, cold, pressure, etcetera--that Mr. Stanton can survive, but the nanobots can't. I understand you've tried magnetism, with little success."

[Sara Stanton]

"They were too integrated for that, yes. The question is, how much can he withstand without actively shifting, even just as a survival reflex."

[Narrator]

"That's something we don't have an answer for. Like I said, it's more a theory than something to get your hopes up over yet. Though some of our researchers have come up with some interesting schematics."

[Sara Stanton]

"I'll gladly take a look at them. Thanks."

[Narrator]

"Would you like to come and meet the team sometime?"

[Sara Stanton]

"Absolutely."

[Narrator]

"I'll have to get clearance from my superiors, but work out a time you're free, and I'll bring you in."

[Sara Stanton]

"Sounds good. Can I bring Will?"

[Narrator]

"I'll have to see; we normally like limiting the number of people we give access to at any given time. Plus, he doesn't have your credentials."

[Sara Stanton]

"You're worried he's going to break something."

[Narrator]

"We don't bring people in without the proper qualifications."

[Sara Stanton]

Sara barely manages not to roll her eyes at the bureaucratic coat of paint on the obvious. "Fair enough then."

[Narrator]

"Well, then. We'll leave you to your work, and arrange everything."