This solve spent the majority of the week at 13 latency, so I'm relieved to have found 12. This method could work for 11, but 10 or lower likely needs some sauce. I'm slightly disappointed that I ran out of time, and couldn't attempt to use an unbonder to duplicate earth on cycle 3, which could have moved the water to the end of the rebonded reagent. It might be impossible but I'm hoping someone got it to work.

While 8L is mathematically possible (in terms of cycles), the geometry is the limiting factor, meaning the best solves will need to keep reagent orientation and location in mind while doing the duplication phase.

This is the most stressed I've ever been submitting a solution. I'm home for the holidays and I convinced my dad to submit. He's never touched the game so he's hopefully going to play like a noob, but he's a wickedly smart guy. I'm just hoping he didn't miraculously beat me, I'd genuinely need to quit.