Acetone Solvent (Moonbase Countermeasure)

An acetone-based solvent prepared by the moonbase crew (Nils, Jamie, Charlie, and Ben) under Hobson's orders as a countermeasure against the Cybermen threat. The volatile liquid is intended to corrode the Cybermen's metallic components upon contact. The crew scrambles to mix and containerize the solvent in the control room, but the external threat interrupts full deployment. This substance represents human ingenuity and resourcefulness in the face of superior Cyberman technology, though the strategy is ultimately abandoned as the invasion force advances.

2 appearances

Purpose

Dissolve or disable Cybermen as an improvised chemical weapon

Significance

Hobson's command marks the crew's shift to aggressive defense after Ben's ambush success, highlighting human ingenuity with everyday chemicals against superior invaders and sustaining momentum in the base's resistance

Appearances in the Narrative

When this object appears and how it's used

2 moments

S4E25 · The Moonbase Part 3

Ben’s victory sparks urgent countermeasures

The acetone-based weapons, which Hobson directs the crew to prepare, are a direct response to the Cybermen threat. Though not yet deployed in this event, their preparation signifies the crew’s shift from defense to offense. The weapons’ role is purely functional, leveraging the solvent’s corrosive properties to target the Cybermen’s vulnerable plastic chest units. Their potential to turn the tide of the battle adds a layer of tension and hope to the scene, as the crew scrambles to ready them in anticipation of the next Cyberman advance.

Before: Not yet prepared—The acetone-based weapons are in the early stages of preparation, with the crew beginning to mix and containerize the solvent. Their deployment has not yet been attempted, but their potential as a countermeasure is recognized.

After: Preparation underway—The crew is actively preparing the weapons, though they have not yet been used. Their status is now one of tactical readiness, reflecting the crew’s urgency and determination to fight back.

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S4E25 · The Moonbase Part 3

Doctor pivots to Gravitron strategy

'Gubbins'—the acetone solvent—is mentioned in Hobson’s rapid-fire orders as a last-resort weapon against the Cybermen. Though not yet prepared in full, its implication in the scene is a testament to the crew’s desperation. The solvent’s role here is symbolic as much as practical: it represents the crew’s scrappy, improvised resistance against an overwhelming force. The fact that Hobson prioritizes its preparation alongside securing the armored doors underscores the gravity of the threat. The object is a reminder that in the face of extinction, even the most mundane tools can become weapons of survival.

Before: Stored in the Control Room or nearby; its potential as a weapon is theoretical but increasingly urgent.

After: Identified as a critical countermeasure, with orders given to prepare as much as possible before the Cybermen’s arrival.

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