The thing is that you don't need to use reagents in Alchemy. It just lets you have a higher limit, which can lead to a higher potency, especially with lower force spells. Now, Fixation would be completely worthless if it wasn't the gate keeper to some of the useful Higher Alchemy stuff. And given the learning of those things, it's not too big of a karma sink considering that you also get into your first initiation with it.<br/><br/>EDIT: I'd have to check to see how well it works, but your best bet would be to work with Tanoshimi (she does the teamwork roll) so that you could get the +1 Limit. A spirit's aid would only be useful if you spent reagents. On the other hand, if you have any Alchemy then you can just carve out a territory to harvest from and not spend the nuyen. (Each dram harvested means that the hectare takes two days of recovery, under normal circumstances.)