The Trouble with Tiddlets, Part 3: Difference between revisions

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== Story ==

The player must assist the [[Institute for Interstellar Lifeforms]] and Dr. Swanson with ongoing experiments on the [[Tiddlets]]. A key part of this is purchasing Dr. Martinez's [[Ship|starship]], equipped with a modified [[FTL Drive]] for short-range jumps—so-called [[Hop|hops]]~~—hence~~ referred to as the Hop Drive ship.

The player must assist the [[Institute for Interstellar Lifeforms]] and Dr. Swanson with ongoing experiments on the [[Tiddlets]]. A key part of this is purchasing Dr. Martinez's [[Ship|starship]], equipped with a modified [[FTL Drive]] for short-range jumps—so-called [[Hop|hops]] — hence referred to as the Hop Drive ship.

At the start of the conversation, Dr. Swanson informs the player that [[Professor Toppingbury]] has taken a leave of absence due to work-related stress.

Following the player’s help in Part 2 of this contract series, the Institute confirmed how Tiddlets reproduce. While it was already known that [[Hyperspace Shock]] exposure is fatal, a new discovery reveals that in their final moments, Tiddlets form small crystals—objects of great value to the Institute.

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=== Dr. Magnus Swanson ===

When the ships are lined up for the first jump, Professor Toppingbury hails the player one last time in a desperate attempt to stop them.

If the FTL jump is long enough, half of the Tiddlets die during each jump. Two jumps are sufficient — the second may even be a direct return to the Institute.

While delivering both the dead and surviving Tiddlets, Dr. Swanson hails the player and congratulates them on a successful operation. He mentions that his engineers will soon automate the process.

The player keeps the Hop Drive ship — though without the Hop Drive, as it will be repaired and permanently installed on the Tiddlet farm ship. Finally, Dr. Swanson informs the player that he will be in touch.

=== Prof. Artemis Toppingburry ===

If the player flies to Professor Toppingbury’s hiding place, the professor is relieved and grateful that the Tiddlets have been saved. Together with the player, he helps release all Tiddlets from the farm ship.

If the player flies to Professor Toppingbury’s hiding place, the professor is relieved and grateful that the Tiddlets have been saved. Together with the player, he helps release all remaining Tiddlets from the farm ship.

Shortly ~~after~~, Dr. Swanson hails the player. ~~He is initially~~ concerned by the sudden loss of contact, ~~but~~ becomes horrified when he realizes what the player has done. He threatens serious consequences for both the player and Professor Toppingbury.

Shortly afterward, Dr. Swanson hails the player. Initially concerned by the sudden loss of contact, he becomes horrified when he realizes what the player has done. He threatens serious consequences for both the player and Professor Toppingbury.

Toppingbury, however, remains calm. He assures the player that Swanson is operating entirely outside legal boundaries and ~~has~~ no official authority. He promises to do his best to keep the Tiddlets ~~safe—even~~ if Swanson attempts to capture more.

Toppingbury, however, remains calm. He assures the player that Swanson is operating entirely outside legal boundaries and holds no official authority. He promises to do his best to keep the Tiddlets safe — even if Swanson attempts to capture more.

The player keeps the ~~rescue~~ ship. Before parting ways, Professor Toppingbury tells the player ~~that he will reach out again~~ if he ever needs help.

The player keeps the Hop Drive ship — though without the Hop Drive itself, which remains under Institute control. Before parting ways, Professor Toppingbury tells the player he’ll be in touch if he ever needs help.

== Next Part of the Contract Series ==

After a short while, Dr. Swanson hails the player, requesting ~~assistance—his~~ ship appears to be compromised. However, the message seems to be a broadcast rather than a direct hail. This marks the beginning of [[The Trouble with Tiddlets, Part 4]].

After a short while, Dr. Swanson hails the player, requesting assistance — his ship appears to be compromised. However, the message seems to be a broadcast rather than a direct hail. This marks the beginning of [[The Trouble with Tiddlets, Part 4]]. This transition occurs regardless of the choices made.

== Reward Table ==

@@ Line 2: / Line 2: @@
 == Story ==
-The player must assist the [[Institute for Interstellar Lifeforms]] and Dr. Swanson with ongoing experiments on the [[Tiddlets]]. A key part of this is purchasing Dr. Martinez's [[Ship|starship]], equipped with a modified [[FTL Drive]] for short-range jumps—so-called [[Hop|hops]]—hence referred to as the Hop Drive ship.
+The player must assist the [[Institute for Interstellar Lifeforms]] and Dr. Swanson with ongoing experiments on the [[Tiddlets]]. A key part of this is purchasing Dr. Martinez's [[Ship|starship]], equipped with a modified [[FTL Drive]] for short-range jumps—so-called [[Hop|hops]] — hence referred to as the Hop Drive ship.
 At the start of the conversation, Dr. Swanson informs the player that [[Professor Toppingbury]] has taken a leave of absence due to work-related stress.
 Following the player’s help in Part 2 of this contract series, the Institute confirmed how Tiddlets reproduce. While it was already known that [[Hyperspace Shock]] exposure is fatal, a new discovery reveals that in their final moments, Tiddlets form small crystals—objects of great value to the Institute.
@@ Line 34: / Line 34: @@
 === Dr. Magnus Swanson ===
+When the ships are lined up for the first jump, Professor Toppingbury hails the player one last time in a desperate attempt to stop them.
+If the FTL jump is long enough, half of the Tiddlets die during each jump. Two jumps are sufficient — the second may even be a direct return to the Institute.
+While delivering both the dead and surviving Tiddlets, Dr. Swanson hails the player and congratulates them on a successful operation. He mentions that his engineers will soon automate the process.
+The player keeps the Hop Drive ship — though without the Hop Drive, as it will be repaired and permanently installed on the Tiddlet farm ship. Finally, Dr. Swanson informs the player that he will be in touch.
 === Prof. Artemis Toppingburry ===
-If the player flies to Professor Toppingbury’s hiding place, the professor is relieved and grateful that the Tiddlets have been saved. Together with the player, he helps release all Tiddlets from the farm ship.
+If the player flies to Professor Toppingbury’s hiding place, the professor is relieved and grateful that the Tiddlets have been saved. Together with the player, he helps release all remaining Tiddlets from the farm ship.
-Shortly after, Dr. Swanson hails the player. He is initially concerned by the sudden loss of contact, but becomes horrified when he realizes what the player has done. He threatens serious consequences for both the player and Professor Toppingbury.
+Shortly afterward, Dr. Swanson hails the player. Initially concerned by the sudden loss of contact, he becomes horrified when he realizes what the player has done. He threatens serious consequences for both the player and Professor Toppingbury.
-Toppingbury, however, remains calm. He assures the player that Swanson is operating entirely outside legal boundaries and has no official authority. He promises to do his best to keep the Tiddlets safe—even if Swanson attempts to capture more.
+Toppingbury, however, remains calm. He assures the player that Swanson is operating entirely outside legal boundaries and holds no official authority. He promises to do his best to keep the Tiddlets safe — even if Swanson attempts to capture more.
-The player keeps the rescue ship. Before parting ways, Professor Toppingbury tells the player that he will reach out again if he ever needs help.
+The player keeps the Hop Drive ship — though without the Hop Drive itself, which remains under Institute control. Before parting ways, Professor Toppingbury tells the player he’ll be in touch if he ever needs help.
 == Next Part of the Contract Series ==
-After a short while, Dr. Swanson hails the player, requesting assistance—his ship appears to be compromised. However, the message seems to be a broadcast rather than a direct hail. This marks the beginning of [[The Trouble with Tiddlets, Part 4]].
+After a short while, Dr. Swanson hails the player, requesting assistance — his ship appears to be compromised. However, the message seems to be a broadcast rather than a direct hail. This marks the beginning of [[The Trouble with Tiddlets, Part 4]]. This transition occurs regardless of the choices made.
 == Reward Table ==