The Trouble with Tiddlets, Part 3: Difference between revisions
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== Story == | == 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 or [[Short Hopper]]. | ||
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. | 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. | 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. | ||
Dr. Swanson explains that the | Dr. Swanson explains that the Short Hopper is essential for the next research phase, as Tiddlets also reproduce during hops. Due to its high cost, he urges the player to negotiate the price and offers a bonus for successful bargaining. | ||
The available options depend on the player’s choices made during [[Black Hole Sun, Part 3#Paths|Black Hole Sun, Part 3]]. | The available options depend on the player’s choices made during [[Black Hole Sun, Part 3#Paths|Black Hole Sun, Part 3]]. | ||
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| Dr. Martinez does not respond to the first or second hail attempts. On the third hail, he answers rather rudely and asks why the player is there. He tells the player that his brother died of radiation poisoning and describes the process in gruesome detail before abruptly ending the call. On the fourth hail, he quickly ends the conversation, stating that the ship is for sale at a price of $1,000,000. | | Dr. Martinez does not respond to the first or second hail attempts. On the third hail, he answers rather rudely and asks why the player is there. He tells the player that his brother died of radiation poisoning and describes the process in gruesome detail before abruptly ending the call. On the fourth hail, he quickly ends the conversation, stating that the ship is for sale at a price of $1,000,000. | ||
After this, the player may attempt to hail him again, but each unsuccessful hail increases the ship’s price by $100,000, up to a maximum of $1,500,000. Once the price reaches this limit, the player can no longer hail Dr. Martinez. | After this, the player may attempt to hail him again, but each unsuccessful hail increases the ship’s price by $100,000, up to a maximum of $1,500,000. Once the price reaches this limit, the player can no longer hail Dr. Martinez. | ||
Right after | Right after the ship is purchased — regardless of whether it costs $1,000,000 or $1,500,000 — Dr. Swanson contacts the player, expressing his disappointment. He offers no bonus and expects the player to return to the Institute. | ||
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After acquiring the ship, the player is tasked with pairing it with the Institute’s Tiddlet farm and performing several hops. The player must continue jumping until there are 500 Tiddlets on the farm. At this point, the modified FTL drive is fried, but Dr. Swanson is confident his engineers can repair it. He wants the repaired drive installed directly on the farm ship. The FTL drive on the | After acquiring the ship, the player is tasked with pairing it with the Institute’s Tiddlet farm and performing several hops. The player must continue jumping until there are 500 Tiddlets on the farm. At this point, the modified FTL drive is fried, but Dr. Swanson is confident his engineers can repair it. He wants the repaired drive installed directly on the farm ship. The FTL drive on the Short Hopper is then replaced with a conventional FTL drive. | ||
Dr. Swanson then discusses how many crystals can now be produced from a single jump and requests a series of very long-range jumps. The Tiddlet bodies are to be returned to him. | Dr. Swanson then discusses how many crystals can now be produced from a single jump and requests a series of very long-range jumps. The Tiddlet bodies are to be returned to him. | ||
Just then, Professor Toppingbury contacts the player. He insists that the ongoing experiments are morally wrong and that the Tiddlets deserve better than being farmed and slaughtered. He reveals that he was shut out completely and all his clearances have been revoked. He urges the player to make the right choice and tells them where he is hiding, expressing his intention to free all the Tiddlets. | Just then, Professor Toppingbury contacts the player. He insists that the ongoing experiments are morally wrong and that the Tiddlets deserve better than being farmed and slaughtered. He reveals that he was shut out completely and all his clearances have been revoked. He urges the player to make the right choice and tells them where he is hiding, expressing his intention to free all the Tiddlets. | ||
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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. | 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. | 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 | The player keeps the Short Hopper — 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 === | === Prof. Artemis Toppingburry === | ||
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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. | 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 holds 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 | The player keeps the Short Hopper — though without the Hop Drive, 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 == | == Next Part of the Contract Series == | ||
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* The player’s choice to either support the Institute’s plans or to free the Tiddlets highlights the moral dilemma in this mission. This decision likely influences the story’s direction and reflects the player’s stance on ethics versus scientific progress. | * The player’s choice to either support the Institute’s plans or to free the Tiddlets highlights the moral dilemma in this mission. This decision likely influences the story’s direction and reflects the player’s stance on ethics versus scientific progress. | ||
* Since the The Trouble with Tiddlets series is currently ([[Version History#Alpha 15|Alpha 15]]) one of the few available story contracts, it is currently unclear how these choices will impact future gameplay. | * Since the The Trouble with Tiddlets series is currently ([[Version History#Alpha 15|Alpha 15]]) one of the few available story contracts, it is currently unclear how these choices will impact future gameplay. | ||
* Even if Dr. Martinez’s ship is destroyed after negotiations fail, the Institute is still required to pay $1,500,000 for the Short Hopper. | |||
* | * Damaging Dr. Martinez’s ship or the Short Hopper during the breakdown of negotiations has no effect on the outcome. | ||
* Prior to purchase, the Short Hopper cannot be destroyed, as its damage is capped at 90%. If purchased in this state, the player must transfer a new crew (the original crew is dead) and repair the ship using [[Logistic Drone]]s. | |||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
* | * | ||
[[Contract#Story Contracts|Story Contracts]] | [[Contract#Story Contracts|Story Contracts]] | ||
*[[ | *[[The Trouble with Tiddlets]] | ||
*[[ | *[[The Trouble with Tiddlets, Part 1]] | ||
*[[ | *[[The Trouble with Tiddlets, Part 2]] | ||
*[[The Trouble with Tiddlets, Part 4]] | |||
[[Category:Contracts]] | [[Category:Contracts]] | ||
[[Category:Story Contracts]] | [[Category:Story Contracts]] | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:The Trouble with Tiddlets Series]] | ||