The Trouble with Tiddlets, Part 3: Difference between revisions

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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 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 path ~~depends on~~ the player’s choices made during [[Black Hole Sun, Part 3#Paths|Black Hole Sun, Part 3]].

=== Consequences ===

The available path is a consequence of the player’s choices made during [[Black Hole Sun, Part 3#Paths|Black Hole Sun, Part 3]].

{| class="wikitable"

! Choice

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|}

=== Ending ===

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.

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 He reveals that he was shut out completely and all his clearances have been revoked.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.

The player is then faced with a crucial choice.

=== Continuation ===

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.

== Paths ==

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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.

No monetary reward is given for this path.

~~== 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]]. This transition occurs regardless of the choices made.

== Reward Matrix ==

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 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 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 path depends on the player’s choices made during [[Black Hole Sun, Part 3#Paths|Black Hole Sun, Part 3]].
+=== Consequences ===
+The available path is a consequence of the player’s choices made during [[Black Hole Sun, Part 3#Paths|Black Hole Sun, Part 3]].
 {| class="wikitable"
 ! Choice
@@ Line 29: / Line 30: @@
 |}
+=== Ending ===
 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.
 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.
 The player is then faced with a crucial choice.
+=== Continuation ===
+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.
 == Paths ==
@@ Line 50: / Line 55: @@
 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.
 No monetary reward is given for this path.
-== 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]]. This transition occurs regardless of the choices made.
 == Reward Matrix ==