The Trouble with Tiddlets, Part 4
The Trouble with Tiddlets, Part 4 is a story contract and the continuation of the The Trouble with Tiddlets series. It becomes available after completing The Trouble with Tiddlets, Part 3, as the player is hailed by Dr. Magnus Swanson shortly after the conclusion, reporting a compromised ship. The mission involves rescuing stranded scientists and dealing with the consequences of the Tiddlet farm’s catastrophic failure.
Story
Upon arrival, the player is immediately hailed by Dr. Swanson, who urgently reports a critical malfunction in the Hop Drive of the Tiddlet farm ship. The vessel is stuck in a loop of uncontrolled FTL jumps — most likely due to a Tiddlet overpopulation aboard.
The player’s mission quickly shifts to rescuing the trapped crew. Each successful docking recovers two scientists, but the attempts are repeatedly interrupted by erratic jumps. After several tense maneuvers, a total of six scientists are rescued before the ship — effectively the Tiddlet farm — explodes. Many of the Tiddlets are seen escaping into space.
Consequences
The available path results directly from the choices the player made in Creating The Trouble with Tiddlets, Part 4.
| Choice | Story | Reward |
|---|---|---|
| Prof. Artemis Toppingbury | Shortly after the explosion, Prof. Artemis Toppingbury contacts the player. He thanks them for their assistance and reveals that he had warned Dr. Swanson about the risks, but his concerns were ignored. Toppingbury states he will now focus entirely on Tiddlet conservation. In appreciation of the player’s efforts, he offers to share the remaining grant funds, providing a reward of $300,000.
During the operation, two Tiddlets were inadvertently taken aboard the player’s ship. Toppingbury assures the player that two Tiddlets pose no risk, but strongly advises against adding a third. He also emphasizes that the player should care for them responsibly. |
$300,000 |
| Dr. Magnus Swanson | If the player previously sided with Dr. Swanson, Prof. Toppingbury’s tone is more somber. He does not express gratitude, but rather disappointment. He explains that he had warned Swanson and had hoped either Swanson or the player would act in the Tiddlets’ interest — but instead, both chose profit over ethics. Despite this, he reaffirms his commitment to Tiddlet preservation.
The two Tiddlets still end up aboard the player’s ship. Toppingbury repeats his warning: two are safe, but a third would be dangerous. He urges the player to take care of them, regardless of past choices. |
$0 |
Resolution
The Trouble with Tiddlets, Part 4 serves as the aftermath of the events and decisions made in earlier missions. The failure of the Tiddlet farm ship, the rescue of the remaining scientists, and the subtle moral consequences underscore the fragility of experimentation with alien lifeforms. Regardless of previous choices, the mission ends with the Institute’s failure and a new, cautious beginning — with two Tiddlets now aboard the player’s ship and Prof. Toppingbury’s warning lingering.
Reward Matrix
This matrix displays the combined rewards from Black Hole Sun, Part 3, The Trouble with Tiddlets, Part 3 and The Trouble with Tiddlets, Part 4, based on player choices.
| Choices | Support Dr. Swanson | Free the Tiddlets |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate Rescue | $1,060,000 | $1,060,000 |
| Partial Data | $1,090,000 to $1,280,000 | $1,090,000 to $1,280,000 |
| Full Data | $650,000 to $800,000 | $650,000 to $800,000 |
Curiously, due to the final $300,000 awarded by Prof. Toppingbury, the choice between freeing the Tiddlets or following through with Dr. Swanson’s plan has no impact on the overall financial outcome of the combined contract series.
Conclusion
Regardless of the player’s previous choices, the mission ends with the destruction of the Tiddlet farm ship and the rescue of six surviving scientists. Two Tiddlets remain aboard the player’s ship, and Prof. Toppingbury’s message — whether grateful or critical — sets the stage for future consequences. This marks a turning point in the storyline and concludes The Trouble with Tiddlets series for now.
Notes
- The outcome of this mission is largely narrative-driven and does not vary in structure based on previous choices, but the dialogue and tone from Prof. Toppingbury reflect the player’s earlier decisions.
- The two Tiddlets become a semi-permanent part of the player’s ship, though their role in later missions is currently unclear (Alpha 15).
- This contract marks the destruction of the Tiddlet farm ship and the effective end of Dr. Swanson’s project — whether acknowledged or not.