Quote - Formicarium Challenge

This page shows the dialogues of the scientists during the formicarium challenges.

The First Experiment

Level begins:

• Scientist 1: I think it is time we connected the outworld to the feeder colonies. I want to see how these ereptors respond under pressure.

• Scientist 2: I will prepare the experiments.

• Scientist 1: Let’s begin with a small threat.

• Scientist 2: Connecting the fusca colony now... I will let ten through to start with.

You eliminate the first wave:

• Scientist 2: The ereptors identified the threat and responded very quickly!

• Scientist 1: Excellent! Let’s see how they handle a few more, shall we?

• Scientist 2: Introducing 20 Formica fusca ants.

You eliminate the second wave:

• Scientist 2: Our ereptors have neutralized the threat to their queen.

• Scientist 1: Good. Continue the experiment, let me know the results. Don’t add more than 30 ants at once, though. We don’t want to harm the queen.

• Scientist 2: Understood.

• Scientist 2: Hmm... I wonder how they will react to a rival ereptor colony... Introducing 40 rival ereptor ants.

You eliminate the third wave:

• Scientist 2: Excellent.

• Scientist 2: Introducing a further 50 rival ereptor ants.

You eliminate the fourth wave:

• Scientist 2: Fascinating...

• Scientist 2: Now let’s try 60 ereptor ants.

You eliminate the fifth wave:

• Scientist 2: A superb response.

• Scientist 2: What about a combination of ereptor and fusca? Let’s start with 20 of each.

You eliminate the sixth wave:

• Scientist 2: An unconventional defence, yet highly effective.

• Scientist 2: It’s interesting to see the colony fight on two fronts. Perhaps we should try 30 of each...

You eliminate the seventh wave:

• Scientist 2: Magnificient! Once again, our ereptors triumph.

• Scientist 2: The colony’s ability to withstand such overwhelming assaults is incredible! I wonder... how will they handle a sustained flow of aggressors?

Larval devil's coach horse beetles are dropped in your formicarium:

• Scientist 2: Let’s make things a little more interesting, shall we? Enter... the devil’s coach horse beetles.

Adult devil's coach horse beetles are dropped in your formicarium:

• Scientist 2: Whoops! I seem to have dropped my beetles! I hope they don’t harm the little ants.

The final wave ends:

• Scientist 2: Perhaps... that’s enough for now.

You win:

• Scientist 1: How has the colony been responding?

• Scientist 2: They mounted an excellent defence against 20, 25 and even 30 fusca ants, as you suggested.

• Scientist 1: Perfect. Perhaps we can provide more of a challenge for them next time.

• Scientist 2: What a fantastic suggestion!

You lose:

• Scientist 1: What is going on? What happpened to the queen?

• Scientist 2: The ants were weak and confused. We should start again with a healthier colony.

• Scientist 1: Very well. Purge the formicarium.

The Second Experiment

Level begins:

• Scientist 1: The colony seems to have made significant progress. Perhaps it is time we began phase 2 of the trial.

• Scientist 2: Agreed. I will prepare the feeder colonies.

• Scientist 1: Let’s ease them in with a familiar disturbance. Introduce 20 Formica fusca ants.

• Scientist 2: The fusca colony is attached, and the ants are on their way...

You eliminate the first wave:

• Scientist 1: I see they haven’t lost their potency! Now let’s try the Formica rufa ants.

• Scientist 2: The rufa will be more aggressive. Our ereptors will need to put up a strong defence. Adding 20 rufa ants...

You eliminate the second wave:

• Scientist 2: Once again, our ereptors have neutralised the threat to their queen.

• Scientist 1: Good, continue the experiment as before, but don’t push the colony too hard.

• Scientist 2: Of course not, that would be... irresponsible.

• Scientist 2: Introducing 40 rufa ants.

You eliminate the third wave:

• Scientist 2: Excellent defence!

• Scientist 2: Increasing to 50 rufa ants.

You eliminate the fourth wave:

• Scientist 2: Good, good...

• Scientist 2: Now let’s see how they handle the rufa and the fusca invaders. We will start with 30 of each.

You eliminate the fifth wave:

• Scientist 2: A wonderful victory, on two fronts.

• Scientist 2: Perhaps we should try three colonies this time... Introducing 30 of each, rufa, fusca and ereptor ants.

You eliminate the sixth wave:

• Scientist 2: I wonder how long they will survive against a sustained flow from all three colonies, let’s see...

Beach tiger beetles are dropped in your formicarium:

• Scientist 2: You are doing well, my intrepid ereptors, but what’s this? A giant tiger beetle has joined the fray! And another, and another... Oh no! Three tiger beetles!

Beach wolf spiders are dropped in your formicarium:

• Scientist 2: Good work my little ants, but what’s this? 1, 2, 3... 9, 10 wolf spiders! It hardly seems fair!

You win:

• Scientist 2: Yes! Yes! Victory to the ereptor!

• Scientist 1: What’s going on here?

• Scientist 2: Ah, yes, the ants performed excelently against the rufa. They just staved of an attack of 40 rufa ants.

• Scientist 1: 40? I think that’s enough for now. We don’t want to over stress them.

• Scientist 2: Agree.

You lose:

• Scientist 1: What is going on? What happened to the queen?

• Scientist 2: The ants fell victim to the rufa's formic acid spray far too quickly. We should start again with a healthier colony.

• Scientist 1: Very well. Purge the formicarium.

Possibly the Final Experiment

Level begins:

• Scientist 1: I’m afraid we have ran out of time. It doesn’t matter if the nest isn’t perfect. Run the experiment, then clear out the specimens and bleach the equipment.

• Scientist 2: Yes. Yes. I know. I’m doing it.

• Scientist 1: And when you are finished here, I think we should have a word about your conduct around the laboratory.

• Scientist 2: I think we should have a word about your conduct around the laboratory.

• Scientist 1: What was that?!

• Scientist 2: Nothing, nothing, starting the experiment.

• Scientist 1: Good, let me know when you have a result.

• Scientist 2: Okay my little ants, this is it! The winner will have the privilege of joining me for the ultimate test, the real final experiment. The loser will be relegated to the waste disposal.

• Scientist 2: The formicarium are connected... Let the war commence!

• Scientist 2: I wonder which colony will strike first...

You encounter the enemy colony for the first time:

• Scientist 2: The ereptors finally meet! Interesting combinations. I wonder which is more effective...

The male scientist crushes your ants: (random)

• Scientist 2: Our ereptors are beating back their counterparts, victory seems within their grasp. But, what’s this? Could it be?... The mighty hand of god! Haha!

• Scientist 2: Quickly my little ereptors, you wouldn’t want to be caught by the finger of death! Haha!

• Scientist 2: Hmm... Things seem a little too easy for our ereptors. Perhaps I should level the playing field.

Green rove beetles are dropped in your formicarium:

• Scientist 2: This is no time to retreat underground. Perhaps our ereptors can be coaxed back out with a few rove beetles...

Blue rove beetles are dropped in your formicarium:

• Scientist 2: Hmm, perhaps more rove beetles are needed.

Whip spiders are dropped in your formicarium: (random)

• Scientist 2: Retreating back into the nest? We can't have that. Perhaps you can coaxed out with a few whip spiders.

• Scientist 2: Hah, yes perhaps some more whip spiders are needed.

Leaf-mimic praying mantises are dropped in your formicarium:

• Scientist 2: The great battle has disturbed... the praying mantis! Haha!

Mole crickets are released in your nest:

• Scientist 2: Hmm... most of our ereptors are fighting very far from their nest. I wonder... what would happen if their queen was threatened? Yes, these mole crickets should reveal the relevant behaviors.

You invade the enemy nest:

• Scientist 2: Yes... yes... Excellent progress my ereptors, strike at your nemesis. There can only be one!

You attack the enemy queen (random):

• Scientist 2: Yes... good... yes.

• Scientist 2: Yes, yes...

• Scientist 2: Get her... get her! Yes!

You win:

• Scientist 2: Haha! Perfect! I know my ereptors would prevail. Now we can prepare for the real...

• Scientist 1: Have you finished yet?

• Scientist 2: Yes, our ereptors have dominated the formicarium.

• Scientist 1: Wonderful, I expect a full report by the end of the week. For now you can start by clearing away. Make sure anything contaminated with that jelly goes straight to the incinerator!

• Scientist 2: Yes, yes, very good.

You lose:

• Scientist 2: Pathetic, useless ants! Hmm, perhaps this new colony will prove to be a superior research subject...

The Final Experiment

Level begins:

• Scientist 1: They’re about to start the glaber trials at site B, are you coming?

• Scientist 2: Oh! Um... No. Mole rats. Not really my area of interest. Besides, this report won't write itself. Nose to the grindstone, shoulder to the wheel, busy, busy, busy!

• Scientist 1: Right well, I'll be back in an hour then.

• Scientist 2: No need to rush! I have everything quite in hand.

• Scientist 2: Unfortunately, we're still waiting on aparatus critical to the final experiment. But fate has presented us an opportunity, and this we must take! There's plenty to get started with for now. We'll need specimens, transposition canisters, towels, scalpels, glycerol, my trusty curette, and of course jelly!

The hermit scorpion is made:

• Scientist 2: So my enduring ereptors, we’ve witnessed your proficiency for resisting natural predators, but what about the unnatural? After all, our work with the counterparts barely scratched the surface. Even on incompatible subjects, the effects of the jelly are remarkable.

• Scientist 2: It may not look very pretty, nor indeed live longer than a day, but for our purpose, it’s perfect. May I present to you... my most amored hybrid: the hermit scorpion!

You encounter the hermit scorpion for the first time:

• Scientist 2: Like water on rock, the ereptors crash against the hybrid! How many will fall? Perhaps them all!

You mount the hermit scorpion for the first time :

• Scientist 2: The ereptors attack the shell! Do they not know what lies within?

The hermit scorpion breaks its shell:

• Scientist 2: Yes! The stinger opens and it’s functional! Go, my furious hybrid, spike the ants! Spike them!

You eliminate the hermit scorpion:

• Scientist 2: Hermit scorpion... hmm. It sounded better in my head. No matter, every stimulation spurs the permutations!

The twins are made:

• Scientist 2: Perhaps a more elaborate test to follow. Something to provoke a creative response. Now, do we want raptorial forelegs or pedipalps... forelegs or pedipalps... ah, silly me, we want both of course!

• Scientist 2: No, don’t do that! That’s your sister, no no no! Right, we’re keeping you two apart.

You retreat after attacking the twins:

• Scientist 2: Aww... What’s the matter, my ereptors? Is the whip mantis being nasty?

The twins attack each other for the first time:

• Scientist 2: Yes... Clever little ants. Work smarter, not harder!

You eliminate either of the twins:

• Scientist 2: Only one remains... Kill it!

You eliminate the twins:

• Scientist 2: Wonderful! Both champions bested! The caustic scent of hemolymph filling the arena... can you smell it?

The dragantula is made:

• Scientist 1: What’s going on in there? Open the door!

• Scientist 2: What’s she doing back? We need more time!

• Scientist 2: I’m sorry, there’s been a... containment, em... contamination!

• Scientist 1: What are you talking about?

• Scientist 2: Said the spider to the fly, you’re witty and you’re wise. How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!

• Scientist 1: Where’s your hazmat suit? There’s no contamination, let me in!

• Scientist 2: Yes, yes, contamination, yes,... and... it lives! I have to say, I do my best work, under pressure, in you go!

• Scientist 1: Open the door this instant or I’ll have you escorted from the building.

• Scientist 2: Open the door? No problem, I’m on my way!

• Scientist 1: Right! That’s it! Can I have a security team on the 6th floor please?

The dragantula takes off for the first time:

• Scientist 2: It’s using its wing! Incredible! Though it does seem a little slow to react... Perhaps we severed a few too many synapse. Have you notice that, my ereptors?

The dragantula loses half of its health:

• Scientist 1: Here! I need this door opening and that man removed immediately!

• Scientist 2: Why must they constantly disrupt our work! You deal with the hybrid, I’ll buy us some more time...

The male scientist knocks on the glass after the dragantula has been released: (random)

• Scientist 2: Unacceptable! Face your demon!

• Scientist 2: There's nowhere to hide! Show some spirit! Where's your backbone? Oh, I apologize, you don't have one do you?

• Scientist 2: If you come out, I'll give you a blob of jelly for dinner, how about that?

You take too long to eliminate a hybrid (random):

• Scientist 2: What are you doing? You’ve barely scratched the beast.

• Scientist 2: Get on with it! Get on with it!

You win:

• Scientist 2: Yes! Defeated! Oh, if only we could finish now, but we must be patient. You’ll have to stay in here for now where they won’t find you. Don’t give up! I’ll be back soon my little ereptors...

• Scientist 1: What was that!

• Security guard: Can I have some more help on the sixth please? There’s a situation developing here.

• Scientist 2: Hurry now. Not much time!

• Scientist 2: What is the meaning of this?

• Scientist 1: Get him out of here!

• Security guard: It’s okay, I just need to escort you off site. Come on.

• Scientist 2: Absolutely unacceptable! You’ll be hearing from my union representative.

• Security guard: Okay, okay! Sorry!

• Scientist 2: Don’t touch me! That is assault my friend! Oh I hope those cameras are recording!

• Security guard: Come on!

• Scientist 2: You’re all in trouble! Big, big trouble! Oh yes!

• Security guard: Okay, that’s enough!

You lose by not eliminating the hermit scorpion or the twins in time:

• Scientist 2: Oh now look what you've made me do... Weeks of progress ruined! I suppose we can always start again with a more potent queen.

You lose by not eliminating the dragantula in time:

• Security guard: Shh... Okay, okay, it's okay.

• Scientist 2: No! Look what you've made me do! It's ruined! It's all ruined!

• Scientist 1: Get him out of here!

• Security guard: Enough of that please. Come on, let's go.

• Scientist 1: What on earth have you been doing? You don't have clearance for hybrid experiments!

• Scientist 2: Don't touch that! My specimens!

• Security guard: This way, watch your step!

• Scientist 1: On second thought... Don't let him off site. I need to speak with the controller.

• Security guard: Come on, straighten this all out! It's okay!

• Scientist 2: No! Get off!

The REAL Final Experiment

Level begins:

• Scientist 2: Guess what I've got?

• Scientist 2: It's been a long road hasn't it my ereptors? You've done so well. Everyone doubted your potential for selective assimilation... Everyone except for me of course. We need only arouse the remaining mutation vectors and it will be complete. Imagine it... No host rejection, no secondary augmentations. Tonight, we finish it. Tonight we conduct the final experiment! Everything is arranged, perhaps not as clinical as certified company equipment but we'll make do. Our fates are intertwined now, my little ants. Do not fail me.

The first phase begins:

• Scientist 2: We'll program a simple linear sequence to begin with: acid, laser, electrode, then fire. Don’t be shy, you want the jelly don’t you? Look! A nice big blob on the surface, come and get it!

The male scientist knocks on the glass during the first phase: (random)

• Scientist 2: Wakey, wakey!

• Scientist 2: If you think by not trying, you can't fail, you are very much mistaken!

• Scientist 2: The early bird catches the death ray!

You gather Royal Jelly for the first time:

• Scientist 2: You haven't tasted this before have you my ereptors? Pure, concentrated jelly. None of the other specimens survived exposure, so you'll be the first. Unless my hypothesis is wrong, in which case lethal neoplasms will spread through the colony. No one wants to see that.

The male scientists activates the acid cannon:

• Scientist 2: The acid is pressurised, the nozzle takes aim, the danger is clear, but the jelly's right here!... Your move.

You lose an ant to the acid:

• Scientist 2: Look what I’ve done! You’re melting... melting! Oh what a world, what a world.

Bombardier beetles are dropped in your formicarium:

• Scientist 2: How about some bombardier beetles? Now that you’ve faced down a jet of noxious superacid, these should be child’s play!

The male scientist activates the laser galvanometer:

• Scientist 2: The laser is charged to 20 watts. Don't look into the beam!

You lose an ant to the laser:

• Scientist 2: Oof! Perhaps a little too powerful... Or not powerful enough?

Tiger beetles are dropped in your formicarium:

• Scientist 2: All this noisy equipment must be quite intimidating, how about a familiar distraction? A handful of tiger beetles will do nicely.

The male scientists activates the capacitors:

• Scientist 2: Charging the capacitors... Now don’t be startled if you hear a slight pop!

You lose an ant to the electricity:

• Scientist 2: Oh! That's a shocker!

Spiders are dropped in your formicarium:

• Scientist 2: Imagine while all this is going on, if you had to share your terrarium with a collection of highly agitated spiders. Why, it would be absolute pandemonium... Whoops!

The male scientists activates the flamethrower:

• Scientist 2: Fire extinguisher on standby for this one! Safety first...

You lose an ant to the fire:

• Scientist 2: FIRE!

The second phase begins:

• Scientist 2: And that concludes the warm up test. How was that? Feeling limber? Stretched? Hungry for more? Good. Next, we’ll observe the effects of simultaneous exposure to multiple stimulants... Programming in a distributed sequence… there. Good luck!

The male scientist knocks on the glass during the first phase: (random)

• Scientist 2: We don’t have time for your indolence!

• Scientist 2: Don't you understand? You need stimulation!

• Scientist 2: My work will not be hampered by your timidness! GET OUT!

Mantises are dropped in your formicarium for the first time:

• Scientist 2: Let's make the arena more interesting shall we? What about a selection of angry mantises! That's interesting isn't it?

The male scientist increases the strength of the first equipment:

• Scientist 2: Hmm, perhaps the stimulation intensity should be increased. After all, our brave ereptors have not come this far to be coddled. They expect stringent test conditions! We’ll start by expanding the acid discharge stream.

The male scientist increases the strength of the second equipment:

• Scientist 2: Let’s increase the laser to... 40 watts next.

Mantises are dropped in your formicarium for the second time:

• Scientist 2: Oh, and it looks like you’re running out of mantises! Let me help you with that.

The third phase begins:

• Scientist 2: Exposure to three cycles of each stimulant complete. It would seem that full spectrum immunity has yet to develop... Do you know what that means, my little ereptors? That’s right! You’re so clever!... Inserting triplet stimulant combinations into the sequence! We just need to increase the power draw... No! Useless isolator! OW!

• Scientist 2: Where is it? Aha! I just need to prise it open...

• Scientist 2: Let there be light! And then there was... Erm... This could complicate matters.

• Scientist 2: 1, 3, 6, 2... Well, that was rude isn't it?

• Scientist 2: 1, 3, 6, 2... Change the alarm codes have we? Well how about THESE ALARM CODES!

• Scientist 2: Wonderful! Perfect!

• Scientist 2: Almost! Again! Shut up!

The male scientist increases the strength of the third equipment:

• Scientist 2: I think it’s about time we increase the electrode discharge capacity, don’t you? After all, that little fiasco won’t have gone unnoticed. Oh, and I almost forgot to connect the feeder colonies! You remember those don’t you, my little ereptors?

The male scientist increases the strength of the fourth equipment:

• Scientist 2: Hmm... What’s left? Ah! Increasing the burner oxygen flow... Quickly now, we don't have much time.

Multiple attacking waves enter your formicarium at once for the first time:

• Scientist 2: Perhaps more ants will help to heighten the urgency...

Scorpions are dropped in your formicarium:

• Scientist 2: Already?! Can you not give me a moment’s peace? Well, there’s no going back now. Programming in the final sequence... Oh, it comes with scorpions!

The fourth phase begins:

• Scientist 2: I’d love to stay and observe, but I need to go and buy us a little more time. Good thing I brought my dynamite!

• Scientist 2: I'll put a little bit here, a little bit there... here, there, here, there, spread it all about. The doorframe connected to the fuse bit, the fuse bit connected to the wire bit. The wire bit connected to my foot bone… Oh… that can’t be right!

(to be added)

Other events

The male scientist drop seeds on the surface: (random)

• Scientist 2: You are doing admirably, my ereptors. Perhaps a small reward... look to the surface.

• Scientist 2: Some seeds on the surface for my succeeding ereptors! Gather them quickly.

• Scientist 2: Would it be unfair to help the colony out? Perhaps... but I’m feeling generous. Collect your seeds swiftly, my little ants.

• Scientist 2: Good, good! A little helping hand for what comes next... Collect it quickly! Faster, faster.

The male scientist knocks on the glass: (random)

• Scientist 2: Come out my little ereptors. It’s time for battle.

• Scientist 2: Come on, come on!... come on.

• Scientist 2: Out you go! Out you go.

• Scientist 2: Hurry up, hurry up!... hurry up.

• Scientist 2: Come out, come out, come out.

The queen is attacked: (random)

• Scientist 2: Be careful my queen, I'm not finished with you yet...

• Scientist 2: Oh dear... Could our colony be in trouble?

• Scientist 2: The queen is in danger. Perhaps I should stop the experiment.

Trivia

• The male scientist cited the poem The Spider and the Fly while he was making the dragantula.

• The security guard is voiced by Finn Godson.