Quote - Formicarium Challenge

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

The First Experiment

Mission 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 experiment.

• 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 thirty 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?

The male scientist releases larval devil's coach horse beetles in your formicarium:

• Scientist 2: Let's make things a little more interesting, shall we? Enter... THE DEVIL'S COACH HORSE!

The male scientist releases adult devil's coach horse beetles 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

Mission 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...

The male scientist releases beach tiger beetles 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!

The male scientist releases beach wolf spiders 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: Agreed.

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

Mission 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. {Mimicing Scientist 1}

• 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 the counterparts, victory seems within their grasp... but, what's this? Could it be?... THE ALMIGHTY 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.

The male scientist releases green rove beetles 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...

The male scientist releases blue rove beetles in your formicarium:

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

The male scientist releases tiny whip spiders 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.

The male scientist releases leaf-mimic praying mantises in your formicarium:

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

The male scientist releases mole crickets 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: 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

Misison 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 un-natural? 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 armoured 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 haemolymph filling the arena... {sniffs} can you smell it?

The dragantula is made:

• Scientist 1: {trying to open the door} 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, erm... 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! {menacing laugh}

• 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! {uses intercom} 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 wings! Incredible! Though it does seem a little slow to react... Perhaps we severed a few too many synapses. Have you noticed 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...

• Scientist 2: Hmm... This should do it! {topples furniture}

• Scientist 1: What was that!

• Security guard: {talking into radio} Can I have some more help on 6th please? There's a situation developing here.

• Scientist 2: Hurry now. Not much 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 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

Mission 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: [equipment activation order]. 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 nozzle for the first time:

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

You get hit by the acid:

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

The male scientist releases bombardier beetles 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 for the first time:

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

You get hit by the laser:

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

The male scientist releases tiger beetles 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 for the first time:

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

You get hit by the electric:

• Scientist 2: Oh! That's a shocker!

The male scientist releases spiders 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 for the first time:

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

You get hit by the fire:

• Scientist 2: FIRE!

You gain resistances to all testing equipments:

• Scientist 2: Yes, yes! It's working... The rate of adaptation has accelerated tenfold!

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!

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 releases mantises 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 increasing the [acid discharge stream/ electrode discharge capacity].

The male scientist increases the strength of the second equipment:

• Scientist 2: Let's increase the [acid discharge stream/ laser to... 40 watts/ electrode discharge capacity/ oxygen flow into the burner] next.

The male scientist releases mantises 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 [acid dscharge stream/ laser power/ electrode discharge capacity/ oxygen flow], 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 [acid discharge stream/ laser wattage/ electrode discharge capacity/ 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...

The male scientist releases scorpions 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!

The fifth phase begins:

• Scientist 1: He's here! I knew it!

• Security guard: There's no way out! Put your hands up and step out into the corridor!

• Scientist 2: Just in time!

• Scientist 1: I want him arrested NOW!

• Security guard: I think we should get back.

• Scientist 2: Fire in the hole!

• Security guard: GET BACK!

• Scientist 2: Ahh, my little ants, look at you... Perfected! This is the end I'm afraid. After all, we can't have those brainless parasites unravelling all of your secrets can we? So I hope you understand. It's not personal. There's just one final step.

The male scientist drinks the concoction and transforms:

• Scientist 2: A once lethal catalyst for unbounded mutation, now tamed and molded through YOU! My ereptor host... And finally rectified for human consumption. Tonight I imbibe the power of the colony!

• Scientist 2: Yes I can feel it, it's working!

• Scientist 2: What?

• Colony scientist 2: We are the ultimate state of life!

• Scientist 2: We? What did I say? This shouldn't be happening!

• Colony scientist 2: The power of the colony. The bond of the colony.

• Scientist 2: Nooo!

• Colony scientist 2: Yesss!

• Colony scientist 2: My queen.

You control the hand to crush surface enemies: (random)

• Colony scientist 2: It is done.

• Colony scientist 2: I serve the will of the colony!

• Colony scientist 2: My queen must not be harmed!

• Colony scientist 2: At the behest of the colony!

You win:

• Security guard: The fires are out, we're making our way through to the lab now!

• Colony scientist 2: We must leave now my queen... It is not safe here.

• Colony scientist 2: We will go into the wild and FEED, so that you may birth the first alates. Securing the line of the ereptor will need much sustenance!

• Security guard: Dear lord, what is that!

• Scientist 1: No... NO! What has he done? Get everyone out! Seal the doors!

• Colony scientist 2: Skitter insects!

You lose before the scientist can transform:

• Scientist 2: Arghh! It could be years before I get this opportunity again!

You lose to the equipment combination:

• Scientist 2: Useless ants! Useless failure! You could have been so much more!

You lose after the scientist has transformed:

• Colony scientist 2: No collective... No purpose...

Common events

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

• Scientist 2: You're 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 male scientist cited a line from The Wizard of Oz when the second test ended.

• The security guard is voiced by Finn Godson.