Quote: Formicarium Challenges

This page contains the scientists' dialogues during Formicarium Challenges. There are **SPOILERS** for the main story.

## **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 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 defeat wave 1**:

* **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 defeat wave 2**:

* **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 defeat wave 3**:

* **Scientist 2**: Excellent.

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

**You defeat wave 4**:

* **Scientist 2**: Fascinating...

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

**You defeat wave 5**:

* **Scientist 2**: A superb response.

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

**You defeat wave 6**:

* **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 defeat wave 7**:

* **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 released**:

* **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 released**:

* **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 defeat wave 1**:

* **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 defeat wave 2**:

* **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 defeat wave 3**:

* **Scientist 2**: Excellent defence!

* **Scientist 2**: Increasing to 50 *rufa* ants.

**You defeat wave 4**:

* **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 defeat wave 5**:

* **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 defeat wave 6**:

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

**Beach tiger beetles are released**:

* **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 released**:

* **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**

**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.

* **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 scientist crushes your ants**:

* **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 released**:

* **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 released**:

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

**Whip spiders are released**:

* **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 released**:

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

**Mole crickets are released**:

* **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** *(randomized)*:

* **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**

**Missions 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 about to be released**:

* **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 kill the hermit scorpion**:

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

**The twins are about to be released**:

* **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 kill either of the twins**:

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

**You kill the twins**:

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

**The dragantula is about to be released**:

* **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** *(randomized)*:

* **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 kill a hybrid** *(randomized)*:

* **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 6th 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 killing 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 killing 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!

## **Other events**

**The male scientist drop seeds on the surface** *(randomized)*:

* **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** *(randomized)*:

* **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** *(randomized)*:

* **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.