Transcription

[[Nega-Nick sits next to the small syncytium pool that he emerged from moments ago, talking to the Physaric that followed him from the pool. Several others are either emerging from or visible in the pool behind him.]]
Nega-Nick: [commanding sternly] Status on the assimilation.
Physaric: We are proceeding, albeit slowly. We estimate 34% of the ship's population are under your control.

Nega-Nick: [angrily] Not fast enough. Why are things going so slowly?
Physaric: Our ability to assimilate others seems to diminish the further we are from your presence.

Nega-Nick: [thoughtfully] Huh... Hadn't counted on that. Still trying to figure out how this all works.
[[Another Physaric offers a suggestion.]]
Physaric 2: You... MAY speed things up by assimilating the syncytium directly...

Nega-Nick: [pointing to the second Physaric] Hm... Risky... But it's not like I have much left to lose. You get a promotion, Sparky.