Inside the archive room security corridor you have to manipulate and move the spider by clicking the directional arrows at the bottom right of the screen. It takes a while to get the hang of these controls - bearing in mind that movement is relative to the spider, not what you see on the screen. In other words, clicking the LEFT arrow will turn the spider to its left, not your left. The next important thing to note is that spiders can only move forwards. Also, clicking the FORWARD arrow moves the spider in the direction it is facing, not the direction of the arrow. Lastly, the bottom arrow turns the spider around to face the opposite way. There's no need to use this arrow as clicking either the LEFT or RIGHT arrow twice achieves the same thing.
Certain black tiles are 'neutral' in that the lasers don't pass over them, while others are 'danger' tiles, i.e. one or more lasers will pass over them. When plotting your path across the tiles you should, wherever possible, make use of 'neutral' tiles.
As a spider can remain on, or move across 'neutral' tiles without interference from the lasers there are no limits on how long it remains there or how quickly you move it. Movements along 'neutral' tiles are shown in BLUE.
Movements on or along 'danger' tiles are timed sequences and must be done without stopping or pausing. They are always shown in RED.
When controlling a spider during a timed sequence (along 'danger' tiles) DON'T wait for it to stop moving before you move the cursor to the next directional arrow - you should position the cursor while the spider is moving so that the next arrow in the sequence can be clicked as soon as the spider completes it current move.
The easiest way to tell that a spider has completed its move is when the sound it makes stops. Therefore, as a suggestion, turn down the music volume completely and ensure that the FX volume is at maximum.
You won't be able to work out moves or consult your notes during a timed sequence. I found a neat way around this! Write the timed sequence on a small piece of paper, preferably a sticky ®Post-It, which you can attach to your actual monitor just below the directional arrows. Try this, it makes things so much easier!
LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION...
Begin by clicking the large red button on the control panel to release a robotic spider. Clicking anywhere on the directional arrows will set it in motion, and it heads off through the ventilation shaft.
The spider can access the black tiles at any one of the three tiles numbered 1, 2 or 3 in the graphic. Study the movement of the lasers across these tiles and note that 2 remains free (no laser passing over it) for longer than either 1 or 3, so this tile is the best place to enter the black tiled area.
From the START position move the spider to the front of 2 (facing it) by using the following directional arrows:
F F R F
The next move is 'blind' in that you don't quite know where you're going. Think of tiles 1,2 and 3 as the first row of tiles and try get to the second row of tiles by moving the spider FORWARD twice. To maximize the time you have to do this only begin moving the spider when the two lasers cross each other in the middle, as shown in the graphic above. This is the first timed sequence. Remember that the spiders second move FORWARD must be done without pausing or stopping after its first move FORWARD is completed.
F F
Fortunately most of the tiles in the second row are 'neutral' and you have time to analyze your position and plot the next move. Study the laser movements and note that all the floor tiles in the second row (1 - 5) are 'neutral'. The first wall tile on the spider's left (marked 6) is 'neutral' but the one above it is a 'danger' tile. The tiles on the opposite wall (to the spider's right) all seem to be 'neutral'.
From its current position (3) move the spider to the wall tile (next to and above 1) as follows:
R F F F
You get your first glimpse of the spider's intended destination.
The main security panel can only be accessed from tiles 1 or 2. Again, study the laser movement and note the activity over tile 1 and the one directly above it. The laser movement over these tiles is far too rapid to allow you to get a spider across them. This means that the only route to the main panel is to approach tile 2 from the tile above it. You therefore have to use the opposite wall to get the spider to a position above tile 2. Also, note that the tile above the door is 'neutral' - this comes in handy later.
To return the spider to its previous position on the floor tiles, use the following sequence:
R R F F F
The spider should be back on tile 3 (as per the second graphic above) but will be facing towards tile 4. To move it to tile 6 (on the opposite wall) use the following sequence:
F F F
Again watch the laser's movement carefully to note that tiles 1 and 2 are 'neutral'. To get the spider to 1 it must be moved across the tile directly above it. Starting from the tile above the spider the laser sweeps upwards, left and then down before again passing over the tile. The spider has to be moved when the laser is 'away' from the tile, so start moving it as soon as the laser begins its upward sweep from the position marked in the graphic.
This is the second timed sequence and the directional arrows must be clicked as follows:
F R F
The spider should now be on 1. From here move it to 2, then turn it to the right so it faces the far wall. Click the following directional arrows to do this:
L F R
You are now at a critical point and face the most daunting of the timed sequences.
Analyze the laser movements and note that tiles 2, 3 and 4 are 'neutral'. You must therefore get the spider from where it is (START) to tile 2 (END) - the first available 'neutral' tile. There are also two lasers to avoid, so finding the optimum time to start moving is not easy. Fortunately you have an endless supply of robotic spiders. Keep your eye on the laser indicated in the graphic and wait for its downward sweep. The ideal time to start moving the spider is as this laser passes over the top left corner of the cover - as illustrated in the graphic.
There are eight moves to make and you might want to re-read the GENERAL TIPS above to assist you. Also, I found it slightly easier to separate the moves into four pairs. You will probably need a few tries to master these moves, so don't give up if you fail at the first attempt.
The sequence in which to click the directional arrows is as follows:
F L F F R F L F
From where the spider is now (2) move it across tiles 3 and 4 to 5. You noted that 5 (above the door) is 'neutral' when you had the spider on the other wall, so you can safely move the spider onto it.
R F F L F
As you move the spider onto tile 5 the view changes to that in the graphic below.
By now you should know the drill. Tiles 2, 3 and 4 are 'neutral', so move the spider from where it is (1) across 2 and 3 to 4, then turn it to the right. Use the following directional arrows to do this:
F L F F R
You're now ready to hit the home stretch! Although all the tiles the spider has to move across are 'danger' tiles, they are in a straight line and you need only use the FORWARD arrow.
Study the laser's movement along these tiles and note that it sweeps along the path you must follow, then to the right and up along the bank of tiles to the right of the path. You therefore start moving the spider as soon as the laser begins its downward sweep from the tile indicated in the graphic. Also, as only the FORWARD arrow is needed, just keep the mouse button pressed on the arrow.
