The -4 cycle may have been caused by the Elite Hacker. Whenever she touches one of the computer you've hacked, you lose about 5 cycles. So let's say you were at 1 cycle - 5 cycle = -4 cycle. I've gotten up to -9 cycle and it was while she was out.
Having to place towers 1 by 1 rather than holding down shift to place multiple towers was annoying. [ As others have said ] . This game is far too easy as well. I haven't bought any towers, rather than the basic ones we start out with. Just by simply mazing, it's easy and even then, the penguins don't get very far. Try making this game a bit harder.
 "Paladog"){kind=icon}
 "Medieval Robot Defense"){kind=icon}
 "Upgrade Complete 2"){kind=icon}
 "Cat God vs Sun King"){kind=icon}
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 "Penguins Attack 3"){kind=icon}