科学協会会長 ニコラス

"Is there a way to eliminate these detestable Bugs..? Nicholas looks full of worry.

You give Jiladas's research data to Nicholas.

"Jiladas asked you to give me this...? Isn't that guy just a freak who only cares about himself...?" Nicholas seems very surprised.

Nicholas skims through Jiladas's research report.

"Great! This report is very helpful to us. It states that the base of the mechanical shells the Bugs are using are minerals from Stan's Quarry. I think we can use this fact to fight against the Bugs!" The look on Nicholas's face reveals a glimmer of hope.

"Perhaps it was the Bugs gradually taking over Jale that made Jiladas want to make an effort to save his countrymen."

"But if the Bugs have mechanized themselves, what is the source of their energy?" Nicholas becomes lost in thought.

"I'm sorry. Can I ask you to help defeat those Frilled Lizards outside? I don't think they've been fully mechanized. Please help me retrieve their Digestive Organs. I want to use them to figure out where exactly they get the energy to power these mechanical parts." Nicholas politely asks you for help.

"Can I ask if you've retrieved the Frilled Lizard Digestive Organs yet? Nicholas asks you about the situation.

"You're so efficient. You got so many samples in such short period of time!" Nicholas is filled with admiration.

As soon as you see Nicholas, he quickly takes the Frilled Lizard's stomach and intestines and puts them into a machine. After the machine starts it then dissects the organs.

"These organs are filled with various minerals. It looks like I'll need to think of a way to verify that these minerals came from Stan's Quarry..." Nicholas lowers his head to think.

"I want to ask you to help me get some minerals from Stan's Quarry so that my Science Analyst can analyze them and see if they're the same as these." As Nicholas is asking for your help, he takes out an instrument that has been exquisitely designed.

"This is a Mineral Collector that was specially designed by the Science Association. I've already activated the coordinates so you just need to follow its instructions. When you get to the destination, press the red button and it will automatically start collecting mineral samples for you." Nicholas explains to you in detail how to use the Mineral Collector.

"After you've gotten the mineral samples, please give them to the Science Analyst, Sara. She will conduct the subsequent analysis."

"If my estimates are correct, the source of the Bugs' energy might be..." Nicholas rubs his chin as he thinks.

You give Sara's report to Nicholas, he looks over it carefully and then continues to think.

"It's just as I had guessed, these Bugs get their energy from the minerals and... Those minerals come from Stan's Quarry."

"Actually Stan's Quarry has produced a lot of energetic ore, but converting this ore into energy is no easy task."

"How did these Bugs manage it?"

"%n%, I think it's necessary to investigate the Bugs at Stan's Quarry." Nicholas looks at you with an imposing manner.

"After all, according to our original knowledge, the Bugs shouldn't know how to use those Energy Minerals. What techniques are they using and where did they learn them? There are too many mysteries that need to be solved."

"But the Mech Bugs near Stan's Quarry are obstructing our research teams. I hope you can help clear them out and ensure the researchers' safety."

"Is the area secure? Then I'm going to hurry and ask the research team to get ready to move."

"The Bugs' bodies aren't particularly strong. Their lifespans are much shorter than Humans, but the trouble is their astonishing breeding capabilities." They use their devastating numbers as an advantage in battle."

"This advantage along with the knowledge of machinery can more than make up for their physical weaknesses. They've become an amazingly destructive army."

"We need to figure out where their techniques are in order to find a way to deal with them. This is why I've been stalwart about venturing into Stan's Quarry."

"While we're investigating Stan's Quarry, there's something else I'd like to ask you to do." Nicholas points to the robot next to him.

"This is JUMP 128, a robot that our association developed. I hope you can take it to the Mercenary Division Head Klaus."

"While you're at it, let him know about our situation here."

*You need a "Combat Mecha Soldier" state to complete the quest.

"As a scientist, an unpublished research report is extremely confidential."

"The results of our research are like our brainchild. If we don't protect it, all our hard work will end up for naught."

You tell Jiladas's secret regarding the final weapon report to Nicholas.

"Since that is the case... As a scientist I can fully understand Jiladas's feelings." Nicholas says with a sigh.

"Science is a noble pursuit for the future, but sometimes what is produces can bring forth dangerous consequences."

"I will take some precautions against similar tricks amongst the other brothers in the association so if you have the chance, I'd like you to relay a message to Jiladas." If he needs any help with anything, our Science Association will be more than happy to lend a hand."

"I'll spread the word around with the Mercenaries.." Nicholas tugs at his glasses.

"From what I know about Klaus, he isn't the kind of person to make those kinds of mistakes. After all, before accepting the mission from Mercenary Division Head he was well known for being a modern-day mechanical wizard."

"Even though our association and the Mercenaries don't get involved in each other's business, if a third-party appraisal is needed, I'm open to discussion."

You hand Nicholas the components you have dug up.

"Is this the Mecha Soldier's control chip?" Nicholas inspects the parts closely: "This is an important recording component of the blackbox...why on earth has it been buried? Don't tell me…?"

You nod your head, and tell him your suspicions about Terry.

"Of course..." Nicholas carefully hands the chip to his assistant.

"There are some definite issues in dealing with the chip in such an unusual way. But rest assured, I'll examine it thoroughly... I won't stand by and watch Klaus be falsely accused."

"After all, his brother really looked out for me in the past."

"%n% , we feel exactly the same way."

"This chip carries the Mecha soldier's drive program. If someone were to plant a virus inside it, the soldier could lose control and attack humans under particular conditions."

"So, was it Louis...?" You ask.

"No, that doesn't seem likely. Only a skilled engineer could have written such a malicious program... Louis doesn't know the first thing about programming."

In that case, there is one very obvious suspect...