Xenoblade Chronicles Guide- Walkthrough Part 7: A Talk with Dickson

On your way in, make sure to stop a moment and check for other people to talk to- there is a Nopon who likes to hang out there during the day, and a few other military personnel work in the building once their shifts for patrol end in the early morning.  Within Shulk’s lab is the expected somewhat-steampunky equipment- and the Monado, silent and set upon a pedestal for study.

Stepping into the workshop proper provokes the next event in the story- the appearance of Dickson, the most heavily facial-haired of the three who featured in the introduction to the game.  Dickson and Shulk have a lengthy discussion about the Monado- about how difficult it is for anyone to control the strange crimson weapon and its energy blade.

Dickson points out the difficulties, but Shulk brings up the strange symbol that appears in the middle of the ring that the weapon bears where most swords would a cross-guard.  He points out that there is more than one layer of glass there, and that the symbol only appears on a single layer.  His theory is that if he can manage to make a different symbol appear, the sword may prove more controllable- or even have a different effect altogether.

The discussion wanders to the events of a year gone, the events of the introduction.  Instead of the battle, though, it jumps to the aftermath, particularly when Dunban and Dickson returned to Colony 9- and Dunban gave the Monado over to Shulk to study, making a personal request of him as well.

During this flashback, you also learn that the Monado somehow controlled Dunban- but in a way that saved the colony, a particularly weird sort of an action for a mind-controlling sword.

Their discussion over, Dickson turns to leave so he can go bring some more supplies to the Defence Force- but stops to turn back to Shulk.

He points out that the young man is a bit of a shut-in, spending large amounts of time in his lab, researching the Monado and working with scrap metal to make useful things.  Shulk tries to blow him off, but Dickson insists that Shulk needs to get out of the lab more and go do something outside- perhaps get a little sun.  Finally, the moustached man leaves.  Shulk takes a moment to contemplate the crimson sword and the lab that surrounds it, then turns to go as well.

The camera turns to the Monado, slowly zooming in on it.... and then it’s time for a scene shift.