There are so many missions in Starfield you'll never run out of things to do. However, not all missions are easy to find. You can pick up worthwhile activities simply by walking past certain NPCs and overhearing a conversation. These activities can lead to other questlines and interesting events that you won't want to miss out on, such as meeting this scientist by a tree in New Atlantis. Keep reading for all the details on this activity and potential questline!
Where to find the scientist by the tree in Starfield
You will get this activity at random when exploring New Atlantis. To find the scientist, you'll want to go to the MAST District of New Atlantis.
Directly down from the MAST building, you'll see a large tree growing. The scientist Kelton Frush is located just below it in a makeshift archway, wearing a white and blue lab uniform. Speaking to him will allow you to start a unique questline involving the tree. The first quest you'll complete, if you choose to accept it, is "A Tree Grows in New Atlantis."
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Starfield "A Tree Grows in New Atlantis" Mission Guide
After speaking to Kelton about the tree, he will inform you that something seems to be odd about the tree's behavior, and it could mean a catastrophic event will occur in New Atlantis if they don't do anything. To help out, he'll need you to pick up some data from him from several different bio-sensors spread out around New Atlantis.
Finding these bio-sensors is a fairly easy task since all you have to do is follow your quest marker; however, the very last sensor will be secured at the UC Distribution Center, as you learn from speaking to Jorden. You'll need to head there and speak to Wen Tseng.
Should you pay Wen 100 Credits for the Bio-Sensor in Starfield?
Unfortunately, Wen will not give you the bio-sensor for free. She'll want to make a profit off the item and will charge you double what she paid for it, adding up to 100 Credits. While you should have well over that amount even on your first visit through New Atlantis, there is another option—steal it.
You can steal the bio-sensor by heading into the office through the door just to the left of the main desk. In the office, the sensor is right on the desk inside, waiting to be grabbed. Be careful not to do it in front of the security officer patrolling back and forth through here. Wait for them to move to the other room, and then you can take it. This is an option to get the bio-sensor for free, but your companions will not like your sneaky techniques.
Whichever way you choose, you can return all the bio-sensors back to Kelton, and he'll pay you 2,000 Credits for doing so. Kelton will need some time to do more research, but after heading off to complete some other missions, you can eventually return to him to continue the questline.
Starfield "Out on a Limb" Mission Guide
Once you return to New Atlantis in search of Kelton, you'll find him in the same location as before, under the tree in the MAST District. Unfortunately, the tree's state has not improved, and Kelton will need your help tracking down even more data to continue his research. This time, you'll need to retrieve the data from a fellow scientist who has some beef with Kelton.
Emilio isn't far away; he can be found in the MAST District as well, just left of The Lodge. As expected, he won't be willing to give over the data to Kelton unless you help him with a favor. You will have two options on how you get through this: persuade Emilio to give over the data without helping him or help him delete some bad report files on him from MAST.
Should you delete the MAST files for Emilio in Starfield?
Choosing to delete the files for Emilio is entirely up to you. If you don't have good enough persuasion skills, you'll probably want to help him to continue the quest. Emilio can also be convinced to pay you for your efforts. If you don't mind getting your hands dirty, this is the better way to go; it will just take some more time.
To delete Emilio's records, head to the Orion Towers and unlock the Chief Engineer's apartment— which should be a Novice lock—to access their computer. On the computer, open the Personnel Files, then Emilio's file, then select the 'Purge All Files' option.
On the other hand, if you have plenty of persuasion skills, you can easily talk Emilio out of making you delete the files and tell him to hand over the data you need without doing so. Then, you can quickly return to Kelton. The only downside is you'll miss the opportunity for some extra credits.
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After you bring Kelton the data from Emilio, he will still pay you for the work you put in, another 3,800 Credits, and he'll once again need some extra time to look over the data, just in case Emilio tries to pull something. Complete a few missions, and you can eventually return to Kelton again.
Starfield "Late Bloomer" Mission Guide
This time visiting Kelton, you'll start the quest, "Late Bloomer," where he'll ask you to help him collect a branch of a tree that is being stored at a museum in Akila City.
Should you steal the branch from the Museum in Starfield?
At the museum, you'll need to speak to the museum organizer at the front desk, Leah Casler, but unfortunately, she won't just give up the branch to you. This means you once again have two options: persuade her or steal it.
The choice is really up to you and how you want your character to be portrayed. The branch is locked in the safe just behind her and on the wall to the right. Her back is turned at the desk, so you can easily sneak behind her and lockpick the safe to grab it. However, you might earn some bad rep with your companions and the city for doing it this way. If you're good at persuasion, I would recommend simply talking her into it instead.
Once you have the branch, you can return it to Kelton. Now, you'll have one more task you need to complete before this is all over. Kelton needs you to broadcast a frequency over the SSNN system that will potentially calm the tree and avoid an incident.
Head to the SSNN Office in the Residental District, as the quest marker shows. Then, open up the console at the back left corner, upload the audio, and 'Run Diagnostic.' Even though nothing seems to be happening, you will return to a very overjoyed Kelton and can complete the quest.
You have successfully helped prevent the impending destruction of New Atlantis; not that anyone was aware of it, but you should feel proud all the same. You protected the city, saved a tree, and, of course, picked up another 6,800 Credits from Kelton for a job well done.
Looking for more Pro Game Guides Starfield content? Check out our guides on Starfield – Where to sell items in New Atlantis (Map) or How to join all factions in Starfield!
Abby Smith is a super nerd and video game fanatic and grew up playing games on a variety of platforms. She likes to spend her free time binge-watching Netflix, reading all genres of novels, and playing all the best new video games. She is currently a full-time Staff Writer for Pro Game Guides, and as an alumni from Full Sail University, also enjoys dabbling in creative writing such as short stories, scripts, and comics on the side.