Yoshio Nishina

Yoshio Nishina (1890-1943) was a Japanese nuclear physicist. Through the use of his interpreter, Nishina was able to get a great deal of scientific knowledge about atomic bombs from Lizard POW, Teerts, whose killercraft had been downed in Japan.

Nishina surprised and dismayed Teerts with his knowledge of uranium and the theoretical processes for weaponizing it. Nishina also demanded Teerts' knowledge on the use of plutonium in bombs. Initially, Nishina extracted knowledge from Teerts through torture. However, after the addictive properties of ginger in Lizards was discovered, Nishina had much better luck turning Teerts into a pliant addict. Nishina grew less guarded with the cooperative Teerts, allowing him to follow Japan's progress so Teerts could confirm that they were on the right path.

Indeed, Nishina willingness to share information with Teerts was his, and very nearly his country's, undoing. When Teerts was liberated, he immediately informed his superiors about Japan's progress. The Race a-bombed Tokyo. Nishina died in the attack.