ITEMS TO GET: Work Permit, Aquasol DX, Tickets

   Your party automatically goes to Shevat, where you speak briefly with Queen Zephyr. You'll then have the chance to move around, and you can go back down to the dock to board the Yggdrasil. This is your last chance to go back to any towns or do anything out on the world map, because once you go to Solaris, you'll be locked into a track until the very end of the game (and then you still won't be able to revisit the towns). You might also want to keep a backup save here in case you later find your party isn't strong enough to make it through (which is unlikely, since XG is a really easy game).

   Talk to Queen Zephyr again and say that you're ready to go to Solaris. Maria will use Siebzehn to disarm the barrier, while Fei, Elly, and Citan sneak into the city. You end up upside down (a rather cool special effect) on the exterior of Solaris. Just head west and search the top of the pod there. Fei falls in and is transported down to the F Block of Solaris.

   Examine the computer to leave the pod and ride the blue platform down into the city. There's not a whole lot to do here; just head for the third platform (including the one you just came down on) and hop on board. It will take you to Samson's house. Apparently undisturbed by the fact that Fei has his hair, Samson explains how he and Fei can escape F Block. After he's done talking, leave the house and go to the westmost blue platform. Take it up to a house where you'll find... Elly! She promptly rejoins the party. Go back to Samson's house again and talk to Samson again. He gives you a faux Work Permit and tells you to meet him at the watchtower.

   Since there's nothing else to do in F Block, go straight to the wathctower, located to the east of Samson's house. Talk to the guard outside -- it's actually Samson, and he'll let you inside. There's no fights in here; it's just a (small) maze. On the first floor, head northeast and board the second elevator you come to. Hit X to go up to the second floor. Descend the stairs, and go out through the door.

   Watch out, there's a Security Cube wandering around here. If it lines up with you, it'll see you (it can see in all directions), and you'll be sent back to the entrance. Use the flat ledges for cover as you head northwest and then southwest. Enter the door at the end and take the elevator up. Head northwest one room and take the elevator back down. Grab the Aquasol DX from the chest and go back up. Continue northeast several screens until you get to the ID checkpoint. Samson attempts to cross through, only to be disintegrated. Fortunately, Elly's ID is still valid, so she and Fei can pass through. Proceed to the next room and take the lengthy elevator up (there's elevators everywhere in this game, aren't there?) to Etrenank.

   You'll arrive in some sort of bureaucratic office; just exit east into the city proper (and is it just me, or is the music here really inappropriate? It sounds like something from Diddy Kong Racing). Head to the northwest corner of the city and enter the shopping mall. The counter on the right is the item shop, and the middle counter is the weapon/armor shop. Be sure to buy the Matchlock gun for Billy, and pick up Feathered Caps and Crimson Vets for Fei, Elly, and Citan. You could buy some for other characters, but it's not necessary as you'll get some better equipment fairly soon. (Note: There's also a kid here who wants some Pogo-Shoes -- is there any way to find them and give them to the kid, or is this just background?)

   Once you're done shopping, go east from the shopping mall to the next door, on the east side of town. Here, take the elevator (...) up stairs and talk to the woman in the south room. She'll give you a pair of tickets for Emperor Cain's speech. You can also save your game in the north room, though it's not really necessary.

   Tickets in hand, head to the southeast corner of Etrenank and talk to the guy blocking the path to get by. Proceed forward to the Arebato Grounds, where Cain is giving his speech. He and Krelian talk for a while, then Fei and Elly are spotted. You automatically flee and jump into the sewers.