Tales of Symphonia Story, Tethe'alla Chronicles (3)

QUIZ START: After you get out of the sewer, you sigh audibly. Gratefully breathing in clean, not smelling, air.
"We finally made it into the city." Lloyd said, stretching a bit,
"Yeah. Now we can meet my friends." Sheena agreed.
"Where are your friends?" asked Colette curiously.
"At a place called the Elemental Research Laboratory." she said "I learned my summoning arts there. It's also where Corrine was born."
"Okay, lets go to the Elemental Research Laboratory place then." Lloyd nodded. Sheena lead the way to the laboratory, going through the streets casually. No one seemed to notice you; though a few women greeted Zelos fondly. Nobody seemed to know that you were the wanted criminals. After arriving at the lab you see it was also a large, fairly nice building. After walking inside you see there was a woman behind a desk; and a man dressed in red, with a black cloth hiding from the bottom of his face up to right below his eyes. His red hat covering covered low his forehead * A...Ninja?* you think
"Sheena! It's you!" he exclaimed,
"Kuchinawa! Why are you here?" asked Sheena,
"Im on a top-secret mission. What about you?"
"Ah, I'm in a bit of trouble actually. My friends and I need to get across the bridge." she explained,
"Friends? Hmm, they're not from Mizuho." Kuchinawa commented,
"They're from Sylvarant." then she turned towards all of you, "Lloyd, Aura, and everyone! This is a friend from Mizuho. His names Kuchinawa."
"Sheena and I grew up together. Pleased to meet you." he introduced,
"Pleased to meet you." Lloyd nodded,
"I'll go talk to the people in the laboratory." Sheena told you. Kuchinawa went down the stairs then Sheena followed.
"Let's go along and listen, too." Lloyd suggested, then you went downstairs. Sheena and Kuchinawa were talking to two researchers,
"That's insane!" Sheena insisted,
"What's wrong?" asked Lloyd,
"Listen to this!" she exclaimed, "They want us to cross the sea in an Elemental Cargo!"
"...Elemental...Cargo..." you murmur, it sounded familiar for some reason.
"An elemen-what?" asked Lloyd,
"Elemental Cargo. Typically called EC. It's a compact transport vehicle controlled by Exspheres." Presea explained, "Its maximum load weight is 1400kg. And maximum speed is more than three times the faster than an upgraded Exsphere-equipped carriage. They are currently used primarily by shipping companies."
"Hey! What are we, packages?!" demanded Zelos.
"The Elemental Cargo absorbs mana from the atmosphere and ejects it into the air, producing a counter-reaction that propels it forward." the male researcher explained, "So if we use Undine for that, we get an EC that can surf."
"S...surf..." Raine mumbled nervously,
"Isn't there any other way?" Lloyd asked,
"The bridge is closed. You don't have the necessary identification to use an ocean liner." the woman explained, "And on top of that, there are two half-elves with you."
"...Not that again." Genis mumbled. You put a comforting hand on his shoulder,
"That's the kind of world Tethe'alla is." the man said, "...We, too, hardly ever get to leave this building.:
"I wonder why everyone can't get along..." Colette asked,
"Life would be easier if they could." you agree,
"Ah, well, there's no point in getting all gloomy." Zelos put in, "So will you make that modified EC for us?"
"If you'll wait a day, we'll have it ready." the man assured.

The redhead turned towards you all,
"Okay. Well, then, let's go rest at my mansion."
"Mansion?" you ask,
"Why of course~!" he grinned at you,
"The Pope's minions aren't going to be waiting for us there, right?" Sheena asked,
"We're going to have to spend the night in this city." Lloyd commented, "So it doesn't matter where we are, it'll still be dangerous."
"Yeah. I guess you're right." she agreed,
"My mansion's in the nobles' quarters to the right of Castle Tethe'alla." Zelos explained, "It's a conspicuously big building, so you can't miss it." as you left the building you ask,
"So you're like a noble of Tethe'alla?"
"Like a noble, but better. I get more perks." Zelos responded, "Y'know, I'd be more than happy to show you around Meltokio if you ever wanted~"
"Heh...I'll keep that in mind." you respond with a nervous smile.

The next morning, after arriving at the Laboratory, the man from yesterday was waiting for you,
"Welcome back." he greeted "Everything's ready."
"Where's the EC?" asked Sheena curiously,
"Kuchinawa carried it away already."
"Kuchinawa got it?"
"What? I thought Kuchinawa had talked to you about it, but I guess he didn't." he sighed softly, "Go to the artificial beach on the right side of the Grand Tethe'alla Bridge. Kuchinawa should be waiting there. Also, take this with you." he handed Lloyd a small... thing,
"What's this?" he asked curiously,
"What do you mean 'what's this'?" asked the man "It's a wing pack. You store the EC in it."
"...Wing pack..." you murmur, that sounded familiar too,
"In this?! The Elemental Cargo is this small?!" exclaimed Lloyd,
"Ah, I see. They don't have wing packs in Sylvarant." Zelos said, "Man, you guys are a bunch of country folk!"
"Gee, sorry!" Lloyd grumbled,
"Hahaha, don't get mad, now, I'll show you how to use it later." he assured, "Come on, let's get going."
"Wait just a second." Sheena asked, "Come on out, Corrine!" the little Summon Spirit appeared on the table in cloud of smoke. "We're going to be gone for a while. Say good-bye to everyone." he gave her a look, "...It's all right. They aren't going to do any more weird experiments on you."
"Experiments?" you ask Sheena,
"Long story." she responded quickly,
"Corrine, how have you been?" asked the scientist, "Look after Sheena for us." Corrine jumped straight from the desk into your arms, you felt him shaking a little,
"?"
"I hate this place!!" he exclaimed, burying his face in the crook of her elbow, "...I have Sheena so I won't be lonely."
"Corrine!" Sheena scolded "Don't talk like that."
"...Good-bye." then he vanished from your arms in another cloud of smoke.
"I guess Corrine still hates us..." the Scientist sighed softly,
Then you head off out of Meltokio towards the bridge.