Haruka's question actually got an amused half-smile from Yachiyo. "Your service will last through your tenure at Chitoku." Her glance flicked momentarily to Ishichi, a blink-and-you'll-miss-it action. "We will ensure that you are properly compensated, as we do anyone who serves our country."

Ryuta's, on the other hand, drew some very sharp reactions. It seemed to infuriate the female soldier, who was only stopped from storming over to the boy by a warning hand on her shoulder from her partner. Sawatari, looking stricken, chewed nervously on her thumbnail, drawing a sympathetic look from Horaoku, and the pair stepped away from the main group to have an inaudible conversation.

But, again, it was Yachiyo who answered. "If we didn't value human life, this project would not exist," she answered stonily. "None of you, nor anyone else, is disposable. I told you that we will provide you with the best protection we have to offer, and I meant it."

And Takaoka felt the need to interject. "The Potential exists in only approximately five percent of the student body, which translates to well under one percent of the population at large, by all accounts. Candidates are actually quite rare."