People in the hall found it hard to clap or cheer. Half of them had failed to get through their program. That might have meant close friends they had gotten to know over a span of 10 weeks. 2 and a half months was a long time to get to know somebody. Especially when the members of the squads were in such close proximity. Day in and day out, those boys had their 5 squad mates as constant companions on the base as they trained, ate, learned and attempted to synchronize with one another. That was not even considering the effects of synchronizing. They combines their energy to become as one. Their minds and thoughts temporarily melded together to the point their all could feel and see the other's memories and emotions. That was a bond that could not be simply tossed away. Not if they were actually good stable people. Even with some antisocial traits, you could not hate the others. Minato's outburst, as cruel and unneeded as it was, stemmed from not wanting weakling squad mates bringing their comrades down. Minato had always planned to synchronize. Jiro was a huge slacker.
Another instructor took center stage. "It has long been said that once is mistake, twice is a coincidence and three times is a pattern. We at the UN take this to heart when we search for pilots. We don't want just a pattern from our recruits. We want a proven record of performance. That is why the point to pass was set at 5. That was also why we registered you to whatever role that you reached at least 3 of those successes in even if there was a split in your roles. It was also why the Switch designation was set at 3 successes at Top and Bottom each." Kazuki now realized why things were the way that they were. He could definitely have been a Switch if Minato had not dropped the ball. That Pulse Burst had hurt. He had missed out by one. It made him annoyed. Especially since Minato was such a convenient target for a lot of negative emotions. The instructor continued with his address. He said "That is why we set the threshold for the next shakeup at 3 successes. For those of you who have 2 or less successful synchronizations, unfortunately, your service with us is now over." he said.
This was now official. Luckily no one from Squad 3 was going to be discharged. No one in Squad 4 was leaving just yet either. That was a good thing. It was much better that the sad fate of Squad 2. Half of them were now gone. There were only 3 left in the first squad as well. They were then escorted out of the hall so that they could go collect their things. They were not even allowed to hear what they would be missing out on. That had to sting. It was due to them no longer having the clearance to be in there. This was apparently something that was classified information. Everyone remaining was waiting for the news to be relayed. Minato looked bored. He did have a father and grandfather who were pilots. They might have told him. Or at the very least given him a hint of some kind. When it was secure, the doors were shut and they locked them. A bingo ball tumbler was brought out from a spot in the back. "Those remaining in the program due to the shakeup will have their name placed in the tumbler. You all and a few volunteers will be placed in. We will draw each name twice."
