<strong>Location:</strong>The Ritz-Gospel Hotel (First Haven, Watcher’s Island). Conference Hall 01<br/><strong>Date:</strong>5 January 2099. Monday<br/><strong>Time:</strong>Morning<br/><strong>Who:</strong>Tianran Jin<br/><br/><hr/><br/>As Afia and Julie answered their questions, Tianran's mouth settled into a polite not-smile, not-frown. The expression was not a total lie; the other pilots were doing an excellent job with their questions. What he had interpreted as immaturity may have been simple nerves or a reluctance to answer that particular question. Perhaps he had judged these two unfairly. Both of them drew a different sort of sympathy and appeal than Tianran, who was cool and professional to a fault. Afia had a more solid presence than him, with more weight behind her words. Julie was more sincere, certainly sweeter than both of them. Maybe Indira had not been wrong to choose the three of them as a publicity lineup.<br/><br/>The moustached journalist thanked Julie and returned to his seat. The next journalist in the queue was a young Southern Asian woman who could have been a fresher, more idealistic Indira. Tianran masked his amusement and raised his head a bit, in the event that the questions would circle back to him. She gave a brisk smile and said in a loud, clear voice:<br/><br/>"Glenna Pranoto, Sun Daily. This question is directed at all of you. You say that you wish you could do more in the fight, but it seems that the Program is not maximizing its combat potential. As of last month, Unit-00 has not been deployed for three years since the deaths of Pilots Andre and Bennett. Is there any chance of Unit-00 being restored to combat status soon and if so, do any of you see yourselves as likely pilots?"<br/><br/>The moment that she mentioned Unit-00, the fine muscles holding Tianran's expression in place went taut. He exhaled a single breath. 'Fuck right off,' he thought and said nothing.<br/><br/>He turned his head slightly to his left, making peripheral eye contact with Afia and Julie. They were doing well so far, there was no reason they couldn't field this question as well. He didn't care if Indira gave him hell later, he refused to budge on this one.