The Special Assault Team, or SAT, is a real-world group of highly trained, elite special police operatives in service to the government of Japan. In Elfen Lied, they are utilized in the service of their country and specifically by the antagonists of the series (who operate for much of the series with government sanction) on the hunt for the escaped main character. As expected, they suffer significant casualties as a result, and one of the series' prime vendettas results from this.