Disclaimer: I do not own the characters and locations, all characters and locations are from Final Fantasy VIII/VII and are the property of Square Enix.

Chapter 1: Dealings with the Devil

Deling City: Presidential residence

"Sir" Said a women's voice from outside the office door

"Yes what is it?" as the president raised his head from the papers he was reading.

"It's your half two meeting sir" came the voice again.

"Okay, send them in" as he got up from his desk and making his way to the drink cabinet.

The door opened and entered a woman in a very formal red suit with short blonde hair; she began making her way towards the seat next to the president's desk.

"Hello Scarlet" the president said as the women sat on the seat "Could I interest you in a drink?"

"Hello President Caraway and a scotch if you wouldn't mind" replied Scarlet taking her seat.

"You think I would know by now" was Caraways response as he poured two scotches and took them to the desk and placed them down after having to rearrange the mountains of paperwork he was still to get through.

"So Scarlet what can I do for you? Considering it was Shinra that requested this little meeting" Caraway asked

Scarlet then proceeded to take a sip of her drink and then place it on the table before turning to face Caraway. "Well as you know the Shinra Corporation has been the main supplier of weapons to the Galbadian army for almost twenty years, since the beginning of Presidents Deling's reign"

"Yes I know an exclusive contract I believe, which in return Shinra receives generous funding from us" Caraway responded

"Yes a very generous contract indeed, but I am here to ask that our funding be increased" said Scarlet before taking another drink and then again placing it on the table.

"Why?" Caraway responded "The funding you receive from us is more than adequate"

"Yes it is but do you remember a proposal made three months ago about a project, titled project S, the extra funding would be put into the development of this project" replied Scarlet

"If I remember correctly I rejected this proposal because it involved the enhancement of soldiers using sorceress DNA" questioned Caraway.

"Yes sir but if you just hear me out I am sure you would agree the benefits are worth it, just listen"

"NO!!!" Caraway interrupted "I will not change my position on this it is both extremely dangerous and foolish and I will not allow it to happen, also this countries recent history with the sorceress must be taken into account, so no and I do not want to hear of this proposal again, and if you are finished I would appreciate you leaving" Caraway said with a serious expression on his face, it was encounters like this that he believed made him look older than he actually was.

"Of course" Scarlet replied as she stood up "But just as a passing mention you are aware that there are a number of groups within Galbadia that oppose our arrangement, and we believe a number of them may plan to use violence to attain what they want, we are currently very disturbed to hear reports that they may have made contract offers to both Galbadia and Balamb Garden for the employment of SeeDs, we are asking if you could use your connections with both to make sure these contracts are ignored?"

"Yes I will look into it, if that is all please, I have other things to attend to" said Caraway

"Of course sir, thank you" Scarlet said as she made her way to the door.

As Scarlet left all that Caraway could do was sigh and think to himself what did you get us into Deling, damn you……