Disclaimer: I do not own the Final Fantasy 8 franchise including its characters, universe, locations etc., This is purely a FanFiction piece created for entertainment purposes. Any original characters or interpretation are my own, but the source material belongs to its rightful owners. As a side note, I am not looking to commission pieces of art for this FanFiction. I am not sure why I am being constantly flooded with messages asking me if I am interested, but I am not. Thanks.

FFVIII Chapter One: The GEC Research Initiative

The Solar Pub, nestled in the heart of Fisherman's Horizon, buzzed with activity as patrons and personnel from the Esthar government filled the room. Usually, Fujin would pass her shift listening to the acoustic folk music streaming from the speakers overhead. The tempo was typically lively, complementing the town's peaceful atmosphere, but tonight, the clinking glasses and constant chatter drowned it out.

"Hey, did you hear that the President of Esthar is here visiting?"

"Oh yeah, yeah-" A second voice chimed in, his tone droll, flat, and unimpressed. "Everybody's been talkin' 'bout it."

Fujin's eye fixated on the speaker, an older gentleman with a leathery face, bronzed by years of working under the relentless sun. His eyebrows were burly, thick, and faded, though his eye had a sharp gleam. She recognized him instantly as one of their regulars, a fisherman named Banon.

"...Some kind of diplomatic project between Galbadia and Esthar..." The first one continued-another fisherman by the looks of his overalls. The briny smell of fish clung to him, cutting through the thick, salty ocean air, wrinkling her nose with distaste.

"...The Galbadia... Centra... something, right?" Banon asked, taking several swigs between words. He wiped his mouth and set the mug on the table with a hard clang, nearly tipping his glass as a drop dripped onto his hand.

"...The Galbadia-Esthar-Centra Research Initiative. GEC Initiative, for short..."

"Bah! 'Bout time they started working together instead of making more wars..." Banon continued, his voice deep, gruff, and laced with cynicism. He downed the rest of his drink before reaching for the near-empty pitcher in the center of the table, a thin layer of froth curling inside the outer edges.

Losing interest, Fujin continued to stroll through the pub, watching for any signs of aggression or the sharp rise of slurred voices growing heated before a fight. Her right eye tracked every movement while her ear on her left listened intently for anything sounding out of place. Her movements were deliberate and unhindered by the eye-patch covering her left eye.

A steady stream of servers left the kitchen, balancing trays filled with drinks and fish grilled in butter and garlic. The rich aroma of charred seasoning, briny seafood, and sizzling oil mingled with the ever-present scents of salt, sweat, and alcohol. The pub's grilled fish specialty was a favourite among tourists eager to sample Fisherman's Horizon signature dish before departing for the Galbadian continent. Fujin enjoyed it often, but tonight, the heavy scent was overwhelming - a sharp reminder that living in an ocean town meant limited options.

Glasses clinked as patrons toasted to the end of a long day while others drank in celebration of Esthar's presidential visit. The ambience was boisterous and lively, packed with the cheerful hum of conversation and the occasional burst of laughter. Tables were overflowing with plates and drinks, their surfaces sticky with condensation and spills, while those unable to find a seat crowded by the bar engaged in deep, animated discussions. Overhead, the lights flickered at regular intervals, dimming each time the tram rumbled past outside, casting a charming glow across the room.

"Hey, Fujin!" Setzer called from behind the bar; his white shirt rolled up to the elbow as his fingers worked their magic, flipping glasses with the precision and ease of a well-trained magician. The glasses sparkled as they caught the gleam of the counter lights. Grey eyes absorbed with concentration as he pulled multiple taps, filling each glass in one seamless motion. "Lots of customers tonight. I'm counting on you to keep 'em in line!"

"UNDERSTOOD," Fujin replied before continuing across the room, twisting her body as she squeezed between the crowds of Esthar personnel waiting for Setzer to refill their drinks. The brush of multiple bodies pressed against her with a mix of their heat and the scent of perfume and sweat felt oppressive.

"...our monster hunter bailed..." someone grumbled, his voice slicing through the festive atmosphere.

Fujin casually turned towards the voices, identifying a group of archaeologists by their attire: cargo pants, button-up shirts, and hiking boots, all scuffed and dusted with dirt.

"Oh no!" a small girl with long blond hair exclaimed, her tone hushed with worry. "Who will keep the expedition safe?"

"...Might have to be SeeD," another added. His expression was dry and droll behind a brush of facial hair, partially obscured by thick, dark dreads.

Fujin's interest perked as she casually leaned in closer. It had been a long time since she had heard anyone talk about SeeD.

After the last Lunar Cry, a fresh wave of monsters flooded into Gaia, but the need to employ SeeD was relatively unneeded out here in the ocean. Most of the monsters that fell onto the train tracks were quickly dispersed, while the others either perished in the sea or rarely surfaced from its depths. Monsters that attacked fishing boats were swiftly eradicated, thanks to an innovative device artisans created to keep them at bay.

Her frown deepened as a strange wave of emotion washed over her-Regret? Nostalgia? No. She shook her head, irritation tightening her shoulders. Life was good here. She had settled well into her role at the Solar Pub, while Raijin had become somewhat of a prodigy fisherman.

Seifer, on the other hand...

Her fists clenched, frustration simmering. Seifer was barely scraping by, taking on whatever job he could get - stagnating.

He tried to hide it, refusing to let them see how much he struggled to adjust. How it steadily chipped away at the confidant, charismatic, fearless-yes, even that brash and bull-headed-leader she always remembered.

"He can't hire SeeD. An independent mercenary group hired by Esthar? Galbadia will likely see it as a clear act of aggression." The voice belonged to a young man with short, brown hair, wearing thick-frames and a disjointed frown. His tone dripped with irritation.

"This could delay the expedition. Our funding could be cut." The girl with the blond hair interjected, her worry lines deepening as she anxiously tapped her drink with her fingers. "Not to mention, I won't feel safe without someone watching out for monsters."

"PERFECT." The word was out before Fujin even realized she'd spoken, excitement surging in her chest.

The group of archaeologists jumped in surprise, startled by her sudden outburst. They all turned toward her in unison with expressions shifting between confusion, irritation, and startled disbelief. The rest of the pub carried on as usual. Servers carried out trays full of plates and drinks before disappearing into the kitchen. Customers continued to line up at the bar, calling out as Setzer took their orders and filled drinks at record speed. The music was still playing, though drowned out by laughter and the constant hum of chatter.

"It's rude to eavesdrop," the girl muttered, though without much bite to her words while the guy with the thick-framed glasses he wiped a spill from his shirt, his eyebrows furrowing in irritation.

Fujin glared back, her red eye challenging. Unnerved by the intensity of her glare, the group shifted, turning their backs towards her as they resumed their conversation, albeit with a heavier hush and edge to their voices. Satisfied, Fujin lingered for a few seconds, then continued scanning the pub. One corner of her lips curved into a barely perceptible smile.