SeeD: The Function and Purpose within ShinRa Heirarchy
The intent of this is to be easy reference for both myself and others writing with me in FF7 verse. If you’re after something in particular, this is divided into three sections:
Purpose: What SeeD was created for
Squall’s Place: Self-explanatory.
Section A: SeeD’s Function
SeeD is best summarised as a Turk and SOLDIER hybrid. Lacking the ranking system of the traditional SOLDIER branch, SeeDs are hand picked from candidate lineups and specially trained. They serve as both bodyguards and hands-on muscle to the Turks they are assigned to— SeeD is considered more disposable than a Turk, and are not privy to the amount of intel Turks are. Not to say, Turks aren’t extremely capable, and in that sense SeeD are not assigned to every mission. They are also a very small group, like the Turks themselves, numbering around six total operatives. In general, SeeD operate with more finesse than the traditional SOLDIER, undergoing special weapons, reconnaissance and subterfuge training that other SOLDIERs do not get. All wield weapons different to the standard-issue SOLDIER blade, but all can wield said blade if necessary. Candidacy for SeeDship requires a written test alongside the physical and enhancement compatibility requirements. SeeD are almost never assigned missions alongside SOLDIER operatives; it’s considered a waste of resources, though there are additional reasons only known to the very upper command at ShinRa.
Section B: SeeD’s Purpose
Like SOLDIER itself, there is a more insidious purpose to SeeD. In most experiments, there are two samples created— the test subject to which the change is administered, and the control— a unit left alone for comparison against the development of the actual subject. That is SeeD’s purpose— its initial units were handpicked by Hojo to serve as controls to the Project S and Project G subjects, bearing the same first initial, inducted into ShinRa and ‘enhanced’ at the same point in their lives, to create a comparison and further emphasize the work Hojo was doing. This purpose is unknown to all except Hojo and a few others. This is also the reason for the distance between SOLDIER and SeeD, to prevent possible contamination to the SeeD control subjects. (In universes where Seifer is also present, there were 2 controls picked for Sephiroth, based on Sephiroth’s personality— one more akin, and one very much not so.) When both Project G and Project S ‘failed’, there was no more need for control units, and the unit was liquidated along with the Nibelheim clean up and the other damage control performed by ShinRa during this time.
Section C: Squall’s Place
An orphan from a small town, Squall was in the process of being ferried to the mainland from Costa Del Sol when he was picked out by Hojo himself. Five years old at the time, Squall came to live in the ShinRa building, separate from Sephiroth (though they would have known of each other, Sephiroth was also several years older than Squall.) Undergoing SOLDIER enhancement amidst the war with Wutai, Squall was in active service until the Nibelheim incident, to which he had to flee ShinRa and go into hiding. It’s not until the events of FF7 itself Squall returns to Midgar. In general, Squall is cagey about his origins, and will merely explain his unit and its function, refusing anything more detailed. In an overall sense, he wants both answers and ShinRa’s destruction, as he knew the other SeeD members well. He wears his old uniform because of two reasons— the ones who recognise it but don’t know him will give him a wide berth, ans the ones who do recognise it and do know him will attack him, which is what he wants.
