Also, was/is there a sort of rivalry between Steiner and Beatrix?
Most definitely. At the beginning of the game. That rivalry sort of peters out when Steiner joins Zidane though, which is very early on.

Zidane is utilitarianism,
Wouldnt totally agree with that. Zidane has too much empathy to be truly utilitarianistic IMO. What he did at the end of the game, going to save Kuja seemes like a decision from the heart rather than one from the head. I also disagree with your opinions on the love story etc.

But that was a very nice post.