enki ankarian fanclub

The appendectomy is a necessary evil: the coma system isn't specialized enough to treat appendicitis, were it to happen. With the concept of the mastectomy, however, we also get a fantastic blend of cruelty and kindness from Stratt. She is sending Grace to space and violating his autonomy in every way. At the same time, she orders a surgery that, though not medically necessary for the mission, is something that he wanted for himself. It's still not a good act. It's one more choice that he is denied. But it's still a twisted sort of apology.

Anyway, I think we're sleeping on a very fun alternative/additional option:

Astronauts are required to have 20/20 vision OR to have LASIK.

Grace finds a pair of glasses while exploring the ship after waking up. They're in with his things, and he doesn't understand why. He... doesn't need glasses. Why do they fit him so well?

His memories start coming back, and he assumes the vision improvement was another part of him volunteering for the mission. He was sent with the glasses because he used to wear them all the time, and they're a link to home and to his past and really fun to fidget with besides. He's almost surprised at his past self's willingness to give up part of his identity for the mission, but hey, his past self was clearly a brave and selfless person. He did a lot of things that Grace doesn't feel capable of. What was one more?

He puts the glasses back in the storage cube and goes back to the mission.

Much later, he will remember being shoved face-first into the dirt, wire frames digging into the side of his cheek, and he'll know it was never a choice at all.

I like to imagine he thinks he's a 100% Totally Normal Eridian middle school teacher. Sure, he's like... super famous or whatever, but he's just a guy!! He likes to think he's good at what he does, sure, but not so good that his class would be sought out above others. He might even consider himself a downgrade compared to Eridian instructors since he has to teach through a barrier.

Meanwhile, it is absolutely a Special Honor to have one of your kids get taught by Doctor Captain Ryland Grace, Savior of Erid. Grown-ass Eridians try to pass themselves off as pebbles just to sneak into his classes. There is a security detail outside of the classroom entrance.

(Alternatively, he specifically asked to teach the kids of his care team/the biodome engineers as a way to show his appreciation. I think this is the only universe in which he knows his students are not randomly assigned through the school system.)