in many projects, there is a Guy That Everyone Likes.
he is often quite skilled in his own right, but his main role ends up being Guy That Everyone Likes. running messages between departments gets a lot easier when nobody wants to shoot the messanger. everyone is happier whrn someone they like is in the room, and meetings go smoother when people are enthused about their work, that kind of thing.
grace was one of these guys.
i dont know when or if stratt ever confessed to basically blackbagging and murdering the Guy That Everybody Liked, but i think under the shock and pride and whatever else she was feeling in the meeting room with the rest of the original admin on the 26th anniversary, when ryland goes from "AHHH THE ALIENS COULD BE SENDING BOMBS AT ME" to buddy comedy roommate shenanigans with best friend rocky in what feels 10 minutes, she was pretty satisfied with her decision.
Keeping @startingatmidnight ’s excellent tags. Grace likes people, so people like him. It does translate right across the universe.
