The Old and the Grayson

Posted on Sat Jun 7th, 2025 @ 8:53pm by Lieutenant Ánderijá "Rija" Rautajärvi & Commander Jonathan Grayson

1,731 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Cead Mile Failte
Location: Executive Officer's Office, Deck 3
Timeline: 0859 Hours, Three Days prior to Current Mission

He arrived one minute early.

That had always been his rule: not five minutes early, not precisely on the mark--one minute. Just enough to show respect for a superior's time without the awkward preamble of looking weirdly idle in a corridor with nothing to do but pull at your uniform for the fifteenth time.

Yet, here he was, smoothing the fabric along the arms of his tunic anyway.

The corridor was silent. Just the barely perceptible hum of the Washington at full stop, a sound Rija had already begun to mentally catalog--quite different from the Tohlaar, deeper than the Mare. To an engineer, even their pulse and presence had texture depending upon the frame and weight of the ship beneath your feet. He was growing familiar with it already, a little like the cadence of a drumbeat you unconsciously learn to march to.

He tapped the door chime and was beckoned inside.

From the other side of the door " Enter!" Could be heard.

"Lieutenant Rija Rautajärvi, reporting as ordered," he said, voice steady, the faintest trace of accent still lingering from his native Ruoktu VI. It gave his Federation Standard a particular clarity which sounded measured.

Jon was standing behind his desk as the new officer entered and reported in. "Please have a seat Lieutenant." Jon replied pleasantly gesturing to the chair in front of the desk. Before we get started would you like anything from the replicator? I'm going to have a vanilla milkshake."

Rija was somewhat taken aback that someone might choose to suck-back a milkshare at nine o'clock in the morning but he said nothing about it. Afterall, for all he knew Commander Grayson might be nearing the end of a shift.

"Thank you, sir," he replied, just then noting a data PADD resting on Jon's desk. Presumably his file. Rija recognized the habit. "I could do with a black tea."

Jon nodded and ordered Rija's black tea and his vanilla milkshake. Heading back to his desk he handed Rija his tea, before sliding smoothly into his chair, placing his milkshake on the desk and leaning slightly forward, "Let me first say, Welcome to the Washington. I hope you find your posting her both pleasurable and rewarding. She is a great ship, with a great captain and crew." He finished proudly.

Rija absorbed every word. Thus far in his career, his intake interviews with other officers were usually performed as a group with everyone standing at attention. No one had ever offered him something to drink let alone a chair. "I'm happy to be here, Commander." He took a tentative sip of the black tea, testing the heat. "You know, I consider myself fortunate to be here. I'm truly hoping this will be a long-term assignment." He brought the mug to his lips once more and paused, adding, "Have you been aboard long?"

"We're glad to have you and if you want it to be a long term assignment it can be." Jon noted as he took a sip of his milkshake. "I have." Jon replied and them elaborated. "I have had the privilege of being the Washington's Executive Officer for several years. I think you will find the captain to be quite the superior officer not just in commanding a starship. He also cares about the crew and ship with that same drive, determination and care."

The Sami-descended junior officer listened closely, hands clasped around the warm ceramic mug. Commander Grayson's manner reminded him less of a senior officer and more of a seasoned camp elder. He was steady, affable, and evidently quite proud of where he'd chosen to pitch his tent.

"That's... good to hear," he said, after a short pause. "I'll admit, it's refreshing to meet an XO who's this friendly right out of the gate."

Taking another tentative sip of the black tea, he continued, "My previous XO was efficient and very capable. She once restructured an entire damage control roster during a hull breach with one hand in a sling and a bad concussion." He shook his head slightly, genuine admiration showing. "But I don't think I ever heard her use the word 'welcome'." He took another sip while his eyes meandered over the items on Grayson's desk. "She was the kind of officer who inspired respect the same way a snow squall inspires you to tie down your herd's feed troughs. Which has its place, I reckon."

Rija pointed to one of the pictures on Jon's desk. "Are these your children?"

"As you know, all XOs aren't the same and they all have their ways of doing their job. What works for one doesn't work for another. You need to know your crew and what works to motivate them and get a job done." Jon stopped as Rija pointed to the pictures on his desk. "Yes sir, that's Harry," He pointed at the oldest child. "He's five and those are the twins Shona and Steven. They are absolute joys." Jon said proudly.

He smiled at the thought of children. "Five years-old," he muttered, remembering the events of his own life at that age. "I participated in my first boazovazzi when I was five."

Jon nodded a smile on his face. he took another sip of his milkshake. "Right now Harry is busy being big brother to the twins. Not that they can get into too much trouble right now but he helps everyway he can and when he isn't helping, he's playing with Kirk." Jon stopped, "Let me explain, Kirk is our Maine Coon cat and he and Harry are best buddies."

"It must be comforting to have your family aboard with you," Rija said with a barely-perceptible smile.

"It means everything to have them here. They keep me grounded. At home I'm Daddy, reader of stories, giver of hugs, provider of rides on my back and fixer of meals and not Commander Grayson."

Rija's smile grew but it did not reach his eyes. "Where I come from, twins are a symbol of good fortune and prosperity. It tells us something good is coming and that our community will thrive and grow." He thought back to Ruoktu VI, staring into his mug of tea. "I am a twin."

Jon nodded, "I have been blessed with three wonderful children and the most fantastic wife so, I would agree with your statement that twins are a symbol of good fortune and prosperity." He noticed Rija's smile and asked, "If it isn't too personal, where is your twin?"

"Sussu? She's still on Ruoktu VI, taking care of the homestead," Rija said pensively. "She's helping my mor and far. My other siblings have moved on and are married with their own homes and families." For the first time in years, Rija felt a sharp pain in the center of his abdomen--homesickness. Not for his father or their home, but for the land, the herds, and most importantly, Sussu. "She and I are connected. I can feel her"--Rija jabbed two fingers into his sternum--"right here."

He saw Commander Grayson looking at him. He wasn't sizing him up or judging the junior engineer--he seemed genuinely interested in a younger officer's perspective. Rija continued, "You have to understand, Commander--my family is very... traditional. Everything my father does is in the exact same manner his ancestors performed their tasks around the homestead." He paused again, thinking of the home he was raised in. "We never had a comm unit in the house. I was in my teens before he permitted our home to have environmental controls--and that was a decade of debate between he and my mother.

"I'm sorry for going on and on, sir." Rija brought the mug to his lips and savoured another bitter sip of black tea.

Jon nodded, "Sounds like my sister Tanya, she is at home with my mother and father, taking care of them and their home. I know about tradition. My own home was traditional. My sister and I were raised to honor and respect the old ways and our elders." He paused and reached for his milkshake, taking a sip before going on. "Never apologize when it comes to family Lieutenant, they are always a part of us an we them and it sounds like you have a family to proud of and take pride in."

Rija nodded slowly, letting the words settle over him. "I think so," he said softly. "Even if I didn't always fit the pattern they expected. My father used to say I was born with a compass pointed inward, not homeward." A gave a faint shrug. "But I never forgot where the needle came from."

"It is perfectly acceptable to be your own person, to live your own life, to make your own way. To start a new tradition while remembering the old. Life would be incessantly dull and boring if we were all the same. What is important is to remember where you came from and the values, beliefs installed in you." Jon answered, his eyes on Rija.

"With that in mind," Rija began, "what should I expect to encounter as a member of the crew?"

Looking across his desk, Jon answered, "A sense of family, of belonging. Of accountability. You will be expected to perform your duty without supervision to the best of your ability. If you have a problem there is no shame in asking for help."

"Understood, sir."

Jon nodded and spoke again. "I think that's about it Lieutenant. I'll let you explore the ship. If you have any questions or concerns my door is always open."

Rija took a final sip of his black tea and rose to his feet with grace. "Thank you, Commander. I appreciate you taking the time to meet and talk. I won't let you down." He came to attention--somewhat sloppily--and left the office.

As he made his way to Main Engineering, he felt an extra bounce to his step--a slight ray of positivity glowing inwardly. Somehow, that short conversation with the Executive Officer seemed to scare away any remaining anxiety Rija was experiencing about his new posting. And what's more, he felt he might also have made a friend.

* * *

Lieutenant Ánderijá "Rija" Rautajärvi
Assistant Chief Engineer
USS Washington

&

Commander Jonathan Grayson
Executive Officer
USS Washington

 

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