Admiral Stonefist has served the Emperor faithfully for 30 years, keeping the galaxy safe and expanding the Imperium's borders. A grizzled veteran with a lifetime of war behind him, he is dour, cynical, and angry-- long disillusioned with the ideals of the Imperium. His new assistant, Kinnit the Kobold, is overjoyed to be the first from her planet to be assigned to the coveted Ninth Fleet. She arrives filled with hope and energy, eager to rise through the ranks of the Imperial Navy and earn all Kobolds the right to become full members of the Imperium. Admiral Stonefist hates that his new assistant is not human and is alarmed as his slowly growing respect for her begins to develop into something else. He is determined to drive her out of the Navy for her own good. However, with her help he discovers an insidious conspiracy which threatens the safety of the entire Imperium. Can the Admiral and the Assistant cooperate long enough to disrupt the vile machinations of the Imperium's reluctant allies and stop the Insectoid menace? And can the Admiral grapple with his newfound feelings, which fly in the face of society and the law? (Space Opera with romance elements) New chapters posted Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at approximately 1 AM Central Time.Winner of the Royal Road 2024 October Writathon Challenge!