Grimthorn paced the length of his quarters, back and forth, back and forth. His face was drawn down in a fierce frown and his mind raced.

This was wrong.

The feel of her arms on him still tingled on his skin. He closed his eyes, his mind flip-flopping between reveling in the memory and lashing out at himself. But this feeling churning his chest was unmistakable.

You can't lie to anyone like you can lie to yourself, but he couldn't pretend or deflect any longer.

He was falling in love with his Assistant.

Which was stupid.

In distress, he fell back on enumerating the issue thoroughly.

Firstly, as a military man, he had no time for or interest in a relationship. He was married to the Navy. A Navy man through and through.

Secondly, he was her superior officer. There was an entire raft of problems and pitfalls wrapped up in that.

Thirdly, she wasn't even a Terran. Not that that was a big deal socially-- Terrans were notorious for getting into relationships with every species that was even remotely compatible, and the rest of the Imperium just shrugged and wrote it off as Terrans being Terrans. But there were a host of issues there, as well. Different cultures, different expectations, relationship friction across the board.

Fourthly, and most damaging, was that according to Imperium law, relationships between citizens and Subject Species were illegal. And the law was robustly enforced.

He ran his hands through his hair.

Occasionally, some high-profile citizen of the Imperium would be caught in such a relationship: then they'd be stripped of all wealth, have their citizenship revoked, and be imprisoned. Like any good citizen, Grimthorn sneered in disgust whenever those stories made the news.

His hands squeezed the top of his skull.

So on the one hand, it was the most tremendously idiotic thing in the world. It would end his career, destroy him financially, and land him in jail. It was ethically, morally, and in every other way wrong, by any common-sense measure.

On the other hand: her smile. Her eyes. Her sunny optimism.

He roared in frustration and shook his head, trying to cast the thought away.

Why did he even feel this way? She wasn't even close to his type. He liked his women big and strapping, ready to eat titanium and spit out hull plates, not slender and soft. He wanted tough and angry, not delicate, teary, and gentle. Someone who could stand beside him in a firefight or challenge him to an arm-wrestling match.

Not that his few "legitimate" relationships had gone well-- they were still the subject of legendary gossip around the Navy. But still.

Then again-- was that his type? Or did he just like strong, competent women? There were many kinds of strength, and for all her softness, Kinnit had a core of cold-rolled steel.

And what Kinnit lacked in stature and musculature, she made up for in spirit. And she was a genuine person in a world full of self-serving, duplicitous bureaucrats.

And of course, her smile. Her eyes.

He continued wrangling with himself for many hours, trying to decide what to do.

----------------------------------------

Kinnit timidly walked into Admiral Stonefist's office the next morning at her usual time. She glanced at him to see if he was still upset at her goof-up the previous afternoon.

He looked rough. He slouched behind his desk, his eyes unfocused. He was uncharacteristically unshaven, and half his hair didn't even look as though it had been combed. His uniform buttons looked misaligned, and horrid bags hung under his eyes.

"Good morning?" she said uncertainly. "Sir? Are you okay?"

"M'fine," he mumbled. "Didn't sleep well last night."

She breathed a small sigh of relief. If he was feeling unwell, then that meant that he was focused on that, and hadn't had time to brood over her mistake yesterday.

"Let me make you some coffee, sir," she said.

"Mmhmm."

She bustled around the kitchenette making two mugs of coffee.

"The next Council of Admiralty is coming up soon," she said over her shoulder.

"Neat," he replied.

She turned to him with a mug in each hand. His face was turned toward her, and she thought she caught a glimpse, only a flash, of the strangest expression on his face. She couldn't quite place it, it was so brief.

Before she could reflect on it further, a hollow "bong" resounded through the room and the ceiling pulsed blue.

Admiral Stonefist and Kinnit gave each other a confused look. Who would be coming to the office at this hour?

Admiral Stonefist nodded, and Kinnit went over to open the door. There in the hallway stood Lutrin: a pudgy, furry creature that looked like nothing so much as a large otter. He was dressed in civilian clothing: a button-down shirt and khakis. He had a short snout and glittering black eyes. A trustworthy smile spread across his face.

"Good morning!" he said brightly. "I'm Koro Melemann with the Imperium Clarion, the most-watched and -read news outlet in the Imperium, and I was hoping to take few minutes--"

The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

"I don't do interviews," said Admiral Stonefist. "Have a nice day." And he turned back to his console.

"Actually, sir, I was hoping to interview your Assistant."

Kinnit's eyebrows rose.

"Me? Why?"

Koro turned to her.

"Why, you're the first Subject Species to serve as an Assistant to an Admiral in one of the Imperium's Great Fleets! Our readers would be fascinated to hear your story, and to know what it's like to work for the great Admiral Stonefist!"

"Oh!" Kinnit blushed a little. "Oh, I don't know that anyone would be interested-- but I suppose it wouldn't hurt-- sir?" she asked, turning to Grimthorn.

Grimthorn stared at the Lutrin. He really did have a very trustworthy face, which made Grimthorn not trust him very much.

"Identification," he said.

"Certainly, sir," Koro said, drawing a scanner out of his breast pocket. He pulled up some identifying info and handed it to Admiral Stonefist. Grimthorn took the scanner and peered carefully at it, then plugged it into his console to validate. After a moment the console lit green.

"Very well," he said, handing the scanner back. "But I'll be monitoring the questions and answers, and you'll have to strike anything that could be sensitive."

"Of course, sir," said Koro. "I will be happy to do so. I would not dream of endangering our noble fleet, and I trust your discretion to keep us safe."

Grimthorn frowned, but nodded.

Koro laid a hand on Kinnit's shoulder and gestured to the conference table. Grimthorn's frown deepened.

"Come, let's get comfortable so we can talk."

They seated themselves. Koro pulled open his scanner and began.

"So it says here in my notes that your name is 'Kinnit', is that right?"

She nodded.

"No last name?"

She laughed a little self-consciously.

"No, Kobolds don't have last names. A few do, heroes and such, but we have other ways of identifying each other more accurately than names."

"Oh?"

"Well, mostly through sense of touch," she said, adjusting herself in her seat uncomfortably. She tried not to look at Admiral Stonefist. "We Kobolds tend to maintain a lot of physical contact, and so we know who's who that way."

"Fascinating. Our readers are always very interested to hear about other cultures." He made some notes. "Tell me, what drew you to Naval service?"

Her eyes lit up.

"Oh, I've always wanted to go the stars. When the Imperial Outreach Ambassador landed on our homeworld five years ago, I signed up immediately to join the Navy. As a Subject Species, naturally, I couldn't join the military, but the path of Assistant was available if I could get through the training in Naval Academy."

"Well done! I imagine your people are very proud of you!"

She blushed and lowered her head with a shy smile. Grimthorn frowned at Koro.

"I hope so," she said. "One of these days, it's my dream to help my people join the Imperium as full citizens."

"That's a very lofty goal. It must be daunting when you realize--"

"Move on," Grimthorn said stiffly. Koro nodded graciously.

"And how did you end up working for Admiral Stonefist?"

"Well, after Academy, I did a few internships. I'd scored so well that my first assignment was with Captain Hawkins, who was with one of the regional fleets guarding citizens in the turnward spiral arm--"

"Strike that," Admiral Stonefist said. More gently, he explained "as a policy, we don't discuss fleet positioning; current, past, or planned."

"Of course, sir," Koro said. "It's been removed. You are welcome to review my notes if you like, to make sure I haven't left any sensitive information in." Grimthorn waved him on. He turned back to Kinnit and patted her knee. "You must be very talented to have been assigned Assistant to a Captain right after graduation. A bright talent, to match the brightness of your smile."

She blushed heavily.

"Oh, I don't know about that," she said shyly.

Grimthorn's frown set. He decided that he did not like Koro Melemann.

"So tell me, what do you like to do in your spare time?"

Kinnit smiled.

"I like to read space adventure novels," she admitted. "It probably seems silly, since I feel like I'm living in a space adventure now, but I still love them."

Admiral Stonefist's brow knitted. He didn't know Kinnit liked reading novels.

"And I sing a little. Mostly traditional Kobold songs." She lowered her eyes. "I compose some songs, too. Or I try, anyway."

"Wonderful," Koro said. "It seems you have many facets of talent, like a rare gemstone, masterfully crafted."

"We'll need to wrap up before long," said Grimthorn, with a dour look. "We need to get back to work."

"Of course, sir. Just a few more questions, if I may." Grimthorn reluctantly nodded, and Koro turned back to Kinnit. "So tell me, what was the hardest part of Academy for you?"

"Oh, the cultural classes at first were extremely hard. In order to integrate into Imperium society, I had to learn all about personal space and personal property. In the Kobold dens, we never had anything like that. But out here in the Imperium, the things we do naturally are called 'stealing' and 'inappropriate contact.' I... still slip up from time to time."

She tucked her head, feeling Admiral Stonefist's eyes on her.

"Yes, it must be very complicated, not only to learn the academic aspects, but the cultural ones as well," said Koro. "Those of us born into the Imperium can forget how many little rules and expectations we have."

"Oh, the classes were very good," she hastened to say.

"Of course," Koro said. "The Imperium has the finest educators in the universe. So tell me, if you're comfortable with it, what it's like to work for the legendary hero of Arcturus."

Kinnit's smile grew a little pained at the mention of Arcturus, but she brightened as she spoke about Grimthorn.

"Oh, he's wonderful to work for. He has such a strong character, and he lives the ideals of the Imperium every day, all the time. And at the forefront of his mind, at all times, is protecting the Imperium and her citizens. In my opinion, every person in the Imperium should strive to be more like him. And you can quote that directly."

"That's quite a commendation," Koro said with a warming smile. "I think many people wish for a boss they respected so much. It sounds like you are very loyal."

"Oh, yes, of course."

"And tell me, as a Subject Species, how do you feel about the Imperium?"

Kinnit paused, and her face took on a fierce, determined cast.

"The Imperium is the greatest thing that has ever happened to the universe," she said. "She is strong, she is noble, and she protects her people." Kinnit saluted sharply. "All hail the Imperium!"

"All hail," Grimthorn and Koro replied.

"I think that's enough for now," Grimthorn said.

"Yes, sir," Koro said. "Thank you very much for your time, and for letting me borrow your Assistant." He turned to Kinnit, taking her hand. "And thank you, Kinnit. You are quite an impressive young lady. It has been a real honor to speak with you and a pleasure to get to know you. Perhaps we can do this again, sometime." He gave the back of her hand a gentle kiss and released her.

"I hope you have a lovely morning, and a productive workday!" Koro said as he stepped out of the office.

The door hissed shut behind him.

"What a charming man," Kinnit said, a broad smile on her face.

"Hm." Grimthorn, his arms crossed, stared at the door with a dark glare that only just missed being murderous.

And then he had to think about why Koro bothered him so much.

----------------------------------------

Koro stood in the hallway, making a couple more notes. His boss would be pleased. It wasn't often he was sent out on special assignment any more, and he missed field work sometimes.

And people always gave away far more than they realized when you could get them talking about themselves.

His trustworthy smile broadened as the scanner synced with the wire he'd planted in the Admiral's office. He tucked his scanner back in his breast pocket and waddled on down the hall.