In volume four of The Rust Bucket Universe, Rear Admiral Oden reports for the simple ceremony that promotes him to Fleet Admiral. Because of the earlier admission of Opal as the twenty-fifth Union planet, which is now reclaimed by Ape-oid settlers, the Navy is expanding. For the same reason, the Space Academy is expanding its class base, so that enough officers will be available for all the Navy and Space Marine units. Earlier in this year of important events, Admiral Oden proudly graduated the first Ape-oid cadet ensigns from the Space Academy. They are assigned to the Navy as bright new officers, whom the Navy eagerly welcomes. It is gratifying to Oden that the former enemy has become an active member of the Union of Planets. The Navy has had little to do militarily during the past five years other than occasionally deal with some small-time pirates.

On a training run, cadets encounter a friendly new people, the Greens, exploring outside their own star system. Oden is asked to run as Edun’s representative to the Union of Planets. In this climate of serenity and accord, no one anticipates that Galan fosters aggression and is preparing to overrun the Union. Galun erupts, as Oden’s wife’s health becomes a critical factor in Oden’s future.

FROM THE BOOK:

"This is destroyer Barker. We are engaging a hidden force of Galan warships. They are in clear violation of the trade agreements not to have any warships inside the trade routes. There are seven of them, no nine! We just spotted two more hidden behind some rather large asteroids. We're scoring hits on them and leading them away from the freighters. It appears that we're trying to force some of them to retreat into the asteroid field, but they're standing their ground despite the punishment our gunners are inflicting on them. One of them just ruptured and is destroyed for sure. We just took a slight hit. I could feel the vibration under my feet."