The cryogenic revival of Miles Vorkosigan, a living legend of space, a famous hero of intergalactic wars, led to an unexpected and tragic result. Now Miles suffers from seizures, during one of which he accidentally maims a hostage, whose rescue the best forces of the Dendarii mercenaries were sent to save. Miles is declared unfit for military service, but when a monstrous danger looms over Barrayar, the fearless Admiral Naismith comes into play again. It is difficult to even imagine what the destruction of the memory chip implanted in the brain of Simon Illian, the chief of Imperial Security, could lead to. Vorkosigan must fight and win...