The cryogenic reanimation of Miles Vorkosigan, a living legend of the cosmos, a celebrated hero of intergalactic warfare, has had an unexpected and tragic result. Now Miles suffers from seizures, during one of which he accidentally maims a hostage, on whose rescue the best forces of the Dendarii mercenaries were thrown. Miles is declared unfit for military service, but when a monstrous danger looms over Barrayar, the fearless Admiral Naismith again comes into play. It is hard to even imagine what the destruction of the memory chip implanted in the brain of Simon Illyan, the head of Imperial security, could lead to. Vorkosigan must fight and win...