Captain Ivan Vorpatril sometimes thinks that if not for his family, he might have no troubles at all. But he has the dubious fortune of the hyperactive Miles Vorkosigan as a cousin, which has too-often led to his getting dragged into one of Miles' schemes, with risk to life and limb - and military career - that Ivan doesn't consider entirely fair.

• A new installment in the award-winning Vorkosigan science fictionadventure series!
• Captain Ivan Vorpatril sometimes thinks that if not for his family, he mighthave no troubles at all. But he has the dubious fortune of the hyperactive MilesVorkosigan as a cousin, which has too-often led to his getting dragged into oneof Miles’ schemes, with risk to life and limb — and military career— that Ivan doesn’t consider entirely fair. Although much practicehas made Ivan more adept at fending off his mother’s less-than-subtlereminders that he should be getting married and continuing the Vorpatrillineage. Fortunately, his current duty is on the planet Komarr as staff officerto Admiral Desplains, far from both his cousin and his mother back on theirhomeworld of Barrayar. It’s an easy assignment and nobody is shooting athim. What could go wrong?