Memory characters

Also known as Admiral Naismith

Appears from the start

A Barrayaran lord who serves ImpSec while commanding the Dendarii as Admiral Naismith. During a hostage rescue, a concealed seizure locks his combat armor and gravely injures Lieutenant Vorberg, putting both of his military identities at risk.

Also known as Quinn

Appears from the start

A Dendarii captain, Miles's partner, and his second in command. After learning that he hid earlier seizures, she questions whether he can safely continue to command.

Also known as Illyan

Appears from the start

The chief of ImpSec and the official who assigned Miles to recover Lieutenant Vorberg. The service must determine whether the courier was deliberately targeted during the freighter hijacking.

Appears from the start

A Barrayaran ImpSec courier rescued from a hijacked freighter. Miles's seizure traps him in the path of a combat suit's plasma arc, severing his legs below the knees, though prompt treatment is expected to restore his ability to walk.

First appears in chapter 2

A Dendarii soldier selected to accompany Miles as his bodyguard on the journey to Barrayar. Her assignment places a trusted member of the fleet beside him while he travels under an urgent recall from ImpSec.

Also known as Ivan

Appears from the start

Miles's cousin, an Imperial Service officer, and a dependable family ally. Their long-standing connection makes Ivan one of the people Miles can rely on within both Barrayaran society and the military establishment.

Also known as Galeni

First appears in chapter 4

An ImpSec captain formerly assigned to counterintelligence on Komarr and newly transferred to headquarters. He is seriously courting Laisa Toscane, a Komarran trade representative, when Miles encounters him in the capital.

First appears in chapter 4

A Komarran specialist in business theory who serves as a permanent lobbyist for shipping interests on Barrayar. Duv Galeni is courting her, and her professional work centers on the Komarran shipping concessions.

Also known as Gregor

Appears from the start

The Emperor of Barrayar, Miles's sovereign, and a trusted ally from earlier events. Their established relationship joins personal confidence to Miles's obligations as a Vorkosigan and as an operative of the Imperial government.

First appears in chapter 4

The general responsible for ImpSec's Domestic Affairs division. He is one of the senior departmental leaders at headquarters when Miles returns to Barrayar under Illyan's unexplained and urgent summons.

First appears in chapter 4

A senior ImpSec general who directs the service's corresponding security work on Komarr. His departmental authority places him among the principal officers at headquarters during Miles's return to the capital.

Also known as Lady Alys

First appears in chapter 5

Gregor's social hostess and an influential intermediary at the Imperial residence. She controls access and presentation around the state dinner, and she approves Laisa Toscane as a suitable guest for the occasion.

First appears in chapter 17

The biocybernetic specialist directing the response to Illyan's failing eidetic implant. He determines that the device cannot be repaired while it remains in place and explains the serious uncertainties attached to removing it.

Also known as Dr. Hugh Canaba

First appears in chapter 17

A molecular biologist living on Barrayar under a new identity after an earlier life as Dr. Hugh Canaba. Miles brings him into the investigation to apply his specialized knowledge to the analysis of Illyan's damaged implant.

First appears in chapter 5

A member of Miles's social circle who accompanies him to Gregor's state dinner. She joins Miles, Duv Galeni, and Laisa Toscane in the party entering the Imperial residence for the formal occasion.

First appears in chapter 8

The cook Miles hires while rebuilding the household at Vorkosigan House after his discharge. Her younger son also joins the staff as Miles's live-in driver and is informed that he must watch for seizures.

First appears in chapter 8

Ma Kosti's younger son, hired as Miles's live-in driver. He is told about Miles's condition and given responsibility for watching for seizures.

First appears in chapter 11

The mother of the murdered child memorialized by a school in Sylvie Vale. She teaches there and tells Miles to continue living and acting after he confesses his disgrace.

Appears from the start

A dead Komarran conspirator whose former network remains a concern for Barrayaran security.