Chapter 1 (of 22)
Ivan had been kept waiting in the palace museum, nervously looking at the old exhibits and going over his recent mission to Quaddie space. He turned away from the scalp of mad emperor Yuri. How long would Gregor make him wait? It wasn't meeting with Emperor as such that made him so nervous - he'd been around the Emperor of Barrayar throughout his childhood. Although a few years older, Gregor had played with Ivan, Miles and Elena, though he must have been bored much of the time.
The reason for Ivan's nerves was his suspicion that this was to be a dressing down for the public relations nightmare that was Rebecca Toscane. Yes, those Toscanes. Relatives of Empress Laisa. It was all very well for Rebecca to be grateful for him saving her life - him and his squadron of escort ships, on his last mission - but she'd become too clingy.
Behind his right ear a quiet voice informed him, "The Emperor will see you now, Lord Vorpatril."
Old Kevi always moved so quietly - you'd hardly notice him if you didn't know who he worked for. Directly. It was as good as a summons in the Emperor's own Voice.
He followed Kevi down the hall and though the unobtrusive door, labeled 'No Admittance', up a narrow staircase, through another door and into a comfortable, if sparsely furnished office.
Two men were sitting on leather sofas, facing across a coffee table, both men were tall, of medium build with dark hair, the one with his back to them was in uniform, and Ivan recognised him even before he turned his greying head. General Guy Allegre, chief of Imperial Security. The other man was, of course the Emperor, Gregor Vorbarra, ruler of three planets and commander in chief of all the empire's armed forces - including Ivan, who stopped just inside the door, stood at attention, and tried for a level voice, "Sire. How may I serve you?"
Hopefully Guy Allegre wasn't here to arrest him. That would be a service matter, not security - unless Rebecca had more clout than he imagined.
"Thank you Kevi," the armsman closed the door, and the Emperor stared at Ivan for a few seconds before continuing, "Alright Ivan, you can stop sweating, it's not about Rebecca Toscane - though how you contrived to fall into her orbit..." The emperor considered who he was talking to, "Never mind."
Ivan sighed in relief, not about last night then, so maybe it was a follow on mission, Guy Allegre's presence made that likely.
"Though if Laisa hadn't explained Rebecca's history to me..." Gregor smirked, "It seems you are not her first victim, although that still leaves me with an embarrassing social issue to resolve. Luckily I can sic your mother onto her, and maybe aunt Cordelia if Rebecca's still here when she returns," then Gregor released the issue from further attention, "Have a seat Captain Vorpatril, and prepare to be briefed by General Allegre. A very interesting situation has arisen on Jackson's Whole, which demands our immediate and very negative attention. Go ahead General."
That got Ivan's attention. Rebecca Toscane evaporated from his mind between breaths. Jacksons Whole? Shouldn't Miles be in on this, or even Lord Mark?
"This is a somewhat delicate and necessarily secret situation Captain," began Allegre, "and after his previous visits we absolutely don't want to send Count Vorkosigan. However appropriate it might be to have an Imperial Auditor represent our interests it would also be too official. It would also alert them - he's just too recognisable. Luckily we have one of our best people already on site. She's under deep cover in Bharaputra's secret clone creche, the one where he's keeping Emperor Gregor's two clones."
"He's what? Is he insane? He must know we'll vaporise him as soon as we found out!"
Gregor smiled, but left Allegre to respond, "Yes and no. Specifically yes we believe his mind has become unbalanced, and no the Emperor does not wish to vaporise his... clone brothers."
"Gregor? Sire! You can't seriously be thinking of leaving them alive! I mean sorry, but the scope for disastrous plots is just mind boggling!"
"Do you know, that was exactly the sentiment the General voiced when he brought the situation to my attention. However, I do credit him for allowing Me the choice. I have considered the evidence and the options, and upon consideration I have decided that we will rescue them."
"But Sire! Getting them out of Bharaputra's, after what happened with Miles and Mark?"
"Yes. Lord Mark has been much on my mind. What, after all would have happened if we had discovered the Komarran plot when he was still in Bharaputra's clone creche? We have considered that scenario, but we have a few options that weren't available at that time and I intend that we shall make use of them. The clones will be extracted, brought back here in secrecy and genetically modified so that they will no longer be identical to me."
"What? You can do that?"
"General Allegre, continue."
"Hm. A certain immigrant geneticist in our employ claims that altering genetic markers can make these clones easily distinguishable from the Emperor, irreversible genetic changes. We'll also make them physically different, so that they can't pose as him, even without genetic testing. Needless to say they will not have a choice in the matter."
"I should think not! Even so, it's a risky approach. You've given it consideration - dismissed all the alternatives?"
"Yes Captain," Gregor reassured him with emphasis, "there are political as well as moral reasons why I have made this decision. Do you have any other comments?"
"I only meant to be helpful, Sire. So did you want me to join the extraction team? How will we get past Baron Fell? Any trouble getting in will alert Bharaputra."
"That's where it gets a little complicated," Allegre stated in a flat voice.
Ivan couldn't quite work out the General's view of the Emperor's decision, "Seems like any complications would reduce our chances..."
"Not necessarily," said Gregor, ending any further argument. Both officers put aside their misgivings, and General Allegre explained the plan.