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One and the Same

Ghem-General Dag Benin bowed deeply from the waist as he entered the semi-private study of Emperor the haut Fletchir Giaja. The room was dark, with drawn velvet curtains and only one lit lamp. The few pieces of antique furniture, a simple set of desk, chair and lamp, were sharply contrasted by the newest model of the famed Mela-brand comconsole, though all were extremely elegant.

After the required two seconds of a ghem-general in the Imperial Service to his Imperial Master, Benin straightened up and announced, "Milord, I have just come from the interrogation chambers, where I personally conducted the interview of Ms. Cavilo, formerly of the mercenary fleet Randall's Rangers. Some . . . interesting new information was gained, unanticipated, and I though it best to report directly to you."

The Emperor turned to face Benin and nodded to show he was listening. "She was captured three days ago, on Kline Station, correct?"

"Yes, sir," replied the ghem-general. "Cavilo has finally confirmed our hypothesis about the famed Admiral Naismith."

"You mean . . ." The Emperor's face betrayed no surprise, only a slight amount of curiosity.

"Indeed, milord," Benin confirmed. "There is only one clone, Lord Mark Pierre Vorkosigan. Lord Miles Naismith Vorkosigan of Barrayar and Admiral Miles Naismith of the Dendarii Mercenaries are one and the same."

"This is indeed interesting, Ghem-General," mused the Emperor. "So

Lieutenant Taborappears to have been mistaken when he swore after the Earth debacle that they were separate men."

"I believe that Vorkosigan convinced his clone—" began Benin, but his Emperor cut him off with a wave of the hand.

"The Barrayaran Emperor's wedding is coming up, is it not? To the Toscane heiress?"

"Yes, sir," said Benin, confused by the sudden change in subject. He strongly suspected that His Imperial Majesty already knew the exact date, so instead of that detail, he continued with, "Satrap Governor Degtiar of Rho Ceta plans to attend, as does his consort, the haut Pel. Would you like me to pass them the information?"

"Only to the haut Pel. I believe that you yourself should attend as well, Ghem-General. Lord Vorkosigan still has not corrected his cyro-seizures, I understand?"

"No, sir, he has not."

"Very well. you may pass on a message to him. Please give Lord Miles Vorkosigan my condolences on the death of his close friend Admiral Naismith." He paused, then said, "That is all."

"Yes, milord. I shall make the appropriate arrangements." Benin bowed again, and turned to go. As he was closing the door, Emperor the haut Fletchir Giaja called out, "Ghem=General Benin?"

"Yes, milord?" Benin poked his head back through the doorframe.

"Don't forget to add that I trust the Admiral will not be resurrected again."

Benin smiled. "Yes sir." He backed up, closed the door, and went back to work on clearing his desk before going to Barrayar. This news certainly put some things in perspective.