Komarr

that would be Jackson's Whole. But it stands to reason, with all the people meeting and greeting and parting through here, that there would be a market niche for this sort of thing. They grow them right here on the station, you know, along with all their truck garden vegetables. Why do they call them truck gardens, I wonder? I don't think they ever grew trucks in them, even back on Old Earth.' He dragged over a chair and sat down near her, at the foot of the Professora's bed. 'I believe that dark red fuzzy thing is a Barrayaran plant, by the way. It made me break out in hives when I touched it.'

'Yes, bloody puffwad,' she agreed.

'Is that its name, or a value judgment?'

She smiled. 'I believe it refers to the color. It comes from South Continent, on the western slopes of the Black Escarpment.'

'I was at the Black Escarpment for winter training once. Happily, these things must have been buried under several meters of snow at the time.'

'How shall we ever get them home, Miles?' said the Professora, half laughing.

'Don't burden yourself,' he recommended. 'You can always give them to the medtechs when you leave.'

'But they must be very expensive,' said Ekaterin in worry. Ridiculously so, for something they could only enjoy for a few hours.

'Expensive?' he said blankly. 'Automated weapons-control systems are expensive. Combat drop missions which go wrong are very expensive. These are cheap. Really. Anyway, it supports a business, which is good for the Imperium. If you get a chance, you ought to ask for a tour of the station's hydroponics section before you leave. I'd think you'd find it pretty interesting.'

'We'll see if there's time,' said Ekaterin. 'It's been such a bizarre experience. It's strange to realize I'm not even late getting back to pick up Nikki yet. Just a few more days to complete his treatment, and I'm done with Komarr.'

'Do you have everything in hand for that? Everything you need? Your aunt,' he nodded at the Professora, 'is with you now.'

'I expect I'll be able to handle anything that comes up this time,' Ekaterin assured him.

'I expect you will.' That scimitar smile flickered over his face again.

'We only missed the ship we were originally scheduled to take this morning because Uncle Vorthys insisted we wait and travel back to Komarr with him in his fast courier. Do you know when that will be? I should send a message to Madame Vortorren.'

'He has a few chores here yet. ImpSec Komarr sent us out a special squad of boffins and techs to clean up and document that mess you made in the Southport loading bay– '

'Oh, dear. I'm sorry—' she began automatically.

'No, no, it was a beautiful mess. Couldn't have made a better one myself, and I've made a few. Anyway, he will be overseeing them, and then returning to Komarr to set up a secret scientific commission to study the device, explore its limits and all that. And HQ sent me some high-powered interrogators whom I wanted to personally brief before they took charge of my prisoners. Captain Vorgier wasn't too happy that I wouldn't let any of his local people question our conspirators, but I've already declared all details of this case need-to-know under my Auditor's seal, so he's out of luck.' He cleared his throat. 'Your uncle and I have decided I get the job of going straight back to Vorbarr Sultana from here and making the preliminary report to Emperor Gregor in person. He's only been getting ImpSec digests.'

'Oh,' she said, startled. 'Leaving so soon . . . ? What about all your things—you shouldn't go off without your seizure stimulator, should you?'

Half self-consciously, he rubbed his temple; the white bandages were gone from his wrists, she noticed, leaving only pale red rings of new scars. To add to his collection, presumably. 'I had Tuomonen pack up all my kit and send it out here with the crew from HQ. It arrived a couple of hours ago, so I'm all set. Good old ImpSec, they do piss me off sometimes. Tuomonen is going to get a major black mark, because the conspiracy in Serifosa Terraforming took place on his watch, and he never caught it, even though it was really the Imperial Accounting Office which should have been the first line of defense. And that idiot Vorgier is getting a commendation. There is no justice.'

'Poor Tuomonen. I liked him. Isn't there anything you can do about that?'

'Mm, I turned down a chance to be in charge of ImpSec's internal affairs, so no, I think I'd better not.'

'Will he keep his post?'

'It's uncertain at this time. I told him if he finds his military career at a stand, to look me up. I think I'm going to be able to use a good trained assistant in this Auditor job. The work will be irregular, though. The trend of my life.'

He sucked thoughtfully on his lower lip, and glanced across at her. 'The reclassification of this case from a peculation scam to something far more serious also affects what you can tell Nikki, I'm afraid. It's all headed into a security black hole as fast as we can stuff it in there, and it's going to stay there for quite some time. There will, therefore, be no public prosecutions and no need for you to testify, though ImpSec may be around for another interview or two—not under fast-penta. In retrospect, I'm very relieved I played it as close to my chest as I did. But for Nikki, and all Tien's relatives, and anyone else, the story is going to have to remain that he died in a simple breath mask accident from being caught outside with a low reservoir, and you don't know any more details than that. Madame Dr. Vorthys, this is for you, too.'

'I understand,' said the Professora.

'I am both relieved, and disturbed,' said Ekaterin slowly.

'In time, the security considerations will soften. You will have to rejudge the problem then, when, well, when many things may have changed.'

'I did wonder if, for Nikki's name's honor, I ought to try to pay back the Imperium all the bribe money Tien received.'

He looked startled. 'Good God, no. If anyone owes anything, it's Foscol. She stole it in the first place. And we certainly won't be getting anything back from her.'

'Something is owed,' she said gravely.

'Tien settled his debt with his life. He's quits with the Imperium, I assure you. In the Emperor's Voice, if necessary.'

She took this in. Death did wipe out debt. It just didn't erase the memory of pain; time was still required for that healing. Your time is your own, now. That felt strange. She could take all the time she wanted, or needed. Riches beyond dreams. She nodded. 'All right.'

'The past is paid. Please notify me about Tien's funeral, though. I wish to attend, if I can.' He frowned. 'I too owe something there.'

She shook her head mutely.

'In any case, do call me when you and your aunt get back to Vorbarr Sultana.' He glanced again at the Professora. 'She and Nikki will be staying with you for a time, yes?' Ekaterin was not quite sure if that was phrased as a question or a demand.

'Yes, indeed.' Aunt Vorthys smiled.

'So here are all my addresses.' He spoke again to Ekaterin, and handed her a plastic flimsy. 'The numbers for the Vorkosigan residences in Vorbarr Sultana, Hassadar, and Vorkosigan Surleau, for Master Tsipis in Hassadar —my man of business, I believe I mentioned him to you—he usually knows where to get hold of me in a pinch, when I'm out in the District—and a drop-number through the Imperial Residence, which will always know how to reach me. Any time, day or night.'

Aunt Vorthys leaned back, with her finger on her lips, and regarded him with growing bemusement. 'Do you think those will be enough, Miles? Perhaps you can think of three or four more, just to be sure?'

To Ekaterin's surprise, he flushed a little. 'I trust these will suffice,' he said. 'And of course, I should be able to reach you through your aunt, right?'

'Of course,' murmured Aunt Vorthys.

'I'd like to show you over my District sometime,' he added to Ekaterin, avoiding the Professora's eye. 'There's a great deal to see there you might find of interest. There's a major forestry project going on in the