The 4th book in the Barrajar cycle.
After graduating from the Academy, Miles ends up at a godforsaken base at the pole. Among the numbing, grey days of army life, he manages to stir up the Imperial Security Service with his search for the truth—after which the head of the ISB, Illyan, is simply forced to enlist Miles into his own agency. The first combat operation of the newly appointed officer makes the young Forkosiagan a legend among the Barraярian special services, and the fleet of Dendarian mercenaries (which, in the person of Miles, again finds its admiral Naismith) carries out yet another operation in the interests of Barrajar.