[Gregor hadn't dared to show this to Mark yesterday (or this morning) but with Miles feeling it already, he echoes back a reflection of that protectiveness. Gregor's runs quieter and steadier than Miles's, obviously, not just from his personality but with that distance of association. It's not his clone-brother.

But what he'd felt and seen was more than enough for him to relinquish his suspicions and turn instead to his second instinct: wanting to protect him. Miles isn't alone in that at all.]

I don't have the whole story, but what I do know is horrific, [Gregor says quietly.] It's a complicated Komarran plot to engender chaos on Barrayar and provide them an opportunity to gain independence. The word he used for himself was programmed.