God. His grandfather is even more imposing in person. Some small part of him had hoped that talking to him one-on-one might have reduced the sheer presence the man exudes. Apparently not. He has to take a moment just to stare up at him. His grandfather, younger than Miles has ever seen him. No longer an old man in bed - and Piotr Vorkosigan had been a hell of a presence even then. Now he's all but overwhelming.

Right. Don't waste the man's time. He swallows back the lump in his throat and straightens up again. "I can help," he says bluntly. "More than just chores and menial tasks. I've military experience. Military training." He won't ask for command - there's a goddamn mistake - but if he's left out of everything going on, he will go utterly mad. "I want to help with your war efforts."