Miles' Early History

Miles is truly exceptional. He has succeeded in making a place for himself on a world which views his physical handicaps as insurmountable. Miles is driven to succeed though, despite the odds.

Miles had a hard start from the beginning. He was damaged in the womb due to an assassination attempt on his father, Aral Vorkosigan. The would-be assassin used a military gas called Soltoxin, and while he did not succeed in killing Miles' parents, the gas did affect Miles teratogenetically. This means that Miles' genes are OK - and any offspring that he would have would be normal. Miles has deformities, but those deformities don't extend to his genes. On mutant-fearing Barrayar, however, Miles is viewed as a mutant, even though he isn't. (A mutant is someone who has genetic damage.)

The effects of the gas on the unborn Miles, made a mess of his bones. He was transferred from Cordelia's womb (his mother) into a uterine replicator to finish gestation. Miles underwent many corrective surgeries and medical treatments prior to being born. (Otherwise, he wouldn't have made it.) Cordelia Naismith Vorkosigan, formerly a Betan Astronomical Survey Captain, does not hold the prejudices of Barrayarrans against deformities. She sees Barrayar's views on deformities and handicaps as unenlightened - to put it mildly.

His grandfather, Count Piotre Vorkosigan, is appalled at the idea of having a "damaged" grandson and heir, and actually tries to have Miles killed before he is even born. Miles' parents have a falling out with Piotre over this and are estranged for over five years. During this time, Aral is named Regent to child-Emperor Gregor after the Pretender's War and lives in the Imperial Palace with Cordelia, Miles and Gregor. Cordelia and Aral assign their son a bodyguard, the implacable Sergeant Bothari, who proves to be protection not only against his grandfather, but other Barrayarrans as well.

Miles is extremely bright and his mental giftedness help make up for his physical problems. His father and mother both see him as Barrayars greatest hope in advocating change toward people with disabilities.