[ sonia wishes she had something to hold onto right now, anything. she feels like the room is tilting out from under her. please stop asking, she thinks fervently, frantically. please stop asking, i don't want to know.

the ghem-colonel snaps his teeth shut, nostrils flaring. coolly: ]

I think the rest of that line of questioning is better saved for another interrogation. The ghem-General will want to sit in on that one. What I would like to know right now is why the Countess was included in your mission. Don't you Barrayarans think less of your women?