The Vorkosigan Companion - Lillian Stewart Carl [135]
Couer:
No first name given. A commodore in the Barrayaran military, he is on Aral's second ship during the war with Escobar. (SH)
Council of Counts:
A ruling party on Barrayar similar to a parliament, they are part of the military aristocracy, and wear scarlet and silver robes while in session. With one representative for each District, they have certain gubernatorial powers, such as voting the approval of new counts, or electing a regent. They vote to confirm Aral as Regent of Barrayar. Miles is brought up on charges in front of them more than once, facing a treason charge after he forms the Dendarii Free Mercenary Fleet, and also before Gregor's wedding, when a group of right-wing counts, spearheaded by Lord Richars, tries to charge him with the murder of Etienne Vorsoisson. All charges are dismissed in both cases. (B, CC, SH, WA)
Council of Ministers:
Part of the joint council session convened to confirm Aral Vorkosigan's appointment as Regent of Barrayar. The ministers wear robes of black and purple with gold chains of office while in session. (B)
Count:
A hereditary title on Barrayar. Counts serve as a combination of ruler and governor of a district, settling disputes among the citizens and representing their district in the Council of Counts. The title was shortened from the word "accountant," as the first "counts" were created by Varadar Tau, an accomplished bandit, to collect taxes during the Time of Isolation. (All except FF)
Crème de meth:
A thick, sweet, green liquor, roughly 60% pure ethanol, that makes the drinker relaxed yet incredibly alert, and also gives a unique sense of confidence and well-being. Miles first tries it at Beta Colony with Arde Mayhew, who had been using it to stay awake for three days. He describes the taste as a cross between horse piss and honey. It also kills hunger and clears the sinuses, but the hangover afterward is terrible, as Miles discovers later. (WA)
Crew, Rosalie:
A wine shop clerk in London who sues Admiral Naismith for a half million credits after she was terrorized and her shop accidentally burned down by three of the Dendarii Free Mercenaries when their credit was denied. When Mark asks about the lawsuit, Miles suggests countersuing for medical damages, as he threw his back out rescuing her. (BA)
"Crossing, The":
A zero-gee ballet about the quaddies' flight to freedom, composed by Aljean, that is performed on Graf Station while Miles and Ekaterin are there. Normally Garnet Five dances the part of Silver, but with her broken arm, she is resigned to watching her understudy perform the role. (DI)
Croye:
No first name given. A lieutenant in the Barrayaran Embassy Security on Beta Colony, he is one of the security detail assigned to watch over Miles, who fears if Croye finds out he met with Baz Jesek, he'll deport the deserter back to Barrayar for a swift court-martial and execution. (WA)
Cryo-chamber:
A portable, emergency medical unit used to preserve the recently deceased in cryo-stasis for later resuscitation. It enables a medical technician to drain the blood from a body, replacing it with cryogenic preservation fluid. Miles is placed in one when he is killed during the evacuation from the Bharaputra clone facility on Jackson's Whole. (BA)
Cryo-stasis:
Also known as cryo-freezing, it is a process used to save victims of severe injury, including death. The patient's body is drained of all blood, replacing it with a special cryogenic fluid that preserves tissues at a low temperature. The body is then placed in a cryo-chamber and frozen for later revival at a cryo-revival center. These centers clone tissues and grow needed replacement parts, then transplant them into the person before revival.
The quality of preparation, blood draining, and replacement with cryo-fluid is critical. If the preparation is done by a good medical facility, the chance