"In his absence it falls to his officers," for a moment it seems as if that's all Olivia will say as she studies the woman before her. Different? Possibly like Beta Colony, then -- but if so, then she's right to be cautious -- Piotr's soldiers are hardly as forward thinking as their general, and even then her husband only bows to reason and not to galactic example. Ah, Barrayarans. The hint of a smile becomes stronger still, although her face remains carefully neutral. All of those officers are susceptible to a certain amount of pressure, if it comes from a particular source.

So instead she folds her hands in front of her, and continues. "I assume the services you offer are military in nature? Why else would you be so curious as to the structure of command here?" That would be a fight that would take more than the power Olivia has at her disposal, but-- "General Count Vorkosigan has the final word on those matters, and if that is your wish it will take more than one audience with him to accept your offer." If it's something the other woman truly wants, Olivia will do her best to see that Rani is given the best chance, but she will only offer if the woman is willing to accept a difficult fight.