She was somewhat surprised that the approaching stranger addressed her, and for a moment she wasn't certain how to respond. In the company of the patients she'd met thus far, she'd adopted a friendlier, more conversational demeanor, but in the presence of higher-ranking officers she could not adopt that demeanor again. Without the uniforms, without even the state itself, it was perhaps inappropriate to maintain a military protocol, but she found it particularly necessary.

Though she regretted losing sight of the colonel where he remained against the wall, she turned to face the polite stranger more fully, her voice firm but willing to serve. "What can I do for you, sir?"