Maister didn't miss the opportunity to comment the women that was heading to their table, after all, good atmosphere is always a good thing. Especially if you are on a space station in the wast black nothingness owned by a notoriously austerity imposing company.
I'm fairly certain that Bauer would have kept her as a personal advisor or something like that, if he had only seen her.
As both Daumann employees laughed somewhat forcefully she had already approached the table. Karl, like a true gentleman took the initiative.