Who is Ensign from Schismatrix Plus and what is their importance?

The first alien being that Nora and Lindsay meet, an Investor called the Ensign, comes to negotiate the sale of Asteroid ESAIRS 89-XII. Ensigns are the Investor's second in command aboard their ships. They act as a combination of minister and diplomat. The first Ensign that Nora and Lindsay meet is polished and well spoken in English, unlike the Ensign who deals with Lindsay once they leave G-T.