Nikolai nodded, swallowing his apprehension. In truth, speaking to the Premier unnerved him. The man had both the experience of years and the entirety of the Coalition to back him. By comparison, he was worthless. Then again; why had he come, if not to become something more? Regardless, it mattered little now. His fate would be decided by greater men then he. With a cursory salute, and a brief glance in the direction of the new candidate, Kasheyev stepped back into the biting cold. Doing his utmost to ignore the menacing war-bots, he fished a cigarette from the depths of his coat and lit up. Nikolai inhaled gratefully, reveling in the warmth. He may as well. It could have been his last.
