A new day. It was like just any other day in the middle of Nowhere. A deep voice droned in a large hall, with a bee-like buzz accompanying it in the background.

"Originally, Old Settlement was an archaeological site for studying Beringian culture and roots of post-Meghalayan civilizations in the Americas. Of course, they didn't have those names at the time when it was discovered in 1890s by the gold diggers. One mentioned of ancient bones brought about a number of grave-robbers and failed enterpreneours to this valley, but it was quickly abandoned thereafter for the lack of the said gold, and any other valuables for that matter, and later completely deserted once the Gold Rush began in earnest far southwards.

Atleast they brought the railways here, which in turn brought some curious farmers. They too left  when the arid land failed to cough up a single harvest and bones popped up wherever they ploughed. These bones as well as other important artifacts were recovered from the native hunter tribes. They too were then displaced by a more educated population interested in the said bones. Within a decade, these good folk filled their resumes with quite a few discoveries. Quite a few. Too bad that the war followed in their footsteps and the able-bodied men were conscripted and carted off to the east coast or mines down south, The women and the rest went to factories elsewhere. Though they all mostly survived, the industrial boom that followed took hold of their interest. In a sense, this place never really became a home to anyone until then. I was just five years old at the time."

"That wasn't the end though. Some of us remembered. The Old Settlement was turned into a conservation site in the 60s when I came back. After the war, many archaelogists and historians thronged here in search of their own Tut, or a moon landing, whatever filled their fancies. Old records were dusted, tax money mobilized, and thus our prestigious institute came to be. Even Elvis dropped by. You may not believe but this town harboured a million inhabitants once."

"Too bad that they too left because they believed that all there was to the Settlement was already discovered. I chose to differ. And I believe in you. Yes you, each one of the three hundred seventy three of you, who have chosen the path of curiosity and perseverance. We will find the key to human existence in the Americas and our names will etched on the annals of history......"

Esewhere in the room, another harmony played...

"Jin, dude, why are we stuck here with the freshman? I'm bored." Pete whispered.

Jin elbowed him, "I've told you a hundred times already. This is our ticket out of here, out of Nowhere. Dr Stevenson is planning a huge mission somewhere abroad and if we want to join we must rack up on bullshit administrative credits even if we get sponsored. Now shut up. That boring guy on the podium will decide whether we rot here for another 3 years, or party in the exotic lands."

"Oh look at me. I moved here from the awesome Britain and I have goals in life.", Pete intoned.

"Shut up. This is anyway the first orientation for both of us. It is not so boring if you listen", Jin defended.

You could be reading stolen content. Head to Royal Road for the genuine story.

Lei Bu added, "Hey, this is boring. The whole town is boring. I mean, I totally agree with the million who left. People still remember when Drunk Sam tried to hump the mayor's chevy. I wasn't even born then and I still..."

"Uhhmmm... Uhmmmm.."

Dean Stevenson cleared his throat in the mic, glaring at the three stooges by the left entrance who stopped their crescendoing argument at once, trying hard to be invisible. The freshmen turned in their chairs too, sitting in anticipation of the infamous tongue lashing. Unfortunately for them, the Dean turned back towards them and continued his cantrip. Meanwhile, the heros counted to a hundred under their breath, then tucked their tails and a stealthily exited the decrepit Assembly Hall one after another.

"Phew!"

"You know, the one thing I wish I had is 'courage', like just stand there and glare back", Lei Bu sighed.

The three were now walking along the Belgian Boulevard. The road split the campus in two equal halves, called Starboard and Port. Surrounded by old buildings and a smell of fresh grass, the three journeyed to the only campus bar situated Port-side, nestled between the library and a barbershop.

"Bullshit, you did plenty in the Hall. Not to mention the courage to be turned down by each girl in the class. twice, and still have the gall to show up with your ugly mug for another round. Am I right, Mulberry?" Jin scoffed as they walked.

"I don't want to hear anything from you .. cheap.. chinese viagra.. knockoff. It is a new day, a new place. Go away, No more negativity. Shooo..." Lei Bu retorted.

"BuBu, you know, our boy Jin has a point. Anyway, what does it matter, we have freshmen to do you in again. Maybe it is your time to shine, eh?"

"Go away bad spirits."

Lei Bu grabbed something salt from his pant pockets and threw it at them with both hands.

"What the fuck. Is this salt? Why are you carrying salt?"

"No reason. Just a little show and tell for the freshmen, sorry freshwomen.." Lei Bu replied sheepishly.

"Lol... so brave.. BuBu, I wish you get some excorcise tonight.."

And so they trudged on, well onto their way to the Whiskey Bar.

"What do you think is this project your mom talked about."

"I don't know either. She says Stevenson is keeping it under wraps until details are finalized. His excuses are quite flimsy. Says he doesn't want anyone to jump the gun, or worse let city folk talk about it to outsiders. It should be somewhere in South America or Africa by what I've heard so far. Ms Lin also mentioned about necessary expertise in excavation at a site with prehistoric cultures. They're gonna need camera teams, archaeologists, diggers, historians, and cooks too. It'll be interesting atleast."

"So, any changes to the plan? I swear if I have spent hours typing those old, crumbling notebooks filled with illegible gibberish only to be told 'well done, now fuck off', I'll burn this place down." Lei Bu grumbled.

"Chill Schwarzenger. Keep your head down for now. No disciplinary actions until we are selected. You should be good since Dr Spencer will get you in. After that, fuck this place. Now, I am talking to the graduating film majors. Everyone is buzzing with excitement so it will be hard to find a spot on the crew but I think I can get in. The 'arduous physical strain' checkbox should be easy. The problem is you, Mulberry. Any progress with the secretary?"

"Hey, Mrs. Stevenson no. 3 is lonely and horny as fuck. Got her where we want her. Need I say more."

"Yes. Don't get too close. Make her want to send you away."

"Well, she's promised she'll help. It'd be a shame though. She's real nice and her french toasts are to die for. "

"Awesome. Just a few more days..."

"Cheers to us!"

"Cheers to a semester abroad."

"Hear hear!!"

Clink, clink, clink...

"Btw, was that a euphemism?"

"What's a euphemism?"

"French to... Nevermind, forget I said anything... just take the salt... Hey Jill!! more tequila over here. We are celebrating."