Uncharted 3: The severed connection

Chapter One: Public speaking


"I must say, what an honour it is to invite our next guest onto the stage" beamed Professor Jefferys, his pair of bright blue eyes sparkling behind a pair of slipping bifocals. He hastily pushed them back up his wrinkled nose, grinning from ear to ear.

Although packed to the brim, the crowded lecture theatre occupants did not mirror his enthusiasm. Hundreds of students, mostly in their 20's were lethargic, whispering and shifting simultaneously, uncomfortable by the heat and the claustrophobic ambience.

In the back of the crowded auditorium, a man shifted somewhat uncomfortably in his seat. His hands were flicking the dog-eared corners of blue cue cards that were resting on his knee, which was nervously flexing up and down.

"Our speaker today is an ex-student of mine, well experienced in the field of exploration and restoration of ancient temples and artefacts" continued Professor Jeffereys. "He is also the son of the late Sandra Drake, a historian and archaeologist that contributed many articles to your curriculum text" He paused for a reaction from the students but got none. "It is my honour and privilege on behalf of staff and students in the Applied History and Archaeology Department to welcome Nathaniel Drake to the stage"

"That would be my cue" muttered the man. Nathan got out of his chair with a sheepish, embarrassed grin and gave a small wave to the students before hastily climbing through the rows of chairs to make it to the front.

The lecture hall of students murmured impatiently in their seats. Some politely applauded as Nathan made his way up to the front of the stage while others turned to the seat behind them to engage in a quick conversation.

He tapped the microphone twice and a resonating boom echoed through the great hall. He awkwardly attempted to adjust it to his height, as Professor Jefferys was a man of much shorter stature than himself. The microphone held its new position for a fraction of a second before limply falling back into place. All students' eyes were fixated on this display of gravity, as if it were something worth paying attention to. Nathan wished they wouldn't. He was already quite nervous, and now with the added bonus of having to lean over to speak into the microphone, he was already dreading the next few minutes.

"Good afternoon class" Nathan spoke. "I've been invited here today to discuss with you the importance of field training in the Archaeological exploration field" He took a deep breath and adjusted his cue cards. "Now…"

"Mr Drake?" called a rather large brunette from the middle row. She had her hand up in the air, her other arm supporting it as though she had been holding it up for some time.

"uh.. yes? Question already?"

The brunette looked smug. "Surely you can't believe our studies alone should be …. field work?"

Nathan looked a little confused. "I'm not sure where you're getting at" He stumbled. "Are you suggesting.. that is not important to go see what's out there for yourself?"

The girl had a funny look on her face. She seemed to be struggling not to laugh. "I am merely suggesting, Mr Drake, that it would seem more beneficial to concentrate on our studies"

Nathan immediately began to dislike this girl. Like she's even ever done any fieldwork the fat bitch he thought to himself "There's no better way to learn about history then to go experience it for yourself" He stammered. He adjusted his collar nervously. The lights on stage were causing beads of sweat to run down his face. The room was so hot as it is, the air inside suddenly felt as though it were sucked out in a vacuum. To top it off, he really wasn't accustomed to wearing a collared white shirt.

"Mr Drake, lets speak honestly here. Say, you had actually completed this degree that we are all studying.."

Nathan's eyes fell for a moment. "Excuse me? Wait…"

"Oh no its ok. We all know. Professor Jefferys told us last week that you failed this subject, module, class.." she gestured with her chubby hands. "Whatever. The point I'm getting to Mr Drake, is that you have had no reputable finds or discoveries whatsoever in the last decade you have considered yourself to be a field explorer"

"Well, just wait one second here…"

"You didn't complete your studies, therefore have no qualifications"

"Well no.. I didn't complete it…"

" What I am actually asking, is why should we believe that it is more important to be in the field when you never opened a text book the whole time you were here?"

Nathan gritted his teeth. The whole audience were alert in their chair, clearly loving how uncomfortable this student was making Nate feel. They were nodding in succession, muttering under their breaths.

When Nate failed to reply the woman spoke again. "I'm saying this Mr Drake because we know that you've contributed to a few archaeological journals and we are aware of very brief aspects of your field work, but all this success, and I unfortunately use the term lightly, has, I assume, not paid your bills, has not had you professional published, and not left you professional regarded in the archaeological field"

Nate raised an eyebrow. "What defines success for you miss, is completely different to what I see"

She looked at him curiously. "What is success to you Mr Drake?"

The first thing that came to his mind was a vision of blonde hair tickling down a back. A shared kiss in the mountains of Tibet. Soft, parted lips.....But no. That moment had passed.

Nate sighed, startling himself at how much the microphone in front of him was able to pick up his exhale and amplify across the crowded room. This was no time to be thinking of her. Elena. How they had parted Tibet.

He shook his head. "Listen guys, if there is any advice I can offer you today that you will take with you and use its this it"

The murmuring came to a gradual cease

"My mother always told me you will never truly understand something, somewhere or someone until you love it.. Until you truly revel in its presence, after it makes you weak at the knees after your heart goes a mile a minute at the very thought of it.

"And that is how I feel about history. Thats how I feel when I stumble upon a ruin that hasn't been seen for centuries,. This is something you will never learn from books, and lectures. Its something you can only gain from seeing these marvels of history yourself. Only then, with love, will you truly understand"

His voice quavered slightly at the end as the image of blonde hair entered his mind again.. he gazed down at his hands in front of him, composing himself. He looked up after a beat, surprised to see the audience equally as quiet, fascinated by his words. Some were even scrawling notes frantically on note pads.

"Of course, sometimes the best advice is to always carry a big ass gun with you!" he joked. No one laughed with him. Everyone looked at him a little confused.

"Let me explain" he started. "See.. I was searching for the lost treasure of El...."

BANG!!!!!!!!!!

(Would love to hear what people think. I will post more later if you like) - sariah