Rough Men International 2166

By Michael Lighten

In 2166 after many devastations through earth changes, alien invasions, and diseases; much of the earth appeared in relative peace with itself until a curious child was born to ask the question why. This one question began stirrings of long-buried emotions, hidden and dangerous...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael Lighten
• Release date: Mar 27, 2021
• ISBN: 9781393532132

Book preview

ROUGH MEN INTERNATIONAL

COPYRIGHT

Rough Men International August 2019 By Michael Lighten. All Rights Reserved.

ROUGH MEN INTERNATIONAL

COPYRIGHT

AUTHOR'S NOTES

DEDICATIONS

GEORGE ORWELL’S QUOTE

PROLOGUE

2153

1

2166

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

LOST ARVID

LUKE 15:6-7

10

11

12

13

THE HOPE OF LOVE

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15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

AFTERMATH

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

THE SOLVED MYSTERY OF ARCHER HILL

38

39

40

41

42

43

44

45

46

2163

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48

49

50

51

52

EPILOGUE

THE BATTLE FOR DOMINATION IN SEVERAL REGIONS

FEATURES OF CERTAIN ALIENS

EXTENDED GLOSSARY

OTHER BOOKS BY MICHAEL LIGHTEN

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

AUTHOR'S NOTES

Of course, these are fictional accounts of futuristic events. Each timeline is distinct of their standings.

I would encourage a gleaming of the glossary for Other Worldly Alien (OWA) expressions and features of certain aliens before devouring the whole text and story.

Also, I would note there are present places in the future written in war experiences. I did not or would ever desire these locations to meet any disastrous fate.

I only wrote what I saw the characters experience and the occurrences thereafter continued in its story...

DEDICATIONS

TO THE ROUGH ONES

GEORGE ORWELL’S QUOTE

We sleep safe in our beds because rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence on those who would do us harm.

PROLOGUE

In 2166 after many devastations through earth changes, alien invasions, and diseases; much of the earth appeared in relative peace with itself, until a curious child was born to ask the question of why.

This one question began stirrings of long-buried emotions, hidden and dangerous...

2153

1

I would say that introverts make some of the best international philosophers. ― Criss Jami, Killosophy

FARMER’S ISLES (FORMERLY NORTHERN INDIANA

Touched with the ability to see into the future, the fuman Love Land began to make crack decisions on her ability alone and rarely confided in advisors, only intuition and what she could see in her mind’s eye.

Before her quick demise she knew that her new system was flawed, but it was too late to make corrections.

When she quickly came out of meditation, she made another crack decision to travel and stood as the human Short gave her a black, short rod.

We are going to..., Love trailed in her words.

Wausau, Short said. These are the coordinates. Security, we are on the move.

You are in charge, until we return, Love turned to Delora.

Delora nodded her head and sat in the middle chair where Love usually sat. She looked about her grimly as the pressure of leadership began to weigh on her.

WAUSAU (FORMERLY WISCONSIN)

Love suddenly awakened from a dead sleep and looked around. In the quiet and dark she sensed danger and notified Short, who stayed in an interconnected room. When he hurried in, he carried a charged laser weapon; but she discouraged him.

That won’t be enough. We must leave, now! she said.

Nona with the other guards began to spring into action as Love and Short hurried to the door. They all produced their weapons and the servants moved back, petrified. When they made it through the doors their air vehicle was only a few yards away.

It was early in the morning and the sun’s rays were just beyond the horizon, but darkness still acted as a blanket across the region and made visibility difficult.

She was petrified with fear and did not know which direction it was coming. Her fears multiplied when she suspected they would surround her and kill them, when images crawled before her face.

She watched the dark flyer and it kicked into life with power. The guards and Short stopped in their advance, but she motioned them forward, agitated.

Hurry, she said.

You’re a bad ass, Short said.

Don’t praise me until we are safe in our home. There are some things even I can’t see, she said.

As they all piled into the vehicle and before many of them were buckled down for flight, the dark vehicle began to hover and take off. The pilots looked around, not sure what was happening, but Short smiled in his buckled seat at Love who sat silently, with eyes closed.

She is awesome. We don’t need pilots to fly, Short said to Nona, who smiled with him.

Love suddenly opened her eyes and looked defeated. Tears flowed from her gray eyes as she realized that death was only around the corner.

Oh, shit..., she said.

Short understood that their end was near. He suddenly turned to Nona and kissed her square on the lips.

I should get my last kiss in before..., Short paused in his words.

A fiery rocket ripped into the air vehicle with such ferocity that it tore in several pieces and plunged to earth with a great explosion.

Stewart lowered the rocket launcher and stood to watch the flames. He motioned for first responders not to put out the flames.

Let it burn, he said.

"I will put in my report as an accident," Bordon Crème, the Fire Chief said.

She had to be the most dangerous fuman alive before Jesse died. If you can think of someone to be your slave, how can you fight that? I’m doing the world a favor, Stewart said.

I will notify Farmer Isles of the mishap, Bordon said.

You do that, Stewart said evenly, as his eyes watched the flames.

FARMER ISLES

When Delora found out about the death of Love in an air accident, she immediately knew it was no accident. When many of Jesse’s former band told her, it was no accident, she used this time to cry deeply in a corner.

As her body slid down a smooth wall, Lucius hugged her deeply and sensed Love, his mom, was gone. They cried this way for a long time.

When Delora received a message from Destin on Love’s death, she knew there would be retribution. Destin informed her that retribution was in the works, but Delora did not want any more bloodshed.

It’s out of my hands, and yours, Destin said.

When Destin’s face vanished into a black screen Delora sighed deep as she tried to perceive which direction the retribution could come from and when she thought of Saar who had a deep connection to Love through Love Notes, she pressed her brown lips together and knew what she had to do.

Within an hour she stood outside of the bolaris Saar’s house. He peered into his cameras and smiled. When she made it through all the secure checkpoints she stood and observed high tech at its finest with robots, computers, and special lighting.

Impressive, she said.

Would you like a seat, something to drink? he waved servant robots her way.

I will take a seat, but nothing to drink, she waved them away. I am not here for a social call.

I didn’t think so. You know, you are full of surprises. You stayed in the background while Love controlled things, but now you are coming into your own. I sense you want to negotiate something that’s troubling you, am I right? he asked.

She leaned forward with a blue robe that covered her thin frame.

You sensed correctly; I would like to make a proposal to you. You end the retribution for Love, and I make you co-head of Farmer Isles. I am concerned any retribution will be met with brute force, something we would not be able to handle. Do we have a deal? she asked.

He appeared confused by her offer.

I don’t know of any retribution..., he said.

Of course, you cannot speak about it, but if you are the man for a job like that, I have a better offer for you. You see, I will not be able to use you if Farmer Isles is suddenly invaded by a superior force and its citizens killed or imprisoned, due to retaliation from our side, she said.

"It’s something to consider, if I am the man who believes in retribution," he said.

Also, this would be an appropriate time to end the bloodshed. It’s got to end somewhere..., she said as tears swelled in her brown eyes.

"If I were the man for retribution, I would have to make a choice and weigh its options and make a final decision. What else is on the table, while we speak, if I was that man?" he asked.

Peace, and head of over six-thousand people, she said.

They locked eyes and she could see the lust in his eyes, but knew he had great honor and would not push his way into her life, without her permission.

We would have to see how that goes. If things were to happen, if you were that man, you would need to shave and bathe more, no offense, she said.

None taken, he sat forward with a smile. I know that some humans see bolaris as descendants of dogs, but we are also part human too.

I never saw bos as descendants of dogs, just another species, with a little more hair than usual, she said.

They locked eyes again and she used this quiet time to rise and see her way out. He watched her as she walked to her air car as it hovered and flew onto an invisible magnetic strip and vanished into colors and lights.

In time Delora believed Saar declined her offer, until she noticed someone tall who stood in a black robe like a statue. She sat in green and yellow robes and fiddled with a long, black electronic pad as robots and advisors moved about the place.

She felt uneasy as he walked toward her with black robes that moved like silk. His eyes were determined as he stood and watched her. She nodded to a nearby chair, and he took his place.

When Saar smiled, she smiled too, but his body hair was mostly gone, and he smelled of soap and other good scents. Delora stared at him briefly and smiled, pleased.

2166

2

2132

These questions began at the age of four when she constantly asked, why? When that question was answered she asked why to the answer given, until those around her, exasperated, left the area to end the questions.

Once at six years old her mother, Sharon, irritated, she constantly asked too many questions, scolded her.

Stop asking so many questions, Chelsea, Sharon said.

Chelsea was about to ask another question and paused when she saw the look on her mother’s face.

Not another word, Sharon said.

Sharon’s black eyes stared, determined to get her point across. Sharon had a dark complexion and black hair that was greased back with blue streaks in it. It was a style she received many compliments from.

Chelsea sat back and pressed light brown skin against her blue robe. Her red hair bounced against the blue chair.

Sorry, she said.

You don’t have to know everything, Sharon said. Only God knows it all.

Chelsea bowed her head in sadness.

Evan, her father looked from his electronic black pad and sighed. He was a man with a pale complexion, green eyes, and red hair. It was obvious where Chelsea received her red hair.

He slowly rose and sat next to his daughter.

Are you going to pout like that all night? he asked her.

Probably, she said.

This is your off night of no school or chores, and you are going to spend it pouting? he asked.

Probably, she repeated with a tiny voice.

Come to study with me, he said as he waved the pad like a flag.

I don’t feel like going, she said.

Come on, he smiled. I know you want to go.

Sharon eyed them as a slick black door hissed open and lights danced on its edges. He glanced back at his wife and winked at her. She could only wink back with a faint smile.

Remember, when you walk through these doors you go into a whole new world, he said.

She smiled faintly, and the sadness ebbed away.

WARREN

Chelsea Bond was born in 2136 to Evan and Sharon Bond. The youngest of four children, she arm-wrestled with her three older siblings and played chase! until they were all weary and laughing.

Baseball, basketball, and track were her most famous sports. Chelsea grew to become a fine young lady, despite enjoying boy, sports, many liked to be around her, except when she began to ask questions about the past.

Ebon, Chelsea’s older brother of ten years usually visited her around this time of year. It was near the Christmas holidays and light snow began to fall on the streets of Warren, Pa.

Ebon kept his hair short and black with streaks of red in certain spots. He was a tall man and wore his robes neat and pressed. When he arrived at his sister’s college apartment he looked around and noticed papers in disarray.

Wow, he sat on a blue couch. Someone needs to clean up.

Shut up, Chelsea said.

He faintly smiled, chagrined.

That’s not nice, he said.

Sorry, she moved papers around and pressed a flat device to her ear.

What are you looking for? Ebon asked. Maybe I can help you find it.

She touched the device and its screen buzzed off.

I thought I left a note to myself about this booklet..., she peered around.

You’re looking for a booklet? he asked.

You wouldn’t believe me if I told you, she said.

Try me, he leaned forward and clasped his pink fingers together.

I am looking for my copy of RMI, she said.

Rough Men International? he sat, surprised.

"I am looking for a specific copy," she said.

Why are you looking for the printed version when you can find it online? he asked.

I am looking for a specific ad that’s not online, she said.

If it’s not online then it’s not viable. You know the printed version of things are behind the times. You must get with the times, sister, he said.

RMI is no more, she said.

What? he asked, shocked.

It went down midnight, last night. Where have you been, in a cave somewhere? she asked.

I’ve been working long hours at the factory. I don’t have time for news events, he said.

She pulled a 20-page pamphlet from between two folders. She handled it delicately and Ebon became impatient and tried to snatch it from her. She blocked his thrusts with one thin arm and moved away.

Watch your manners, she said.

What are you reading? he asked.

She sat next to him and moved the pamphlet into his range where he carefully looked it over, puzzled.

I don’t see..., he said.

There, she pointed to an article.

Oh no, he moved the pamphlet away. You have got to be crazy to be thinking about that.

Do you know how much information I can come across to be an archivist? They are paying too, she said.

Not that much, Ebon said.

I have grant money that keeps me going. Plus, dad’s stipend, she said.

See? he said.

What? she asked.

"You’re talking like a rough man already. We don’t use stipend in that fashion," he said.

How else do you use it? she asked.

Never mind, he leaned back on the couch.

She sat next to him and noticed his mood changed dark. She could not understand what was wrong.

What’s wrong? she asked softly.

I don’t want you to have anything to do with the rough man. They play for keeps, he said.

What do you think I am going to do, rob their office? I am applying for a position, she said.

As your big brother, I forbid for you to have anything to do with the rough man, he looked forward with a stoic stare.

She stared, shocked.

Ebon, you are my eldest brother, not my dad, and I am grown and can do what I want. I am living on campus, an adult, you can’t forbid me to do anything, she said.

Ebon found it hard to keep a straight face and tried not to laugh, but she stared at him with an innocent smile, and it was hard for him not to keep his composure. She pounded his hard arm playfully.

You’re wrong, she said.

Just for that I’m calling in the big guns, he abruptly stood.

Mom or dad, so? she said.

I’m telling, he said.

What are you four years old? she asked.

The big guns, he said.

When he vanished into the outside hallway, she pressed her yellow robe to her body and peered from the apartment with a sheepish stare.

No big guns and you can come to the interview with me, she said.

He came closer when he realized she had an interview.

Where is it? he asked.

3

Never do anything local or insignificant 

― Sunday Adelaja

Centre Port

Centre was a city of over 230,000 citizens that rested near waters. With a population of over 200,000 humans and 30,000 OWAS it was a place of vibrant colors and floating vehicles.

After cataclysmic weather events decimated the humans in 2025 Centre was slow in rebuilding what was left of their former lives, but with help from OWAS who used its ports for trade, Centre saw a spike in commerce in 2050.

With the United States in shambles and democracy only practiced in small areas an army who believed the United States Constitution must be accepted, or face retribution, battled with Pennsylvanians who believed not in forced acceptance.

The Constitutionalists (as they were called or TC) were driven from certain parts of Pennsylvania and this laid the ground for other factions to move in, namely Agitators for a New World or A4NW, who believed in the OWAS’ complete annihilation.

This caused a stalemate to transpire over land rights that lasted for generations.

As Chelsea sat in her green air car near Matthews Run, she looked at her blue via-phone on her wrist and knew she was thirty minutes early.

Her brother, Ebon sat in the passenger seat and looked about as if he was security. Behind him sat Tiffany, Ebon’s girlfriend who just turned 50-years-of-age. She played with her nails in assorted colors and sizes through an electronic pin.

I am losing memory on my pin, she said, irritated.

Then, stop using it, Ebon said, also irritated.

She sat back and crossed her brown arms across her small chest. Her dark green robe flowed over her small frame. Chelsea’s brother Stewart, now 32-years-of-age leaned forward and tapped Chelsea on the shoulder. She turned to him, irritated.

What? she asked.

How long are we going to sit here? he asked.

I have an appointment in twenty-five minutes. I am about to leave the car ten minutes early for my appointment. When I leave you can catch lunch and I will text you to pick me up, she said.

We are not going anywhere. We can catch lunch here, Ebon said.

They all stared at him, puzzled.

What do you think they are going to do to her? It’s just an appointment for a job, Stewart said.

Shut your pie hole, dimwit. What do you know about these rough people? It could be a trap, Ebon said.

"I’m going to my appointment very early," Chelsea said.

When she left the car in a huff a black, sleek land vehicle almost rolled her over, but she raised her hand and ignored the cars that honked.

She’s going to get herself killed walking in traffic like that, Stewart said.

Ebon leaned forward and touched a button below the panel and its windows were dimmed. Stewart’s eyes widened, surprised the car could do that.

All cars can do that, except the first air car model .0001, Ebon said.

When Ebon leaned forward, he produced a thin, long object that made the way clear to see through the car and across the street.

What the hell? Stewart asked.

Can see through objects with ease, Ebon said.

Like they don’t know you are watching them, Tiffany said.

Ebon stopped for a moment, peered at Tiffany, and realized she was right.

Rough Men International was a blue-tinted glass building of four stories. It had gray bricks for a structure that gave it an ominous look from a distance.

As Chelsea walked closer air cars that hovered 20 feet above her made bee sounds that resembled a massive swarm. She trembled to think if she was caught in a massive swarm of bees. She wondered where she would run.

As she walked to the black doors, they slid open automatically with a hiss. It was a well-lit office and a female fuman receptionist with a dark complexion smiled and her gray eyes sparkled from overhead lights.

I have an appointment with Lucius Land, Chelsea said.

Yes, he is expecting you. You can take a seat and he will be with you shortly, the receptionist smiled white, even teeth.

Thanks, Chelsea turned and noticed four citizens sitting in brown lounge chairs.

There is coffee and sodas to your right, the receptionist said.

Chelsea thanked her and retrieved a soda in a metal cup poured by a floating robot with wild looking metallic hair, a small face, and prominent eyes (sometimes called floaters). Chelsea carefully sat and looked around her as she drank the soda.

She noticed four individuals who appeared to be OWAS (Other Worldly Aliens). They stared at her intently and she nodded at them and peered into her soda as nervous tension moved through her body.

This is boring as shit, Tiffany said.

Tell me about it, Ebon said.

We must look out for our sister. Can’t let her fall to the rough people, Stewart said.

Tiffany stared in amazement at Stewart as he fiddled with his long blue electronic phone.

What do you think will happen to her? These are the rough people. They were sent by the Ancients to help us, the humans. They are our allies, remember? she asked.

They are still OWAS, Ebon said.

We all know OWAS can’t be trusted, Stewart said matter-of-factly.

Tiffany was shocked and angered. She stared from one to another before she touched a button and the door slid up with a hiss. Ebon turned around, confused.

What the hell are you doing? Ebon asked.

Leaving, I can’t listen to this racist shit any longer, she said.

When she stood from the car the door hissed closed. Ebon sighed deeply and turned to his brother.

"What are you looking at me for? She is your girlfriend," Stewart said.

If you weren’t my brother, I would beat you about the head, Ebon said.

What? You agreed with me, Stewart said.

Not to that extent, Ebon said.

He sighed deeply and touched a button so that his door hissed open, and he gestured for Tiffany to move closer for a hug. She refused and crossed her arms, defiant.

Chelsea peered at her long black phone and noticed it was time for her appointment. A small fuman with blue robes and black boots stared at her. She faintly smiled at him and turned her eyes elsewhere.

Don’t you hate it when others stare at you long and hard? the fuman said.

Chelsea smiled faintly and agreed with a nod but stared directly at him.

Can’t stop others from doing what they are going to do, she said.

I agree, but it is most unnerving, the staring, he said.

She then noticed the