"While it would be difficult to do so, it is possible. But think about it. Would you choose a being who can only relieve you of physical cravings or a being who gives you control over the world."
Astra's question hang in the balance, reminding everyone of how truly powerful sh was.
Excusing himself, Rudy left the hall and went to the kitchen area.
"Astra. What the hell was that for. That isn't like you. Do you have a virus or bug or something."
"Young master. Surely you jest. Do you not have faith in your masterpiece which is I. I am immune to all corruptions which affect my imperfect counterparts." Astra laughed into his earbud.
"I know. But your unique attitude to Megan has left me questioning myself and my genius. Wondering where I went wrong." Rudy lamented.
"Sorry for worrying you young master, but I believe that any woman who wants to stand at your side must be worthy of doing so. They must reach there by virtue of merit and not solely because of their physical attributes which ignite lust in you."
"I know I won't stand by your side in the way that they will, but I at least want to make sure that whoever does so is competent."
" Astra, I. *sigh* Okay, but wait what do you mean they."
"Hehehe. It's quite simple young master. Based on my extensive knowledge of novels and comics, the path that this apocalypse is following would leave everyone dead before being reborn by some egoistic higher being who just wants to flaunt his power. After that he/ she would pretend to groom everyone out of kindness before sending them off to some holy war. This is the second conclusion I've come to."
"Oh yeah, and what is the first." Rudy asked after hearing Astra's absurd conclusion. 'I knew I should have restricted her love for novels.*sigh*"
"The first and most likely one is that Aurth is about to join some galactic federation of some sort which is ruled by ancient angels and demons who are using this period to pick suitable warriors to be trained. Why else would everyone be given a sin and a virtue, after all." Astra reasoned.
"Though the young master should know that these are the top positive scenarios for the survival of humankind. The true top analysis is that humanity might have offended some higher being by accident and so the said being is torturing you guys as entertainment for him."
"Hah, I see. Welp worrying about a problem never solves it so I'm just gonna focus on survival for now." Rudy stated as he left the kitchen, taking two sodas along.
"Sorry for the wait guys, just talking with Astra." Rudy announced as he approached his seat.
Megan got up and sat back down on him, accepting the soda he gifted her.
"Yo bro where's mine. How come she gets one and I don't." *Bonk*
Carol bonked her son on the head using her trusty wooden bat to shut him up.
"Last time I checked Tim, you still had fully functioning legs. Heck, you can even teleport or ask Astra to bring you some." Rudy said, relishing the sweet taste as he took a sip.
"Hey Astra, could you bring me a soda." Timothy asked.
"Unfortunately I do not serve impolite brats. Also you don't have the clearance level to order me around." Astra savagely dashed the hope Timothy had been building.
"Figures." Timothy was forced to teleport to the kitchen and take his own beverage.
He returned with 4 extra bottles.
Two bottles of water and two bottles of soda, for both his parents to choose from.
Clearly he was a good son who didn't have to be motivated by the sight of the wooden bat in his mom's hand.
Seeing that everyone was set, Astra displayed the information she had about the Category S being, Frederick West.
She decided to read it to the group, to speed up the information sharing.
"Frederick West, the newest Category S member is based in Delaware. His past is that of a privileged kid whose mother died 4 years ago, a year before their father, leaving he and his older sister to fend for themselves."
Alex shot a discreet look at Rudy, he being the only human in the room who knew how close to home it hit for Rudy.
"Data gathered shows that Frederick and Carla's only other relative, their paternal uncle Theodore West had sacked them from their own home. The kids, being sheltered ones were forced to face the harsh reality of life unprepared, luckily for them, Carla's boyfriend, Brian Duht lived nearby."
"Based on the tiny clips of information gained by hacking into their home security system, Frederick was being maltreated by Brian with Carla ignoring it and giving the excuse of brotherly bonding whenever her brother reported it to her."
"One day the couple got up and left Frederick alone in the house after taking anything remotely valuable. They travelled to France and Frederick was forced to get a minimum wage job as a loading boy in order to survive."
"He was clasified as a Category F being with a life expectancy of 5 to 10 years, pre- Apocalypse that is."
"On the day of the Apocalypse, he was evicted from the house he was staying in, that is Britain's old house, and was once again forced to look for a new home with the money he had saved up."
"He was kidnapped and forced into a black van when he was then transported to his original home. There he met his uncle who had actually made a deal with the gang that kidnapped him in order to extort him of his money."
"The following footage shows the talk with his uncle captured from nearby surveillance cameras as well as phone cameras. It's not for the weak hearted since it contains some very graphic scenes."
With sufficient warning given, Astra began playing the video, starting from the moment he was standing before his uncle in the mansion- turned crackhouse.