Apocalyptic Rebirth: With a repairman system space, she rises again.-Chapter 459: The elite dating agency.

Some people that were ready to scatter as Sunshine had ended the meeting suddenly found a reason to stay back. Major Elio even leaned back in his chair, eyes scanning the room from behind his sunglasses.

Hades meanwhile raised an eyebrow. "Before you reveal anything else Lisha, you are talking about the romantic kind of matchmaking, right?"

Lisha giggled. "What other kind of matchmaking is there?" She reached under the table and retrieved one of the posters that she had convinced Bob to borrow from Tracy’s office.

People gathered behind her as she unrolled it with flourish. It was brightly painted, absurdly glossy and clearly the work of someone that had hoarded too many marketing supplies.

The poster depicted Sunshine herself, smiling like she had just won the lottery. Fake icicles were floating from her mouth as the picture appeared to have been captured while she was in the midst of blowing a kiss. Behind her stood her husband, a man of immense strength.

It was obscenely obvious in his clothes that were gold colored and the large Rolex on his wrist and diamond chains around his neck. He was leaning against a stash of dollars; one arm wrapped around Sunshine’s waist.

Across the top of the poster blazed the words: "Apocalyptic Hearts: A Dating Agency for the super-rich and superhuman."

People stared. Ariel nearly dropped his papers. Hadrian muttered something about marauders laughing themselves to death before they beat Hades up for the Rolex and chains.

Sunshine pinched the bridge of her nose. "I am going to feed her to the watchers." she groaned. "She inflated my breasts!! I look like a bimbo."

"You mean an AV star." Hadrian said before chuckling in the company of Warren.

"And Hades looks like her pimp." Rori said in outrage.

Hades groaned. "Now I know why Tracy’s friends have been giggling whenever they meet me."

Major Elio looked at Nimo through his obvious smile. "Perhaps you should explain to us what Tracy Kingsley is thinking. I don’t think this exclusive dating agency of hers is going to work out as well as she expects."

Lisha cleared her throat. "According to Tracy, the apocalypse had robbed us of many things, and she will be damned if it robs us of love too. But not just any love. Elite love. Love the bonds the wealthy and powerful. In other words, the new world presents a new angle to alliance marriages, and she is determined to be at the forefront of it."

Warren nodded. "Marriage and commerce and big bucks. Now I understand her. She is looking to cash in on her abilities and other superhumans."

Dr. Choi groaned. "This is ridiculous. People are starving. They need food, not a dating agency."

Nimo held up a finger. "I said as much and Tracy said this. ’Poor people do not pay membership fees. Wealthy people do. And superhumans--they are the future. Imagine the children! Half fire, half gold, all profit."

People burst into laughter.

"And how much would this membership cost?" Hades asked.

Lisha beamed. "One million a year for the rich. For superhumans, prices differ according to strength and desirability. Of course, extra costs are charged for those seeking premium services."

Hadrian snorted. "Premium services! Is she planning to whore superhumans out or something?"

At the use of the word whore, some people turned to look at the priest.

Sunshine kept her eyes on the poster. Her own face stared back at her, donning more make up than she had ever dared to wear. Her smile was seductive, making her seem more.....she could not find a word for it except vixen like.

As for Hades, his muscles were grossly exaggerated by artistic license. He looked lifted weights for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

"Unbelievable." She muttered.

Lisha continued to laugh and explain Tracy’s choice of endorser. "Tracy said you two are the perfect example of elite-superhuman love. Hades is wealthy, you are powerful. Together, you are the unstoppable and powerful. Who better to represent the agency and inspire the masses?"

Ariel shuddered, "Mom, you look like you are advertising toothpaste in a disco era."

People chuckled. Even Father Nicodemus.

Before Sunshine could respond, a loud squawk echoed through the room. A window banged ad in tumbled Zulu. The parrot fell on the table and flapped desperately.

Father Nicodemus came to its rescue, setting it upright.

"I brought news Lisha." It squawked, "I know the superpowers that are most wanted."

Hades turned to Nimo. "Why is your parrot here?"

"She is not my parrot." Nimo replied. Then she forwarded that same question to Zulu. "I strictly told you to stay out of the committee meeting."

The parrot puffed out her chest. "But I come bearing news. I have turned over rocks and spoken to many of my secret sources. Tracy and her rich friends have graded the superhumans for their dating agency into classes.

Class includes those with superpowers they think are sexy and desirable. At the top of list is invisibility." It turned to Hadrian. "They must be after you."

Hadrian clenched his jaw. "Not going to happen."

Sunshine gently pulled on one of Zulu’s back feathers. "What other powers are they targeting and why? Tell me everything."

The parrot was all too happy to tattletale. "Invisibility is good for sneaking into vaults and other forbidden places. Olandria Morrison said it could be interesting in the bedroom."

People erupted in laughter.

"They want telepathy." Zulu continued. "It is good for cheating at poker. They want regeneration, it is good for forming new cells, new skin and beauty. Maybe even making beauty serums."

People were aghast.

"Sounds like they want powers that can be used for crime and vanity." Hades suggested.

Warren nodded. "I agree. Combat superpowers should be ranked higher than regeneration and telepathy. Do we even have a telepath on the base?"

Everyone shook their heads. No such superhuman had been seen on the base.

Dr. Choi was disgusted. "We need to shut this down before it creates resentment. The poor already hate some of the wealthy in the base. Add this and the hatred will triple. It is bad enough that they hoard supplies but to hoard love as well!"

"I agree." Sunshine said, "Not because of the hoarding thing but because I am not going to be the face of this absurdity. The Kingsley’s have used my image for publicity more than enough. Besides, I need superhumans focused on protecting the base, not selling themselves for profit."

Father Nicodemus who had remained silent through it all finally spoke. "Love is not commerce. It is not a product or a market stall. To take one of God’s greatest gifts and use it to bind hearts for wealth and superpowers cheapens it."

"And I am out." Zulu squawked. "No sermons for this parrot brother Nico."

Sunshine dismissed everyone and walked out hand in hand with Hades and Ariel, carrying the ridiculous poster. They continued to laugh over the absurdity.

"You know, if the rich want to spend money on invisibility, maybe you can research some kind of invisibility suit." Hades suggested.

Sunshine grinned. She could already imagine how much money that would fetch.

"Mom, would you rather know where the billionaires are all the time or make money on handing them the opportunity to walk through the base unseen?" Ariel quizzed.

It was like her head had taken a trip in an ice-cold lake. Sunshine woke up from her imagination. Not all money was meant to be made. "I definitely want to know where they are every day."

After they settled into the car, Ariel leaned against her, resting his head against her arm. "Mom," he said, "do you think people will really pay for love?

Sunshine sighed. "In this world, people will pay for anything."

A perfect example was their family. It had all started with a transaction.

And over the base, Zulu’s broadcast started. The parrot’s voice echoed as she started her show with a serious question. "Humans, how much are you willing to pay for love?"