Up to this point, the system still hadn't made a single move.
And since the system was quiet, Alex was quiet as well.
He continued to wait patiently.
Based on his long experience with the system's habits, Alex felt that the probability of a mission being issued this time was actually very high.
As for why nothing had happened yet—
Perhaps it was because Darkseid hadn't appeared in person.
After a brief moment of thought, Alex didn't waste any time. He immediately activated his super perception and conducted a global sweep.
Sure enough, there was no trace of Darkseid anywhere.
From the Parademons' sudden assault on Metropolis, to the complete defeat of the superheroes, from start to finish, the only one who had come from Apokolips was DeSaad.
Darkseid himself had never shown his face.
Was Darkseid really planning to conquer Earth relying solely on DeSaad?
That was obviously unrealistic.
The recent battle had looked brutal, but the Parademons had only attacked Metropolis—nothing more.
That level of force was nowhere near enough to support a global invasion.
In fact, even attacking a single country, or several cities at once, would be stretching it.
After all, although humanity's strength and weapons were inferior to those of the Parademons, humans had numbers—far more than the Parademons.
Even ants could eventually wear down an elephant.
And after capturing the Justice League and Superman, DeSaad hadn't ordered the Parademons to continue their assault. Instead, he withdrew them all.
Clearly—
Just like Alex suspected, DeSaad never intended to rely on such a small force to accomplish Darkseid's grand ambitions.
From everything so far, DeSaad's actions looked more like they were specifically aimed at removing troublesome superheroes.
Nothing more.
So what would DeSaad do next?
Would he attempt to seize the Mother Boxes again?
Alex couldn't be sure.
But if DeSaad really chose to do that, Earth would be completely unable to stop him.
They couldn't even withstand Steppenwolf, who was weaker than DeSaad—let alone DeSaad himself, especially now that all the major heroes had been captured.
Still, Alex wasn't particularly concerned about any of this.
He quickly withdrew his attention, shifted his body, stepped onto his invisible surfboard, and tore through the air—leaving the "tragic" city of Metropolis behind.
Instead, he went to other cities that were still completely intact, continuing his leisurely sightseeing.
---
"Move!"
"Hurry up!"
Like Steppenwolf before him, DeSaad quickly chose a hidden location. Using the transported warship as a foundation and Apokoliptian technology, he rapidly established a secret base.
The captured superheroes—restrained by specialized bindings—were shoved inside roughly by DeSaad's forces.
One cell per person. The "hospitality" was impeccable.
At the same time, DeSaad didn't sit idle.
He immediately began a new series of operations.
Just as Alex had guessed, DeSaad resumed his search for the Mother Boxes, pouring vast resources into the effort.
Unfortunately for him, after the lesson learned from Steppenwolf's failure, the Justice League had become far more cautious.
They had hidden the Mother Box with extreme secrecy.
That's right—
They had indeed placed the Mother Box where it "belonged," but this "right place" was no longer its original storage location.
Facts had proven that the original site simply wasn't safe enough.
As a result, the Justice League had implemented an upgraded containment strategy.
After an extensive investigation, DeSaad found no meaningful leads.
Or rather, the only thing he confirmed was that after Steppenwolf's defeat, the Mother Box had been taken by the very people now standing before him.
"Where is the Mother Box? Speak!"
"Whoever tells me will be spared!"
DeSaad subjected the Justice League to merciless interrogation.
But—
Every member of the Justice League was unyielding.
No one broke.
Even Batman—just a mortal with the most fragile body among them—never gave in.
DeSaad gained absolutely nothing of value from them.
"You think I have no options left?"
"I told you—I always prepare for contingencies."
"The Mother Box was Plan A, but I always have a Plan B."
"You hid it well. Your mouths are tight. Very good."
"But you'll soon see that it makes no difference."
"Next, I will initiate Plan B."
"I'll let you witness with your own eyes how my master claims this planet!"
After delivering those words, DeSaad truly abandoned the interrogation.
Instead, he began transporting unfamiliar devices through the portals—objects no one on Earth could comprehend.
He selected three locations across the globe and began constructing three enormous, incomprehensible, yet overwhelmingly imposing bases.
Once all three bases were completed—
Buzz!
Each of them erupted with blinding light, terrifying energy fluctuations rippling outward.
Even worse—
The light from the three bases linked together.
A colossal portal opened.
The portal was over thirty kilometers wide, so massive it seemed to blot out the sky above entire cities.
The sight alone was enough to make one's blood run cold.
This—
This was the real reason DeSaad had arrived on Earth first.
He had come to establish a planetary transmission network, allowing Darkseid's armies to be transported directly to Earth.
After all, Apokolips and Earth were separate planets, separated by unimaginable distances.
Even with Apokoliptian technology, large-scale instant transportation was impossible.
At best, they could only send over limited forces—like the ones DeSaad had brought earlier.
But now—
Darkseid could send his entire army.
"DeSaad, you have done well."
Beyond the portal lay Darkseid's vast and majestic throne room.
Seated upon his throne, Darkseid glanced through the portal at the city on the other side.
A satisfied smile appeared on his face.
Then—
Without any further delay, Darkseid rose from his throne.
His massive body levitated effortlessly as he moved toward the portal.
In a single motion, he passed through it—
And descended upon Earth.
"My lord, I have awaited your arrival."
DeSaad knelt on one knee, leading a group of Destroyers in welcoming their master.
"DeSaad," Darkseid said calmly,
"let us take this planet into our hands."
His tone was casual, as though he were discussing something utterly trivial.
"Of course, my lord."
DeSaad responded immediately, rising to his feet.
Whoosh—whoosh—whoosh!
As they spoke, an endless tide of Parademons poured through the massive portal behind them.
They filled the sky.
Blotting out the heavens.
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