[Location: Apokolips, Umbra.]

Red. The view was so red that tendrils of crimson light caressed the cityscape unlovingly.

“Drea, how long is the weather supposed to stay like this?”

“According to recent calculations… At least six more hours. A low-pressure system is approaching from the East.”

Goodness frowned.

“This changed from yesterday, yes?”

Steppenwolf hovered expectantly behind his associates, waiting for them to pause. He was ready to leave briefly after viewing Lashina’s plan for invading the Highfather’s palace. There was something he needed to do.

“Yes. It’s changed quite a bit…”

“Can we power through the storm system? How large is it? Turbulence is fine. Damage to the engines or-“

Against his better judgement, Steppenwolf left without formally being dismissed. He knew that this was a mistake, but stubbornness ceased control of his heart. A sphere of amniotic warmth burst upon exiting the bridge. Every other part of the Abysm was composed of snaking architecture. Its undulatory nature made one feel minuscule. Like a virus caught within predatory webs. Steppenwolf wandered towards an elevator, hoping his destination wasn’t too far away.

“What exactly do you think you’re doing?”

Steppenwolf jerked to a stop when the caustic question eroded his movement. Goodness stood just outside the bridge and she already looked furious. Fluorescent light poured out behind Goodness, backlighting her form explosively against the darkness ahead.

“I am… sorry.”

“Well, that’s unusual. Your attitude has been nothing but sore…” Goodness sighed. “…Tell me where you are going and why. We need you to cooperate if the invasion is to succeed, Steppenwolf.”

Steppenwolf stayed silent automatically. It was a reaction to the Queen’s berating tongue. But it wasn’t his sister that speaking.

Goodness delicately rubbed her temples.

“Look, Steppenwolf. I’m only going to tell you this once more. If you don’t start acting more appropriately you will be disciplined. And I really don’t want to send your remains back to Apokolips. That will inconvenience everyone.”

“One hour. I will come back in… one hour.”

Goodness clenched her teeth. But she then decided to plug her emotions, forcefully holding out a finger.

“One. Hour. Then come back here and focus.”

∞

“Why does it have to be so dark…”

Stellar ran her hands across the coarse bedsheets provided. She had been dumped off in her cabin after Lashina rushed through the boarding protocols. Stellar felt lonely. The emotion clawed inside her brain, backing normal perception into a corner. At least it was currently overriding any fear. Stellar’s eyes darted around her small room, soaking up every detail. A dim stretch of light circling the room’s perimeter. Sterile tile floor. Low buzzing from the ship itself.

What was the culture of New Genesis like?

It was drilled into all Apokoliptians that New Genesis was nothing but hostile towards Apokolips. They didn’t need to know anymore than that. Why would Apokoliptians desire information on a world preventing their planetary expansion? Generating satellites from other worlds could save Apokolips itself. Having civilians and elites spread across different worlds would ease the burden on Apokolips’ structural integrity.

But reality was kicking in.

Stellar felt the blood drain from her face. She had never been offworld. She-

“You really need to… turn on more lights in here.”

Stellar refused to look up, training her gaze on reflections scattered across the floor.

“…What are you doing here, Steppenwolf?”

“…”

“I’m not a child, you know.”

“You’re not?”

The quip got Stellar to lift her eyes in response and she laughed shortly, almost in disbelief. Steppenwolf stepped inside Stellar’s room, the door closing automatically behind him. Stellar decided not to ask where he acquired the passcode. He probably had access to every door on the Abysm. Stellar looked at Steppenwolf in his fractalized military uniform, feeling pathetic. He walked over and sat down by her side. She knew why he was here.

“…I am concerned about your tendency to overreact.”

Stellar averted her gaze again to focus on the shimmering mirror images on the floor. She wondered what it would be like if the floor shattered and she ended up on the other side. How different would that universe be?

“…If you don’t pay attention to orders, you will die. Do you understand what I am saying, Stellar?”

Stellar’s breath hitched. She whipped her head back towards Steppenwolf, hair frizzing around.

“They wouldn’t let that happen! I’m too important to this mission!”

Steppenwolf eyes widened in incredulity.

“You… didn’t really think you… were the only scientist on this mission, did you? Stellar, you’re not that important. There are many other scientists aboard. Your skillset can be put to use with… the others before we are in New Genesis’ orbit. We will then be able to see what kind of atmospheric defenses our… enemy has. If they have a web of satellites, spacegates…”

Stellar gripped the bedsheets, feeling her hands become icy. Steppenwolf was right, after all. She overestimated her role in the invasion because she hadn’t been able to pierce through her own nervous mixture of pride, fear, and anxiety. He was just being blunt to get the point across as usual.

“I feel so…”

Stellar felt a desperate grip on her shoulders.

“You may be insignificant to this mission. We all may be… expendable to the will of our world. But… you matter to me. Does that count for anything?”

Steppenwolf looked as if pressure dreams from the last thousand years would tear his composure in half.

“Live. Stay alive… please.”

Stellar could almost hear the phantom screams of the New Genesites. None of this was righteous.