New Gods #18

Orion, Jezebelle Of The Fiery Eyes, and Forager narrowly escape an explosion. As Desaad's old Happy Land Headquarters goes up in flames behind them, the trio contact Izaya. The High-Father of the New Gods reveals that the Source Wall has been destroyed, and that their link to the Source, and their power, has been severed. His power lost, Izaya speaks as one beaten. The trio separate, and return to their posts, to protect their human charges from Darkseid. Izaya, speaking with young Lucifar, confirms that their power comes from the Source. On Apokolips, Darkseid readies his forces for invasion. Desaad delivers another portion of the Anti-Life Equation, culled from Brigadier General Maxwell Torch's mind, to Darkseid. Izaya attempts to explain the Source to Lucifar. His explanation covers the "Great Clash" between New Genesis and Apokolips, his discovery of the Source Wall, and the pact he struck with Darkseid to end the war. It was a war that never really ended. A war that, even now, heats up anew. Darkseid sends his forces to Earth, through four Boom Tubes, to collect the four humans whose minds hold the final pieces of the Anti-Life Equation. Brola is sent to New Orleans to abduct Lorraine Hampton, but finds her apartment empty. Kalibak journeys to San Francisco to seize Richard Roe, but finds his abode empty, as well. In Metropolis, Bane finds Dave Lincoln's apartment deserted.

Titan's Rune Rod detects the fading energies of three Boom Tubes, outside of the scientific complex known only as "The Project". Clearly, the New Gods have gathered all four humans to that location, where they plan to make their last stand. Darkseid re-routes all of his forces to "The Project". Titan smashes into "The Project", ushering in a battle of epic proportions. Though given pause by the fantastic nature of the soldiers of Apokolips, the Marines guarding "The Project" join the fight, giving as good as they get. Forager attacks, knocking Bane to the floor. Bane feigns being stunned, giving himself time to shine a crystal on Hampton, Lincoln, Roe, and Donald Bradford. Metron snatches the crystal from Bane's hand, then strikes him down. Orion squares off against his half-brother, Kalibak, and, as usual, triumphs. Jezebelle Of The Fiery Eyes takes out Brola. Lightray collapses the room down upon Titan. The New Gods, alongside the Marines, stand on the precipice of a great victory over the forces of Darkseid. A victory that turns to ashes when Metron reveals that Hampton, Lincoln, Roe and Bradford are gone. The crystal that Bane shone upon them teleported them to Apokolips, leaving a holographic decoy in their place. Orion vows to carry the fight directly to Darkseid, on Apokolips.