Below ground in the Creche Terminal, Warlock and Tyro watch its approach on a monitor. Meanwhile, the arrival of the Technarch has aggravated the transmode virus inside Nova who is only barely conscious. Warlock tries to convince Nova that they must flee but the young hero believes they must fight as long as they can. He also explains that he has the full Nova Force but it's no use to him as long as he has the virus.

Tyro agrees and insists on fighting his father. Realizing what he has to do, Warlock orders Tyro to flee into space as fast as he can and not look back. Tyro begins to argue but Warlock's command is final. Tyro reluctantly agrees and flies away.

With his adopted son safely away, the former New Mutant turns to his new friend and makes him promise to fight as long as he can so that Tyro can get further away. Rich Rider doesn't understand until Warlock puts his hand on his chest. As the Technarch breaks through the terminal, the last bit of lifeglow leaves Warlock into Nova and the artificial lifeform goes dark.

With a terrific burst of pure raw power, Nova blasts the Technarch all the way back to the planet's surface! Warlock's sacrifice has cleansed the virus completely from his body and he's back to full power! With a renewed vigor, Nova attacks the Technarch and fights with full fury. The human rocket knocks the mechanical monster to the ground and unleashed full gravimetric blasts at it. As Rich Rider continues his onslaught, the WorldMind reminds him that they can't hope to defeat the entity and should leave while they can. Nova refuses and tells the artificial sentience that he made a promise and he will keep it.

After the Technarch regrows its destroyed arm, Rich realizes that maybe its time to lead it away from Kvch and Tyro. As he begins to head towards the edge of the atmosphere, Nova sees Tyro racing towards its siredam/father! Tyro is fighting for pride without realizing the sacrifice Warlock made so he could get to safety. Warlock's fears are well-founded as the Technarch grabs its offspring and easily tears it him in half and swallows the shattered parts!

As Nova rushes to avenge his lost allies, the Technarch suddenly explodes from within! The WorldMind's scans also show that the monster's techno-organic code is being rewritten from the inside. Without warning, the Technarch begins speaking to Nova in Tyro's voice! He explains that the mutated transmode virus he was given by Warlock years ago allowed him to override the Technarch's personality. Tyro's plan worked as the original personality was destroyed leaving him in control of the body and its reserves of lifeglow.

Twenty-four minutes later, Nova brings the lifeless body of Warlock to Tyro. The younger Technarch transfers a part of his lifeglow to his adoptive father and revives him! Rich Rider is happy to introduce Warlock to the new Tyro and asks Tyro for a favor. With his lifeglow reserves, Tyro agrees and cures Gamora and Drax of the transmode virus.

While Drax is grateful to Rich, Gamora is shocked and saddened by the loss of the Phalanx. Nova tells her that she will be fine and that they all have a mission to finish. Joined by Warlock and Tyro, the group begins planning their fight to save the Kree Empire from the Phalanx!

Story concludes in Annihilation: Conquest #6