Another result of the energy wave is the WorldMind's artificial intelligence system is knocked offline and the system's gestalt must reboot. Nova expresses his concern for the WorldMind but acts differently after the sentient computer is back online so it won't know of his feelings. The two try to figure out what the energy wave was but can't find any immediate answers. However, the WorldMind found that the Sentry's primary CPU was infected by a highly aggressive viral program. Before they can continue their search for information, a squad of eight Kree Sentries instantly appear and begin attacking Nova!

The young hero tells the WorldMind to double the front gravimetric fields, route tactical information to his visor and allow the main Nova Force to both hands. The artificial intelligence informs Rich that the virus has begun an attempt to infect it. In order to fight the invading program, the WorldMind must use 20% of the Nova Force which will then not be available to its human host. As the two each fight their battles, the Sentries find they have no chance of victory. As Nova quickly destroys them, the WorldMind is able to fight off the virus and completes its analysis. It orders Nova to leave the sector immediately as they are in grave danger! The sentient system tells his human host that the virus is a form of the Transmode Technophage belonging to the Phalanx.

Elsewhere, Nova is being scanned by the Phalanx and is recognized as an Earth human possessing Threat-Alpha power levels. After witnessing the young hero smash his way through the eight Sentries, the Phalanx seek tactical advise from their newest ally, Gamora. Gamora is one of the Phalanx elite drones called Selects which allows her to retain some of her independent thought while being completely loyal to the Phalanx. Nova's former lover informs her controllers that it will take much more than eight Sentries to stop the Earthman. Gamora requests control of the teleporters and 100 Sentries in order to coordinate an all-out attack on Nova!

Back in orbit around Hala, Nova is being briefed on the Phalanx, their background and their capabilities through his visor via the WorldMind. Rich is told that the Phalanx is an aggressive techno-organic life form who are carriers of a virus that infects both machines and living organisms. Once infected, the Phalanx takes over and feeds off the host until all its resources are depleted. Nova and the WorldMind quickly realize that the entire planet of Hala has been conquered. However, the two begin arguing on the next course of action. Rich Rider wants to fight and the WorldMind believes they should retreat and find help from other worlds. The living computer eventually gives in and looks for the Phalanx's weak spot. Homing in on the Phalanx's Tower Spire as its weak point, Nova heads towards it only to find himself attacked by Gamora's one hundred Sentries!

Elsewhere, Gamora continues coordinating the attack and realizes Rich is being hurt by the overwhelming numbers. In order to prevent Nova's escape, she takes direct control of the teleporters and blocks his routes with Sentries. As the human rocket finds himself under continuous attack, he urgently decides the only way to escape is to open a StarGate. The WorldMind quickly computes an exit course as Nova opens the gravimetric portal. As the hero escapes, the force of the StarGate's vortex annihilates the entire squad of attacking Sentries! Gamora decides to change her tactics as the Phalanx decides that Rich Rider would make a powerful Select. She requests the Phalanx form a Select Hunt-Cadre which she'll need in order to capture Nova.

In the StarGate's corridor, Nova asks the WorldMind to bring the Heal and Repair subsystems online. Rich realizes he needs to deputize others to help fight the Phalanx. Suddenly, the artificial sentient computer detects an immense actinic field around Kree space and they must abort the StarGate immediately! Although Nova disengages the vortex, the WorldMind calculates it will take two parsecs before they jump back into real space. However, the energy field blocks their way and Rich Rider has a violent collision with the Phalanx's barracade!

Meanwhile, on the Kree outworld colony of Drez-Lar, the light cruiser Spirit of Supremor has been home to 102 Kree soldiers who survived the ship's crash-landing after being attacked during the Annihilation War. Despite the odds, they have survived due to the leadership of Ko-Rel, a stellar captain who is specialized in Battlefield Medicine. Ko-Rel continues her daily routine of sending an emergency message to any ship that may be nearby. She also takes a moment to look at a holgraphic display of her son Zam.

Suddenly in the distance, a flaming meteor blazes across the sky and crashes into the ground with a thunderous explosion. Ko-Rel and her team quickly don their space suits and head towards the crash site. When they arrive, the female leader climbs into the crater and finds the extremely burnt and severely damaged body of Nova. As Ko-Rel gets closer, Rich Rider links their minds together and he tells her that she must continue the fight for him. Suddenly, a sliver of the Nova Force transfers from the Earthman to the young Kree captain with a tremendous burst of energy! As the energy dims, Ko-Rel finds herself transformed into a Nova Centurion!