When the Silver Surfer brazenly crossed Knowhere's fleet blockade and triggered blaring alarms, the Nova Corps had already entered its highest state of alert. Nova Prime, their leader, wore a grave expression, her eyes filled with deep concern.
The Nova Corps was thrown into even greater turmoil. Centurions hurried everywhere, mobilizing the fleets under their command. They could not even spare resources to support Xandar. Whether they were high-ranking officers on leave or rookie recruits who had just graduated, everyone received the Corps' summons at once.
In short, an atmosphere of extreme tension permeated the entire Nova Corps. Even when the Kree Empire had deployed its full forces and torn through the formidable defenses formed by Xandar's fleet, things had never reached this point.
Wearing a dark blue uniform and carrying herself with elegant poise, Nova Prime arrived at the headquarters building on Xandar. She had been discussing a ceasefire agreement between the Kree Empire and Xandar with Empress Lilandra of the Shi'ar Empire, but she had rushed back and now sat in the conference hall, waiting for the Centurions to assemble.
"Has the information been confirmed? By all accounts, that terrifying being should not have appeared at this time."
Centurion Roman Daye, who happened to be on leave, habitually rubbed his increasingly bald head, his tone full of disbelief.
"Roman is right. According to our calculations, the Planet Eater should still be dormant, or wandering through uninhabited planetary belts."
Another Centurion named Ademox nodded.
The instant he spoke that title, the conference hall fell silent. Every face bore traces of unease and fear.
The Planet Eater—an ancient lifeform, a cosmic-scale disaster.
According to the Nova Corps' archives, the Planet Eater had existed for so long that its origins could not be traced. Many claimed that this ancient being had