Carol Danvers, Nova Prime of the interstellar Nova Corps, stood at the head of her war room, hands braced on the edge of a galactic holo-table. Around her gathered the galaxy's most powerful heroes, the Supernova Special Force, each adorned in a gleaming black Nova helmet and fitting suit, emblazoned with the star of Xandar. The holo-table projected a three-dimensional map of the besieged star systems, bright red spheres marking worlds fallen to the Corpus invasion. Red lines indicated Nova Corps fleets in position. Carol's eyes, usually burning with binary energy, were steady and sharp as she surveyed her team. In this universe, Earth's greatest champions were not mere heroes of earth but were full-fledged Nova operatives, and tonight they would fight a war of incredible scale.
"Alright, listen up," Carol announced, her voice clear and authoritative. With a gesture, she highlighted the primary target, Galor IV, a Corpus-controlled planet at the heart of the contested sector. "The Corpus have fortified this planet with a shield network that is preventing the use of the Nova Force and most of our powers. They've already taken three neighbouring systems using this tech. We will not let them take another." Around the table, faces tightened at the mention of the new tech. Doctor Strange's cloak fluttered uneasily as he exchanged a wary glance with Scarlet Witch, the mystics knew the Void was a dangerous unknown they had rarely faced before and till now, the only response they knew was escaping, which was not possible in their home universe. Thor's hand gripped Mjölnir, Steve shifted his weight, expression uneasy beneath the black helmet, as he had not fought without any powers since the second word war.
Carol keyed a command and the holo-image zoomed in on Galor IV. A field of energy shields shimmered over the planet's surface. "Galor IV's primary shield generator is here," she explained, pointing to a fortress-like structure on the planet's largest continent. "This generator projects a nullification field that dampens all Nova energy and superhuman abilities in its radius. That's why our forces haven't been able to retake the planet, our usual advantages are gone the moment we set foot on the ground." Around the table, the heroes listened intently. Starks faceplate was open, and Tony stroked his chin thoughtfully at the schematic, while again thinking about the sleepless nights he had, talking to Dr. Strange about the thing the wizards of the Nova-academies called "Void-Energy", while King Tchalla folded his arms, Even Dr. Banners, better known as Dr. Hulk, looming at the back, furrowing his brows in concentration at Carol's words.
"Our mission," Carol continued, "is a multipronged assault to take down that shield and liberate Galor IV. We hit them on three fronts." She raised three fingers and nodded to her teammates in turn. "Alpha Team, ground assault on the main shield generator. That's the hardest target, and I'll lead that team." She looked toward the cluster of heroes best suited for brutal close-quarters fighting. Immediately, Thor stepped forward with a firm nod, the dim war room light gleaming off his helmet. Dr. Banner grumbled in approval, cracking his green knuckles inside his gamma gloves, Steve strapped his vibranium shield harder, while Gamora gave Carol a confident smirk. Carol met each of their eyes in pride, happy about the people of her home planet being so good Team players. "We'll drop right on the generator's doorstep, under their guns. Remember, we've got no Nova Force, and no other fancy powers, we fight with what we carry and what's in here," she said, tapping her temple. "Tactics and teamwork." At that, Steve chimed in quietly, "We've done this the hard way before. We'll do it again." There were nods and a few determined smiles around the table.
"Beta Team, infiltration and sabotage," Carol continued, turning to the next group. "They have secondary shield emitters and anti-aircraft batteries around the planet. We take those out to weaken the primary shield and to cover Alpha Team's advance." For this covert assignment, Black Widow, would have been ideal, but she wasn't around the sector as the alert came online, so instead, T'Challa volunteered, "Our stealth tech will hopefully get me close, and my claws will do the rest." Carol inclined her head. "Take Parker and Rocket with you. Peter, you'll be the scout and the early warn system as soon as the generators are down, Rocket, you take the charges." Peter gave a brisk salute, attempting a bit of levity. "Spider-Nova, infiltration division, at your service!" he quipped, the lenses of his mask narrowing with a grin beneath the black Nova helmet he'd customized with a web pattern, while Rocket hefted a cylindrical explosive onto his shoulder and grinning toothily. Carol managed a small smile at their banter, appreciating the morale boost in these grim circumstances.
"Gamma Team, space assault," Carol said, pointing to the holo where a cluster of red enemy ships orbited Galor IV. "While we hit the ground, Gamma Team will engage the Corpus fleet in space, outside the shield generators, and draw their fire. Keep them off our backs and take out their command ship if possible." Here, the heavy hitters of the team stepped up. The Silver Surfer's eyes glinted as he nodded, his surfboard already hovering at his side. Beside him, Hyperion, cracked his neck, golden eyes eager behind his helmet. "Let them come," Hyperion rumbled, "They'll find out what a Supernova can do." Iron Man clapped Hyperion's shoulder, his own confidence evident. Tony's Mark-50 Novabuster-armor had been specially modified for this battle, even if his repulsors were weakened by the null-field when too close, in space he'd be fully functional. "Surfer, Hyperion, you're with me," Stark said, itching to pay the tech-obsessed Corpus back for the trouble they'd caused him, and maybe also steal some tech.
Carol surveyed the room one last time, ensuring every team and member was set. Doctor Strange and Scarlet Witch stood together, outside the formal team assignments. Their mystical abilities would be hamstrung by the Void tech, but they had a crucial role as well. "Stephen, Wanda, I need you two on standby from orbit. If that shield drops even for a second, hit the Corpus with everything big you've got, you've got my permission to pull as much energy from the Nova-Force as you need for your biggest spells, or be ready to extract our people if things go south." Strange nodded his head slightly, while answering happily "We shall be prepared, Nova Prime," he affirmed, voice measured. Wanda's red hair spilled out around the edges of her helmet, and she placed a hand on Strange's arm, nodding in agreement. "Be careful down there, Carol," she said softly, eyes on her and the others heading into the null zone. Carol gave the Scarlet Witch a firm nod. "We will. Stand by for further commands."
The Nova Corps war room vibrated as distant explosions from space shook the capital ship's hull, a stark reminder that the battle had already begun elsewhere. Carol drew herself up to full height, in her black and gold Nova uniform, with he Nega-Bands gleaming on her wrists. "This is it, people. We stand with the Nova Corps, the Corps stands with the galaxy. The Corpus think their power makes them untouchable. Tonight, we prove them wrong." She reached up and tapped the side of her sleek black helmet. The faceplate slid over her determined eyes, and the HUD lit up with tactical readouts. One by one, the heroes around the table donned their own helmets, armor sealing and systems humming, ready for the vacuum of space.
"Supernovas," Carol called out, raising a fist. "Let's bring the fight to them. For Xandar, for the Corps, for the galaxy!" A rousing cheer answered her, overshadowed by Thor's booming voice. The heroes broke from the table, each heading to their launch stations. Carol allowed herself one final glance at the holo-image of Galor IV, silently vowing to free the countless lives under Corpus enslaved there. Then Nova Prime strode out behind her team, the war room's doors whirring open to reveal the flight deck's bustle. The operation was on.
Moments later, multiple sleek drop-ships launched from the Nova Corps capital cruiser in low orbit, while the others, positioned in Space, went to their own battlefields.
Carol's Alpha Team was crammed into the Assault Shuttle Andromeda, a stout craft modified for combat drops. The interior shook as they hit the atmosphere, turbulence and flak made the metal hull rattle like a drum. Carol stood near the cockpit, holding an overhead strap for balance, while scanning a holographic wrist display tied into the shuttle's sensors. "T-minus two minutes to LZ," came the pilot's voice over the comm. Through the front viewports, Carol glimpsed a dark sky lit by streaks of plasma fire. The Corpus anti-aircraft batteries on the surface were already tracking them, spitting hot lances of energy upward. The shuttle jinked hard to the left and a bright lance of plasma sizzled past, narrowly missing. Inside the troop bay, everyone braced as the ship lurched.
Steve was beside Carol, one arm looped through a strap. In the shaky red glow of the cabin's emergency lights, his face was calm. "Just like old times, dropping into the thick of it," he said, flashing Carol a brief, encouraging smile. She returned the smile behind her helmet's visor. "I'll try to land us a little softer than in 1944," Carol quipped. Steve chuckled. In Beta Teams shuttle, Peter secured his guns and quipped over the comms, "I don't know about you guys, but this is my first drop from orbit. My spider sense is doing cartwheels." Despite his joking tone, a bead of sweat trickled down Peter's brow. T'Challa placed a steady hand on Spider-Man's shoulder. "Stay focused, son. We've got you." his voice was low and reassuring, even as he magnetically locked his Nova-powered, Panther Habit armor into assault mode. Peter nodded, steadied by his trusted teammates' presence.
In a corner of Alpha Teams shuttle, Banner hunched with a scowl, one massive hand denting the metal bench he gripped, while remanences of his alter-ego made him not enjoy the tight confines or turbulent flights. "Hulk hated space turbulences," he growled under his breath, while looking apologetically at the soldier beside him, looking scared at the place next to his leg. Valkyrie grinned and patted his knee brashly. The Asgardian warrior-woman's braided hair swayed as the ship rocked. "Don't worry, big guy. Soon as we land, you can smash all you want," Valkyrie said, her tone half jest and half promise. Bruce merely grunted, but the prospect did seem to ease his agitation.
"Thirty seconds!" the pilot shouted. Immediately, Carol turned to her squad. "Lock and load, Supernovas!" she barked, as everyone took their weapons and clipped them to their backs. The cabin lights switched to green and a howling roar of wind and heat flooded in as atmosphere rushed past the ship's armor. They were coming in hot.
Rocket Raccoon, perched atop a stack of supply crates in his shuttle, whooped as he hefted an oversized plasma cannon nearly as tall as himself. "Let's light 'em up!" he snarled, baring sharp teeth. His adrenaline was palpable.
Iron Man's voice crackled over team comms, while he was flying escorts outside, weaving between the shuttles in space. "Watch yourselves, we've got automated flak drones in the air. I'm picking them off, but there's a lot, can't guarantee one or two to slipping past us!" Even as he spoke, a distant BOOM echoed, through the half-open ramp Carol saw a midair explosion blossom as one friendly drop-ship took a hit. A wash of sorrow tugged at her heart, Nova Corps troopers were on that ship, but she forced it down. Focus, this was War After all.
The Andromeda screamed lower through cloud cover. Now Carol could see the terrain of Galor IV spread out below under a twilight sky. The landscape was bleak, rocky plains scarred by craters and trench works. In the distance, a sprawling fortress complex bristled with spires and gun emplacements, the primary shield generator installation. Even from the air, the faint dome of shimmering energy was visible, like a distortion in the sky over the fortress. Alpha Team's target, Carol's eyes narrowed.