As they argue, Nova has the idea of using one of Galactus's energy syphon tubes connecting the planet to the devourer's ship. After having the WorldMind generate a maximum gravimetric shield around him, Nova flies through the side of the nearest syphon and heads towards the home of Galactus. However, the energy flowing through the tube is too strong and the shield begins to fail! Suddenly, the WorldMind becomes overloaded by the force and the electromagnetic disruption knocks him completely off-line!

Meanwhile, Orbucen has reached the end of its existence and erupts in an explosion of energy! The energy is transferred to storage reservoirs in the massive ship. The young Earthman uses all of his remaining Nova Force to break out of the syphon! He richocets through a part of Galactus's ship and finally crashes to the floor unconscious. When he regains consciousness, Nova attempts to contact the WorldMind only to hear a new voice respond to his question!

Rich discovers that, with the WorldMind gone, his uniform's "Centurion Suit User Support System" has come online. Nova asks the system to repair his uniform and locate the WorldMind. The CSUSS promptly fixes the uniform but informs Rich that his other request is not an available option. After a series of questions, Rich Rider figures out that the CSUSS is a limited backup system to the WorldMind. Nova has the system do a scan of lifeforms on the ship. He is stunned to hear that Harrow has been detected! The CSUSS feeds the coordinates to Nova's visor and the young hero flies off to find his enemy.

Reaching the target area, Nova discovers the true form of Harrow and is disgusted by what he sees. Harrow's dark insectoid-like, winged body has clawed appendages with a gruesome set of eyes and gaping mouth inhabiting his chest. The evil alien attacks Nova's mind as the Earthman raises his helmet's anti-psi protocols! The countermeasures fail as Rich is too close to Harrow's physical form to provide enough protection.

While their minds are joined, Nova discovers that Harrow has existed for centuries on fear and terror. However, it was during the Trial of Galactus years ago that Harrow found the perfect host in the planet devourer. He stowed away on Galactus's ship and has remained hidden using his Cone of Psilence ability to escape detection.

Nova's strong will and determination allows him to break off Harrow's attack and he fights back with a full energy blast! The two begin a fierce battle across Galactus's ship with Nova determined to reveal Harow's existence to Galactus. Suddenly, their fight is interrupted by a burst of the power cosmic from Galactus's herald, the Silver Surfer! The Surfer is disappointed to see Nova again after he had helped him save the inhabitants of Orbucen. The human rocket tells the silver herald that he couldn't leave due to the actions of Harrow. The Silver Surfer reads the mind of Harrow and, like Nova, is repulsed by what he learns. The herald of the planet destroyer removes the parasite's Cone of Psilence thus revealing Harrow to the herald's master!

In a burst of pure energy from Galactus, Harrow is destroyed! The planet devourer then turns his gaze upon Nova and the last Centurion is convinced he is next to be incinerated. However, Nova opens his eyes to find himself, along with the Silver Surfer, five light years away from Galactus's vessel! The silvery herald informs Nova that Galactus does not lack subtlety and insight and has chosen to spare him. But the Silver Surfer makes it clear to the Nova Centurion that it would be best if they do not encounter each other again. Galactus does not spare anything twice.

After the Surfer departs, Nova begins to fully understand that the WorldMind has been lost. He decides to carry on his mission as Nova Centurion while praying the artificial sentience reboots itself soon. The CSUSS displays the current log of 8X8 distress messages to Rich's visor and he chooses his next mission.