Nova Corps

Team Name
Nova Corps

Base of Operations
Corps starship Resolute Duty; formerly mobile upon Ego (the Living Planet), Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S., Xandar Cluster, Xandar

Current Members
Fraktur, Irani Rael, Lindy Nolan, Morrow, Zan Philo, Qubit, Richard Rider, Robbie Rider, Tre Owens, Worldmind

Former Members
Air-Walker, David Green, Ego (the Living Planet), Firelord, Freya Shane, Garthan Saal, Ko-Rel, Kyle Dyne, Malik Tarcel, Powerhouse, Queen Adora, Rhomann Dey, Samaya, Tanak Valt

Other Members (Honorary, Reserve, etc.)
Quasar

 
Other Info
The Nova Corps was originally Xandar's space militia and exploration division. It consisted of 500 soldiers ranging in rank from Corpsman to Centurion, with its leader Nova Prime (Tanak Valt). They also had a regiment of Syfon Warriors. The Nova Corps have two priorities: defend the Xandarian civilization and protect the Xandarian living supercomputer known as the Worldmind. Though a small militia, each soldier was powered by the "Nova-Force" (a nearly limitless energy field generated by the Worldmind). The energy is then transmitted into the Nova Corps at varying levels depending on their rank. Thus, the Nova Corps became exceptionally powerful. In addition, the Worldmind contains the entire record of Xandarian history and civilization. (To learn about the place, characters, and/or team above, just click on their highlighted name.)

The Nova Corps ranks from highest rank to the lowest rank are as follows: Nova Prime--Nova Centurion designated as "Prime" is the highest-ranking member of the Nova Corps. The Prime is endowed with a vast portion of the Nova-Force, and capable of great feats of energy manipulation and projection. Centurion--Top tier of the Nova Corps. They can lift approximately 20 tons. Denarian--Middle tier of the Nova Corps. They have access to 75% of the Nova-Force compared to the Centurions. They can lift approximately 15 tons. Millennian--They have 50% of the Nova-Force compared to the Centurions. They cannot fly, but they can pilot one-man sky flyers. Millennians can lift approximately 10 tons, have limited invulnerability. Corpsman--Entry level of the Nova Corps. Graduates from the Space Academy must apply to the Nova Corps upon graduation. They have access to 25% of the Nova-Force compared to the Centurions. They can lift approximately 5 tons. (The first picture posted above shows four ranks of the Nova Corps in their individual uniforms starting from the left: Corpsman, Millennian, Denarian, and Centurion.)

At one point, the Luphomians attacked Xandar. Even though the Nova Corps was empowered by the Nove-Force, it wasn't enough to save their world from destruction. (To lean about the Luphomians, click on the highlighted name above.)

Fortunately, all was not lost for the Nova Corps. Some domed cities survived the planet's destruction, and the Xandarians populated an asteroid field that then became known as the Xandar Cluster. After reforming under Queen Adora (who was guided by the Worldmind), the Nova Corps evolved into an intergalactic peace-keeping force, guarding the entire Andromeda Galaxy and Earth. In addition, they began recruiting beings from other worlds into their ranks. (To learn about the above highlighted places and/or character, just click on their names. Also, some of these Nova Corps members from other worlds are shown in the second and third pictures posted above.)

Later, the Nova Corps were assembled to face off against Annihilus and his Annihilation Wave. The Corps fought valiantly to defend their world; however, the entire Nova Corps was destroyed and Xandar was laid to waste. Fortunately, one member of the Corps did survive--the Centurion known as Richard Rider. The Worldmind, which had also survived, guided Rider to itself. In order to save the Nova Corps, the Worldmind convinced Rider to let it uploaded itself to him to keep the Nova-Force and their people's history from being lost. Upon uploading, the entirety of the Nova-Force was given to Rider and he became the Nova Prime (aka Nova). Afterward, Nova led the United Front against the Annihilation Wave. And in the end, Nova killed Annihilus and ended the war. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the characters and/or teams.)
 
Later on, during the Skrulls' Secret Invasion, the Worldmind had been quietly and methodically recruiting new Nova Centurions (Malik Tarcel, Qubit, Fraktur, Irani Rael and Morrow). Using Project P.E.G.A.S.U.S. as a base of operations, Nova led the new Nova Corps in peace-keeping operations to stop the chaos left over from the Skrulls' attack. Nova was uncertain at first about reforming the Nova Corps so soon, but they worked together so well that his mind quickly changed. (To learn about the race, event, characters, and/or place above, just click on their highlighted name. Also, the last picture posted above shows the new version of the Nova Corps.)

Soon after, however, things escalated out of Nova's control. Without consulting him, Worldmind began to mass recruit the people of Earth, resulting in the Nova Corps growing from a half dozen to hundreds within minutes. Among these new recruits was Nova's own younger brother, Robbie Rider. However, the most disturbing of all was when the Worldmind had his new recruits lobotomize Ego (the Living Planet) to established a new base for the Nova Corps--calling it "Nu-Xandar." Nova thought that Worldwind was out of control, but he found himself alone in this belief. In fact, when the Worldmind asked that he download the Nova-Force into Nu-Xandar, Nova hesitated. Claiming that the Nova-Force had taken its toll on Rider's sanity, the Worldmind ordered the Nova Corps to restrain Nova. The Worldmind then forcefully removed the Nova-Force from Rider; thus, stripping Rider of his powers and rank as Nova Prime, and banished him to Earth. Afterward, Malik Tarcel was promoted to the rank of Nova Prime in place of Rider. Soon after, however, Rider learned that the Worldmind was employing mind control to manipulate the Nova Corps. (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the different characters.)

Later, when the War of Kings ignited between the Kree-led Inhumans and the Shi'ar, the Worldmind chose to immediately leave Earth to have the new and inexperienced Nova Corps members intervene in the galactic conflict. Unfortunately, the Corps had massive casualties and the new Nova Prime, Malik Tarcel, was captured by the Shi'ar Imperial Guard. However, it was Richard Rider who returned with the power of Quasar; thus, forcing the Worldmind to stand down. Rider retook his position as Nova Prime and called on the Nova Corps to retreat while they still could, saving whoever he could. Afterward, Nova had all of the newly recruited Centurions depowered and sent home. But, not all of the Centurions wanted to return home. Therefore, Robbie Rider, Morrow, Fraktur, Qubit, Irani Rael, Lindy Nolan, and Tre Owens elected to remain as Nova Centurions, serving as a much smaller Nova Corps. (To learn about the event, races, team, and/or characters above, just click on their highlighted names.)

At the end of the war, the Inhuman King of the Kree, Blackbolt, detonated the Terrigen-Bomb which punched a hole in space/time known as The Fault--a doorway to a universe analogous to our own where there is no death (aka the Cancerverse). The spatial distortions around the Fault allowed the Nova Corps to discover a long lost Nova Corps starship, the Resolute Duty, along with its veteran Centurion, Zan Philo. The Resolute Duty became the new mobile headquarters of the Nova Corps and Zan Philo became the trainer of its probationary members.  (Click on the highlighted names above to learn about the characters and/or places.)

More recently, when an invasion force from Cancerverse attacked, the Nova Corps was on hand to join the defense along with the Shi'ar, the Kree, and Blastaar's Negative Zone forces. It quickly became obvious that pushing the Cancerverse forces back through the Fault was going to be nearly impossible. Their only hope lied in a mission into the Cancerverse by the Guardians of the Galaxy and Thanos to kill the invaders at their home by reintroducing Death to that universe. The Nova Corps had to help hold the line until that happened. Nova ended up deputizing Quasar into the Nova Corps and ventured into the Cancerverse himself. The mission was a success, and the invasion fell apart with The Fault closing. However, Nova and Star-Lord stayed behind in the Cancerverse to ensure that Thanos would not return. Nova was presumed dead, and with him went the Worldmind and the Nova-Force; thus, leaving the Nova Corps no more once again. However, the survivors hailed Star-Lord and Nova as heroes and a statue was erected in their honor on Kree-Lar. (To learn about the above highlighted characters, places, and/or team, click on their names above.)

To learn a tiny bit more about the Nova Corps, click on the following link, http://marvel.com/universe/Nova_Corps.

In Guardians of the Galaxy film, the Nova Corps were led by Nova Prime Irani Rael and Rhomann Dey. (Also, the second picture posted above shows Rhomann Dey and some Nova Corps members.)