When the Nova labs were destroyed they were done so by a mysterious fire, the cause of which wasn't explained. Perhaps an opposing group against WAR decided to destroy the place and took the Nova plans for themselves before destroying it, all while the 2097 tournament took place. The group of which who did and for what purpose they stole the plans, god only knows. Iron Fist? A WAR splinter group? Someone else?
Nova Robot Concept
Were you going to drive home the "Robot piloted by a disembodied brain" concept? I mean, tactically speaking, exposing said brain for a visual effect (even if behind a bubble) would be a bad idea, but it'd still look cool.
Well that is what they were designed for, but if you think about it, you can buy one in Tourny mode, so.. most likely that concept was droped, for the fighting ones.
Let me know if stuff needs to be changed. :)