Synopsis / Summary / Plot
We open with the Universal Church Of Truth's really large flagship Temple-Destroyer surrounded by debris plus most of the existing Nova Corpsmen (but not Richard Rider) and their ships. A voiceover by Moondragon reminds us that the Church was originally a cult run by Adam Warlock's evil half Magus, and their spaceships had engines powered by the faith of their believers. But she says it's all different now. The Nova Corps are confronted by the Patriarch of the Church who says he doesn't want any trouble, but the Corps want to board the ship. In response the Patriarch re-enters the ship which then makes a very loud noise and translucent tentacles emerge which convince the Corpsmen to remove their helmets in the vacuum of space while saying "Have faith".
The Guardians Of The Galaxy are enjoying R&R on the sin-planet Dolo-Mayan. Peter Quill is in bed with Gamora. When he told her he loved her last issue he didn't think her reaction would be this enthusiastic! But duty now calls. Apparently Groot has won them a new ship which Pater intends to continue tradition by naming after another of his favourite actresses. But Gamora asks why it can't be a handsome *actor* this time? They are interrupted by Groot who says there's something Peter needs to see.
This something is a message from his father J'son of Spartax. He says that the destruction of the Nova Corps triggered an interstellar war, as part of which he's leading the Spartoi fleet against the Temple-Destroyer. He deems it a suicide mission so he's taking this last chance to apologise to his son for their past disagreements. The message ends with J'son telling Peter not to come here but run as far away as he can. And then "Have faith".
Quill of course does the exact opposite. And Moondragon's voiceover says the team followed him without hesitation. When they arrive at the Temple-Destroyer in their new spaceship, now named the Bowie, Star-Lord can't pick up any transmissions so he lays out a plan. Groot will stay on the ship with the engines running. Moondragon will stay with him to provide a psi-link to the away team. The Inhuman dog Lockjaw will teleport the others (itself, Star-Lord and Gamora plus Beta Ray Bill and Phyla-Vell) inside the big ship.
When they get there they see countless translucent tubes, all with many bodies inside them. The Patriarch greets them and says the Church is going to resurrect their messiah. Moondragon mentally tells the GOTG to get out now! But it's too late as the tendrils grab them all.
Back on the Bowie Heather Douglas spasms, and her voiceover tells us that she learned that this COUT is from the future, and their engines are powered by life not faith - they steal your will to live. In the present she starts to chant "Have faith" but pulls free and desperately tells Groot to run! He takes their ship away from there.
On the Temple-Destroyer we see that the tendrils work by inducing despair. But Patriarch gets them to let the Guardians go. He explains that Quill and friends have seen the dire future that the Church is trying to prevent. Their resurrected messiah is the only 1 who can kill their foe, Death. The Patriarch says he sent the message to bring Quill here, and drops his hood to reveal himself as the (possessed) J'son. Peter says no, but his teammates rise against him saying "Have faith".
The issue ends with Moondragon talking to Groot and someone else. The voiceover has been what she's been telling them. Now she says she's lost mental contact with others because they're too far away. It's up to the 3 of them to save the day. She speaks to the 3rd person saying that everyone on the team hates him but they need his help. We see that it's Rocket Raccoon hobbling around on medical support - he's dying so what's he got to lose.