The Alliance is still reeling with the failure of their attack on the plants. Meanwhile, in Orb, Cagalli battles against allying with the Earth Alliance, but her words fall on deaf ears. On the PLANT's Athrun wonders what his next course of action should be, and spends some time with some old friends. Things deteriorate quickly, and the Minerva leaves Orb, in international waters, Yuna orders the Orb navy to attack them. Meanwhile, a group of Coordinator commandos comes to Orb and infiltrates the house where Kira, Lacus, and the others are staying. Their target: Lacus. Enraged, Kira boards the Freedom for the first time since the war. Sequel to the blockbuster hit Gundam SEED.