The fugitive Archangel is now hiding underwater in the neutral Kingdom of Scandinavia. Aboard the ship, Kira and his friends ponder their future plans. Due to Lacus‘ assassination attempt and the presence of Meer. they can't bring themselves to trust Chairman Dullindal, and Cagalli wonders what has become of Athrun since he returned to the PLANT.

The Minerva arrives at the Mahamul base in the Persian Gulf. The local ZAFT are trying to isolate the Suez base by capturing the Earth Alliance's Gulnahan power plant. However, they have been unable to get past the Lohengrin Gate, which is guarded by a huge positron cannon and a powerful mobile armor. Talia realizes that the Minerva must clear this obstacle in order to continue its journey.