In the aftermath of the battle at Crete, the Archangel retrieves survivors from the Orb fleet, who ask to join Cagalli in her fight to restore Orb's ideals. Meanwhile, the Minerva is undergoing another round of repairs before continuing on to Gibraltar.

While Athrun frets over his confrontation with Kira, Shinn has other matters on his mind. The enemy pilot Strellar Loussier, who Shinn once promised to protect, is still a prisoner aboard the Minerva. As Stellar's condition continues to deteriorate, Shinn decides on a desperate plan of action to save her life.