With Armory One under attack, Athrun commandeers a ZAFT mobile suit to get Cagalli to safety. The three stolen Gundams engage Athrun's ZAKU in combat, but he is rescued by the sudden appearance of the young ZAFT pilot Shinn Asuka and his Impulse Gundam.

Outside Armory One, the enemy mothership Girty Lue joins the battle and wipes out the ZAFT defense fleet. Shinn and his comrade Rey Za Burrel attempt to pursue the stolen Gundams as they escape from Armory One, only to find the enemy commander waiting for them in the darkness of space.