After departing Orb, the Minerva is thrown into battle against an Atlantic Federation fleet. Due to their new alliance with the Federation, Orb quickly sets up a baracade of ships preventing the Minerva from retreat back to the safety of Orb territory.

Athrun, now a member of the super elite ZAFT task force FAITH, returns to the Minerva. Once aboard, he delivers the Minerva's new mission to Talia.