After a failed confrontation with Gato at the Torrington Base, Kou, his friend Chuck and veterans South Burning and Dick Allen follow Gato through the outback in an attempt to recapture the Physalis. Zeon forces ambush them and kill Allen as Gato awaits a Komusai shuttle for extraction. Kou destroys the shuttle, but his efforts were in vain - the forces of Zeon had another avenue of escape prepared in the form of a submarine that provided covering fire during the Torrington base attack. Federation forces led by Burning managed to corner Gato, but it was all for naught as the wily Zeon pilot makes his escape on the submarine, leaving Kou's first battle marked with disgrace.