Two years after the First Bloody Valentine War, Cagalli Yula Athha and "Alex Dino" (Athrun Zala acting as Cagalli's bodyguard) meet PLANT Chairman Gilbert Durandal at the new PLANT, Armory One, to discuss important matters. At the same time, three unknown individuals infiltrate Armory One and steal three new ZAFT mobile suits. They are confronted by pilot Shinn Asuka in the ZGMF-X56S Impulse.