The Minerva leaves Orb but an Earth Alliance fleet awaits them right outside Orb territorial waters. The Minerva is forced to break through, since Orb will not let them return. The situation worsens when the Earth Alliance deploys its new prototype mobile armor, but thanks to Shinn's SEED factor, he causes heavy damage to the Earth Alliance's fleet, and ultimately, their retreat. Meanwhile, Athrun rejoins ZAFT.