As promised, Kira returns to the Archangel. A hearing is held but the issue handing over Lacus to ZAFT without permission is disregarded through the good offices of Murrue.
Tolle and the group of civilians were shocked to see the destruction of the fleet before their eyes, but still their relief was greater that they will be freed from war soon…except Flay. To add to the blow, Flay hears from Kuzzey that he overheard the pilot of Aegis Gundam who killed her father is Kira’s close friend.
However, Flay walks over to them and for some reason apologizes to Kira. Kira is confused by her words. Just then, the battle alert blares. The 3 Gundams of the ZAFT forces decided to attack the Archangel before it rendezvouses with the Earth Alliance’s fleet. Kira launches for battlefield, sent off by words from a little girl and Flay saying to “protect us.”
The battle is fierce, that ZAFT has figured out Archangel’s way of combat, and finally Blitz Gundam shakes off both Strike Gundam and Moebius Zero, closing in on the Archangel. The ship is in the last extremity. Suddenly something happens to Kira. Strike Gundam out-maneuvers and damages Duel Gundam without even trying. With Yzak wounded, the other 2 Gundams also retreat.