The Earth Alliance and Orb Union gather their forces in the Mediterranean Sea, and launch a second attack on the Minerva. Shinn unleashes an attack on the Orb Fleet and Kira and Athrun confront each other in battle. Chairman Durandal thinks on his past and also thinks about the future, Shinn reaches an a young woman, Stella who is the enemy pilot he promised to protect is now captured. Stella is weak though and Shinn goes in to save her.