On the Earth’s orbit, a fierce battle has started between the Earth Alliance’s 8th Fleet and the ZAFT forces. Although the Earth Alliance was superior in numbers, Rau Le Creuset’s troops, with GINNs and all 4 Gundams, destroy the Alliance’s craft one after another.
During the fierce battle, the Archangel offers to descend to Earth; not an act of desertion in the face of the enemy, but to be a decoy since Archangel is the ZAFT’s target, in hopes to avoid a crushing defeat. With renewed determination to protect the ship, Kira launches. But Yzak’s Duel Gundam Assault Shroud, who is desperate for revenge, stands before him. Countdown for re-entry continues, and as the limit point approaches, the ZAFT ship Gamow rushes in to do a suicide attack. In this crisis, Admiral Halberton accepts his fate and with flagship Menelaos, scatters into space.
But then the civilian shuttle gets in Yzak’s way, who is burning with anger, and is shot down. The refugees Kira continuously defended with his life, are killed right in front of him… The Archangel successfully lands on Earth, but to sacrifice the 8th Fleet was too high of a price to pay.