The crew, who has supported the Archangel all this time, is upset to hear that the three are due to transfer. As if to make matters worse, orders are given that the Archangel will no longer belong to the 8th Fleet but now serve as part of Alaska’s defense forces. Why are they deploying a spaceship on Earth? The crew becomes wary.
In the meantime, the ZAFT forces gather in the Earth orbit, across the ground bases and underwater with submarines. The PLANT Supreme Council Chairman Patrick Zala finally gives the official signal to commence “Operation Spit Break” to quickly end the war. And it reveals the target is not the initially planned Panama but the Earth Alliance headquarters (JOSH-A) in Alaska.
However, the center part of Alaska is virtually empty. Ignoring the order to transfer, Mu tries to go back and feels the presence of Rau, and a gunfight starts. But then Rau just leaves. He comes across Flay and takes her as prisoner and escapes the base.
Kira, still looked after at the Clyne mansion, decides to return to Earth – to protect his friends in Alaska, and to find his reason to fight. Lacus gives Kira the ZAFT’s latest suit, Freedom Gundam, that was developed as “a new sword.”