Barely fleeing its pursuing ZAFT forces, Archangel takes refuge in the military fortress “Artemis.” However, the crew is met with the muzzles of the supposedly allied soldiers. The Archangel and its crew are held captive by the commander of Artemis, Gerard Garcia.
Although they are in the same Earth Alliance force, Murrue is a member of the “Atlantic Federation” whereas Artemis is the fortress of its strongest rival, the “Eurasian Federation”. The Earth Alliance’s lack of monolithic unity is apparent. Garcia plans to steal both Archangel and Strike Gundam for the Eurasian Federation in an attempt to secure a position in his homeland. Using Kira’s friends, Garcia demands Kira to unlock Strike Gundam’s OS.
Around the same time, there are movements in ZAFT’s Gamow ship which is watching Artemis from afar. Artemis is protected, when enemy forces are sighted, by a Lightwave Barrier known as the “Umbrella of Artemis” which makes this fortress impenetrable.
But the Blitz Gundam uses the Mirage Colloid stealth system to sneak near the fortress while the shield is down and attack. Soldiers display lax discipline and unmilitary behavior born of overconfidence on the shield. Kira uses this opportunity to escape and return to Strike, and engage with Blitz Gundam. Outside Artemis, Duel Gundam and Buster Gundam attack the Artemis. The fight between Strike Gundam and Blitz Gundam breaks up as the fortress crumbles, and Kira, with Archangel, escape, leaving the destroyed fortress behind.