The Atlantic Federation and its allies declare war on the PLANT in response to the fall of Junius Seven. Although Chairman Dullindal still hopes for a diplomatic solution, the ZAFT are mobilized to defend the PLANT. Yzak and his comrade Dearka Elthman join the battle only to discover that they are fighting decoys while the Earth Forces attack the PLANT with nuclear weapons.

As the battle rages, Athrun waits on the sidelines for a chance to talk to Dullindal. He is surprised to encounter a young woman who looks just like Lacus, and is even more stunned when the impostor greets him as if they were long-separated lovers.