WHEN THE PAST CATCHES UPThe battle carrier Archangel finally made it to Earth, but its descent took the crew directly into the African desert, controlled by the enemy, the Zaft Empire. Now, if the crew have any hope of reaching the Federation military base in Alaska, they have to make a desperate dash across the Indian Ocean. Battered by constant attacks, the crew must rely on the goodwill of the neutral island nation of Orb. But Orb’s leader asks a high price for his help–the battle data of the Archangel and its mobile suit. No one knows better than Cagalli, the leader’s daughter, that he’d have no problem selling this crucial data for political gain. Meanwhile, the last thing that young pilot Kira Yamato wants is to battle his former best friend, Athrun, but a battlefield tragedy may lead to a blood feud between them!