Sypnosis: DaCosta is searching through Lagrange 4 (Mendel Colony) for vital clues against Dullindal. He picks up a book, skims it, and a folder. He quickly escapes and is caught by a GINN Recon-Type. He quickly returns to the Eternal unaware of his follower where Lacus is informed about the events at Heaven's Base. They fear that ORB will be the next one targeted.
We are shown the aftermath of the battle at Heaven's base. The ZAFT Trio discusses about how Jirbil managed to escape. Shin is angry about not taking care of Jibril. We see Jibril fly into ORB, with Unato and Yuna waiting for him. Kira seems to be troubled by the events at Heaven's Base as he meets up with Murrue at the secret repair bay at ORB. Kira is worried about the fate of Lacus.
Meanwhile at Athrun's bedside, Neo was watching the news broadcast from his bed. Suddenly Cagalli comes in to look after Athrun. Athrun asks about Meyrin, Cagalli assures him that she is doing okay and that Miriallia is taking care of her. Athrun catches a glimpse of Cagalli's ring and remembers giving the ring to her and his promise. Neo seems to be touched by the story. Athrun is reminded of ZAFT and Shin. His eyebrows get crossed.
On the Eternal, DaCosta starts revealing his findings on Mendel. He shows Lacus and Waltfeld the folder containing some notes by Dullindal, and especially something written in red called the "Destiny Plan". The notes reveal something about DNA Manipulation and a chart with aging and time. Suddenly the Recon GINN starts attacking a survillence camera of the Eternal. Waltfeld and the crew are instantly alerted. Lacus pleads for them to flee on the Eternal. The Eternal launches from the asteroid camouflage.
Meanwhile we see Kira doing some configurations on Strike Rouge. Murrue suddenly calls Kira to the bridge. Kira rushes down from the MS and quickly to the bridge of the Archangel. Neo and Athrun are also alerted by the noise. In space, the Eternal is seen on radar by 3 Nazca Classed ZAFT ships. They start launching their GOUF and ZAKU Warrior mobile suits. On the Archangel, Murrue tells Kira that something is wrong with the flight path of the Eternal. Athrun tries desperately to cry out to Kira, but is too injured. Suddenly, Neo makes a communication screen with the bridge. He forwards the message Athrun had for Kira.
Athrun begs Kira to save Lacus and about her danger. Kira suddenly asks Cagalli for her Strike Rouge and Strike Booster. Everyone on the bridge is surprised by Kira as he rushes to launch. Murrue turns to the screen and thanks Neo. Back in the infirmary, Athrun also says his thanks to the Major. Neo replies that he is not a Major and that his name is Neo Lorrnoke. Athrun has a flashback of Mwu dying to the Dominion's Lohengrin blast. Suddenly he gasps in shock.
A Blaze ZAKU Warrior starts the attack on the Eternal. The Eternal intercepts the missiles. Meanwhile, a Gunner ZAKU Warrior fires at them as the Eternal nimbly dodges the attack. Kira is furiously typing away at Strike Rouge, upgrading it's system. We get a glimpse of the Strike Booster in it's pre-lauch state. Back in space, a Nazca class fires it's main cannons at the Eternal as it dodges the chaotic beams. The Eternal uses it's METEOR units to return fire. Many ZAKUs and GOUFs begin firing and a ZAKU throws a grenade that explodes right infront of the bridge.
The start up screen of Strike Rouge is shown being updated. Kira tells Murdock and the rest of the tech crew to clear as he launches. On the Eternal, a ZAKU Warrior is shot down as it explodes near the bridge. Lacus tries to remain indifferent. Waltfeld jumps up and says he's going to launch. Back on ORB, a mountain range opens to expose a launch pad for the Strike Booster. Kira launches the Strike Booster and activates the Phase Shift Armor on Strike Rouge. As the Strike Rouge goes closer to the opening we can tell it's colors have been modified to fit the old Strike's Red, White, and Blue, with the exception that it's Shield is the Rouge Shield, and the Eyes and Head Crystals remain Green. The Strike Booster escapes into the sky as Cagalli and Murrue watch from the bridge.
Back on the Eternal, Waltfeld's custom Orange Gaia launches. He manages to shoot and destroys a ZAKU Warrior. A ZAKU attempts to use it's Beam Axe on the Gaia, as Waltfeld dodges and manages to take out the head. Waltfeld steps on the body and goes to the Quadruple Mode on Gaia. He uses the Beam Wings to destroy a GOUF. (Similar style to the way Heine died by Stellar). The Eternal continues dodging the Nazca class' attack as a Gunner fires and nearly hits the bridge. DaCosta and Lacus are blinded by the light and shaken by the attack. Waltfeld attempts to attack it, but had Gaia's rifle caught by a GOUF's Heat Rod. It emits an electric wave and destroys the Rifle.
Glowing Red from exiting the Earth's Atmosphere, the Strike Booster finally makes it's way into space. Waltfeld gets pelted by a GOUF's Beam Fingers as he blocks with his shield. Two ZAKU Warriors surround him. Another approaches the Eternal and shoots down all the Anti-Beam Depth Charges. Suddenly a Gunner appears and prepares to fire. Waltfeld is too preoccupied to prevent it. Suddenly the Strike Booster makes it's attack and launches off from the Booster, revealing Strike. Waltfeld is surprised by the reapperance of Strike. Kira fires at the Gunner's cannon and destroys it.
Kira begins shooting down a GOUF and ZAKU Warrior's weapons. Lacus instantly recognizes Kira's aiming and calls out, "Kira!". Kira appears infront of the Eternal and relays an image to the Eternal. Lacus seems very glad to see him and Waltfeld continues to stare in disbelief. Many ZAKU Warriors begin firing at Strike, as Kira nimbly dodges and attacks back, blowing off the heads and weapons of many ZAKUs. Another Gunner ZAKU attemps to shoot at the Eternal, but Kira blocks with the Strike Rouge Shield. The powerful attack destroys the left arm of Strike and the shield. Another Gunner fires at Kira's right arm with the rifle, destroying the arm. Waltfeld manages to grab Strike's Rifle as the arm is blown off and uses it for Gaia, taking out the left arm of the ZAKU. Waltfeld calls him an idiot and tells him to go to the Eternal.
Lacus gets up and heads to the launch bay. Kira retreats to the Eternal hangar entrance, as a stray blast destroys the legs of Strike. Arrestors from the Eternal latches itself onto Strike as it escorts Strike safely inside. As Strike enters, Lacus runs along with it from a window. Kira eagerly jumps out and prepares to meet Lacus. He closes the airlock and takes off his helmet. Through two more doors, Lacus and Kira reunite as they jump into each other's arms. Their brief reunition becomes interupted as Lacus quickly takes Kira to a hangar. Meanwhile Waltfeld's Gaia's arm gets shot off. DaCosta becomes worried of his commander.
A blast knocks Lacus off track. Kira comes to her aid as she crashes into his chest. They eventually reach the hangar, where stands Strike Freedom. Lacus seems unhappy making Kira fight again. Kira replies cheerfully to her and thanks her. Kira wastes no time and begins booting up Strike Freedom. He quickly updates the system. The Eternal opens it's launching hatch as Vestige plays in the background. The Linear catapult gives the okay for Strike Freedom to launch. Kira confirms the launching of Freedom.
Strike Freedom flies from the Eternal and Phase Shifts into Freedom's traditional Blue, Red, and White, with it's trademark golden hinges. He spreads his wings magnificantly as he flies towards the heated battle again. Some ZAKU Warriors fires their rifle and missiles at him. Kira blocks the Beams with his Beam Shield, and destroys the missiles with his rifle. Kira takes out his beam saber and quickly disables two ZAKUs. Two GOUFs suddenly recongize the new mobile suit as Freedom. Kira nimbly dodges the attack by it's beam finger and cuts off the hand. Kira begins uses both his rifles to destroy a Warrior and GOUF opposite to him (You will recognize this scene from the OP). He crosses his rifles to destroy another pair of ZAKU and GOUF.
A GOUF launches it's Heat Rod and latches on to Strike Freedom's right leg. Another latches one on to his left rifle. They attempt to use the electric shock, when Strike Freedom unleashes it's DRAGOONs (Very cool pose btw) and destroys the binds created by the heat rod. The GOUF pilots are surprised by the DRAGOONs. Strike Freedom unleashes it's HiMAT, consisting of his two Rifles, Chest cannon, twin Railcannons, and 8 DRAGOONs. The many GOUF and ZAKUs are instantly disabled. The Nazca captain is scared of Strike Freedom as it approaches them. He finally orders the Nazcas to fire. Strike Freedom dodges the attacks and lets off a shot from his railcannons, manging to hit the tip of a Nazca. Strike Freedom unleashes it's DRAGOON units as Kira gets a Newtype flash across his head. The DRAGOONs come quickly under his control as his many shots damange a Nazca ship critically. The captain sinks in his seat.
Kira returns from the battle as it flies alongsides the Eternal. Waltfeld's Gaia returns to the hangar. Lacus hugs the book DaCosta brought her close in her arms with something upsetting her. She quickly changes to a happy tone as she looks towards Kira. Kira smiles back. His head turns towards the earth, with his eyes determined.
Review: If I said I didn't like it, I'd be making a blasphemy out of myself. First off, seeing Strike in his old colors were nostalgic! Man I missed him! Too bad the head crystal, eyes, and shield are off (He kinda reminds me of Impulse with those colors). Second of all, Waltfeld's orange Gaia resembles his LaGOWE. Looks pretty snazy! Then the biggest thriller had to be Lacus and Kira's reunion, and the clamatic appearence of Strike Freedom! He literally owns the battlefield, and the surprising realization that Kira had a newtype flash! Don't be disapointed, watch this one if not all else!
