Once the Minerva arrives in Orb, Cagalli resumes her duties as Chief Representative. Her prime minister, Unato Ema Seiran, tells her of the damage caused by the fall of Junius Seven and urges her to approve an alliance with the Atlantic Federation.

The engineers of Morgenroete begin repair work on the Minerva, supervised by the former Archangel captain Murrue Ramius. Athrun meets with his friends Kira Yamato and Lacus Clyne, who after the Second Battle of Jachin Due, lived a quiet life in Orb. At last Athrun decides to return to space to meet with Chairman Dullindal, leaving Cagalli with an unexpected parting gift.