Sat, Jan 11, 2003
The Archangel saves Kira as they enter the Earth's atmosphere. As a result, they land in ZAFT-controlled territory in the Sahara in northern Africa, far from their intended target, Alaska. Flay begins to take care of Kira and comforts him when he is tormented by the memories of the spacecraft that was destroyed in the previous battle.
Sat, Jan 18, 2003
The Archangel is attacked by multiple TMF/A-802 BuCUE units. Kira hastily takes off and fights the ZAFT forces, but he is unfamiliar with the desert environment. His ability to adapt amazes ZAFT's commander Andrew Waltfeld. When the Strike is about to run out of power, a resistance group comes to his aid and lures the remaining BuCUE units into an explosive trap.
Sat, Jan 25, 2003
Murrue Ramius thanks the resistance group for their help and agrees to be allies. The resistance group introduces themselves as the Desert Dawn who are fighting Andrew and the Lesseps. Kira once again meets with Cagalli Yula Athha, the mysterious young woman he first encountered at Heliopolis' Morgenroete factory, who is now part of Desert Dawn. Meanwhile, Andrew attacks the Desert Dawn's hometown, but evacuates the town first.
Sat, Feb 8, 2003
Kira and Cagalli are sent into a nearby ZAFT-controlled city to gather supplies with Natarle and the Desert Dawn. The two teenagers get caught in an attack by the Blue Cosmos, and when Kira saves a man who happens to be Andrew Waltfeld, they are invited to the ZAFT base. There, Andrew reveals that he knows Kira is the pilot of the Strike and a Coordinator, but lets them leave safely.
Sat, Feb 22, 2003
A battle between the Lesseps and the Desert Dawn commences. Kira and the Desert Tiger fight a battle where they realize the pain of having an enemy who is not an abstraction. With the Strike's power almost depleted, Kira has no choice but to destroy Andrew's TMF/A-803 LaGOWE or die himself.
Sat, Mar 1, 2003
After a final pitched battle in the desert, the Archangel must begin to make her way to the Federation base at Alaska. Cagalli and Kisaka decide to accompany them. En route, they are attacked numerous times by ZAFT maritime mobile suits. The Strike is at a distinct disadvantage. During the battle, Cagalli is shot down and lands on a deserted island. But Athrun has also crash-landed there. Cagalli takes an instant dislike to Athrun, who doesn't seem to care. The war just became personal. Finally, with an exhausted crew and a badly-damaged ship, the Archangel reaches the neutral nation of Orb. They think they're safe, but how long will it last?
Sat, Mar 8, 2003
A battle with ZAFT submarine forces led by Commander Marco Morassim prevents Kira from fighting alongside Mu and Cagalli in their FX-550 Skygraspers. Cagalli's Skygrasper sustains damage and is forced to turn back, but she encounters Athrun's transport plane; her Skygrasper is shot down, but not before shooting down his transport plane, forcing Athrun in his Aegis to eject from the transport plane. By chance, they are both stranded on the same deserted island.
Sat, Mar 22, 2003
The Archangel is attacked by the Zala Team which consists of the Le Creuset Team members. They take heavy damage, but when they enter the waters of the neutral nation of Orb, ZAFT is chased away and is told that the Archangel has been chased away. The Zala Team sneaks into Orb with the belief that Orb's official statement is false.
Sat, Mar 29, 2003
The damaged Archangel is safely berthed in Orb where it undergoes repairs. Meanwhile, the Zala Team has infiltrated Orb to search for the Archangel. The rest of Kira's friends are reunited with their families. Kira, meanwhile, avoids his parents, and then has an unpleasant encounter with Flay. The time comes for the Archangel to resume its journey to Alaska, but they are attacked as soon as they reach open water. The battle gets very personal as someone on each side falls in battle. Finally, enraged, Kira and Athrun battle heightens to the bitter end which leads to devastating results!
Sat, May 24, 2003
The Archangel limps toward Alaska, having lost contact with both the Strike Gundam and Tolle's Skygrasper. Cagalli, meanwhile, discovers a wounded Athrun, and is shocked to learn what happened. In Alaska, the Archangel crew are told to stand by for further orders, and tensions continue to mount. Elsewhere, Kira awakens and finds himself in the care of Lacus Clyne. ZAFT launches Operation Spit Break, and the Federation is caught completely by surprise. Now, the Archangel is one of a handful of ships left at Alaska to defend JOSH-A from a massive ZAFT offensive. And beneath the base lies a secret that will destroy them all!