The Atlantic Federation and its allies declare war on the PLANTs in response to the fall of Junius Seven. Although Chairman Durandal still hopes for a diplomatic solution, the ZAFT forces are mobilized to defend the PLANTs. Yzak and his comrade Dearka Elsman join the battle only to discover that they are fighting decoys while the Earth Forces attack the PLANTs with nuclear weapons. As the battle rages, Athrun waits on the sidelines for a chance to talk to Durandal. 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.