Kira Yamato

C.E. 73: While the second battle of Yachin Due brought the war between the Naturals and Coordinators to a close, tensions between the two races are at an all-time high. During a meeting between PLANT Chairman Gilbert Dullindal and Orb Representative Cagalli Yula Athha, a unit of soldiers hijack ZAFT's newly developed Gundams. ZAFT soldier Shinn Asuka along with his friends at the ZAFT ship Minerva sortie in attempt to deter this hijacking. With the assistance of Cagalli's bodyguard, Athrun Zala, the Minerva chases after the unknown ship that hijacked the Gundams until an even greater problem occurs leading to the start of the second Bloody Valentine war. Note: On March 2013, the airing of the HD Remaster began. Like the HD Remaster of Gundam SEED, the remaster of this series not only improves the animation, but also alters lines and scenes from the original, as well as introducing brand new mobile suits. The episode count for the remaster was 50 episodes. The recap episode "Refrain" was completely omitted from the HD Remaster, while the final episode divided into two parts: "Final Power" and "The Chosen Future", based on the "The Chosen Future" television special, with additional footage.
It's now C.E. 73 and three of ZAFT's newest mobile suits are stolen. During the highjacking, Cagalli, now Orb's head of state, and Athrun, now her bodyguard and under the guise of Alex Dino, are meeting with ZAFT's new head honcho.
Shinn continues to battle the three stolen suits. In the midst of battle, the three machines work to escape from Armory-1 and rendevous with their ship, Earth's "Girty Lue", which is under the command of the mysterious Neo Roanoake.
After the Minerva launches from Armory-1, the battle against the Girty Lue ends, for the time being. However, Girty Lue launches another attack preventing the crew from having much time to regroup.
During the battle with the Girty Lue, Athrun helps the Minerva out of a bind with his strategizing.
As Junius-7 plummets towards the Earth, the Minerva team-up with the Joule team to try and destroy it.
The battle on Junius-7 instifies, as the Gaia, Chaos & Abyss make the Joule team's attempt at the destroying the falling colony much more difficult.
As a last ditch effort, the Mireva uses is Tanhäuser to break up the remaining chunk of Junius-7. Unfortunatey, several of the pieces fall to Earth destroying several of Earth's cities. The battle-damaged Minerva makes its way to Orb to re-supply and to drop Cagalli off.
The Minerva arrives at Orb. While the crew enjoys some downtime. Cagalli learns some unsettling information about the future of Orb. While Athrun decides to return to PLANT once more and meet with Gilbert Durandal.
Eager for retaliation, the Atlantic Federation declares war on ZAFT (who they blame for the Junius-7 drop). In defense of the oncoming nuclear onslaught, ZAFT unleashes its newest weapon, the Neutron Stampeder, against the Atlantic Federation forces.
As Athrun meets with Durandel, the Durandel a Lacus impostor rallies the citizens of the PLANT's look away from war and look towards peace. Later, Durandel offers Athrun a chance to pilot one of ZAFT's newest mobile suits, the ZGMF-X23S Savior.
Orb decides to ally itself with the Atlantic Federation, much to Cagalli's dismay. While about the PLANTs, Athrun receives some help making his decision from some old comrades.
After departing Orb, the Minerva is thrown into battle against an Atlantic Federation fleet. Due to their new alliance with the Federation, Orb quickly sets up a barricade of ships preventing the Minerva from retreating back to the safety of Orb territory.
As the Minerva's crew congratulates Shinn on a job well done, Kira is forced to take the Freedom out into battle once again.
Kira, Lacus, and the remnants of the Archangel crew, embark on their old vessel and depart, and Cagalli faces a choice in her engagement to Yuna.
Athrun, now a member of the independent ZAFT task force, FAITH, returns to the Minerva, delivering its new mission to her captain, Talia.
The Minerva engages Neo Roanoke, and the three stolen Mobile Suits, in a battle over the Indian Ocean.
The Minerva lands at ZAFT's Mahamul base, receiving details of its next assignment.
The Minerva must destroy a fixed positron cannon emplacement to break through to Gibraltar. They are lent aid by a young resistance fighter, Conille.
Shinn narrates a series of flashbacks covering the events that have transpired in Gundam SEED and SEED Destiny.
After a misunderstanding between Athrun, Lunamaria and Meer, Shinn takes advantage of his shore leave by exploring the countryside.