In the most recent records of the conflict between the Earth Alliance and ZAFT forces, one of the most striking and enigmatic events was the attack on the military satellite Artemis and the disappearance of one of the most advanced mobile units in the war: the Strike Gundam. What happened not only left visible scars on orbital infrastructure but also deep psychological wounds in the morale of the troops and global public opinion.
The sequence of events began when the Archangel—a cutting-edge warship developed by the Earth Alliance—desperately sought refuge after several engagements with ZAFT forces. Severely damaged and with an inexperienced crew, the Archangel was received at the Artemis satellite, a fortified installation considered neutral yet aligned with the Alliance.
Artemis was known for its signature defense system: the “Light Wall,” an electromagnetic barrier allegedly capable of repelling any external assault. This belief in its supposed invulnerability led the station’s commanders to take a complacent, even dismissive stance, unaware that such arrogance would soon be their undoing.
A Meticulous Plan from the Shadows
What followed was a strategic masterclass executed by ZAFT. Commander Nicol Amalfi, a young elite pilot and one of the most brilliant minds of the Coordinator faction, led a surgical operation with two clear objectives: to destabilize Artemis’ defenses and to force the Archangel into retreat—making it easier to isolate and capture.
What seemed to be an impenetrable fortress quickly turned into an exposed and vulnerable target in the face of stealth tactics and calculated strikes. Using hidden orbital paths and exploiting a blind spot in the electromagnetic field, Amalfi’s team infiltrated the satellite’s defensive perimeter undetected.
Once inside range, they unleashed a flurry of attacks. It was too late for Artemis to respond. One by one, defense systems failed, neutralized by intelligent missiles and frequency-modulated explosives that bypassed the Light Wall’s reactive shielding.
Amid the chaos, the Archangel received the evacuation order. With primary systems damaged, the crew activated auxiliary thrusters and fled the blast radius, leaving behind the burning wreckage of Artemis, now reduced to smoldering debris.
A Duel Between Prodigies
But not everyone escaped.
During the retreat, the Strike Gundam’s pilot, Kira Yamato, detached from the Archangel to cover the rear. What started as a defensive maneuver quickly turned into a deadly duel between Yamato and Nicol Amalfi. The battle was brief but fierce. Both were prodigies: Kira, a civilian forced into war by circumstance; Nicol, a tactician shaped by ZAFT’s elite academies. Partial footage from nearby satellites captured the combat—an intense, calculated dance of precision and deadly skill.
The last recorded signal from the Gundam came in the form of a massive explosion near the satellite’s outer perimeter. Under continued enemy pressure, the Archangel was unable to confirm Kira’s fate. Forced to continue their escape, the crew left not knowing whether their comrade had survived.
Since that moment, the Strike Gundam has been officially listed as “missing in action.” The Alliance declared the unit lost, but unofficial reports suggest an emergency ejection system may have been triggered. A faint distress signal was detected near the wreckage field, but it vanished before any rescue attempt could be organized.
Cracks Within the Alliance
The attack on Artemis dealt a heavy blow to the Earth Alliance. Not only was a strategic ally lost and the Archangel left more exposed, but the operation also revealed serious flaws in their defense infrastructure. Artemis’ neutral posture, combined with overconfidence in its technology, had sealed its fate.
The political backlash was immediate. Internal sectors of the Alliance harshly criticized the mishandling of the situation, and serious ethical questions were raised about using civilians—like Kira Yamato—to pilot experimental war machines without adequate training.
Meanwhile, ZAFT emerged emboldened. Nicol Amalfi was praised for his brilliant tactical execution. Though still young, he demonstrated strategic clarity that impressed even Earth-based analysts. His operation not only achieved its goals but also sent a powerful message to the Alliance high command: numerical or technological superiority meant little without coherent doctrine and sharp execution.
Kira Yamato, for his part, became a tragic figure. A Coordinator by birth, raised among Naturals, he had been forced to fight against both sides in a war he never chose. To the public, his disappearance represented more than just the loss of a promising young pilot—it became a symbol of an entire generation trapped in a conflict not of their making.
A Legacy Floating in the Void
Today, the remains of Artemis orbit in silence, a floating monument to military arrogance and the human cost of war. The tale of the vanished Gundam has not been forgotten. In classified briefings, military think tanks, and even on public forums, debates still rage about what really happened that day. Was the unit destroyed? Captured by ZAFT? Is Kira Yamato still alive, hidden somewhere in deep space?
Only silence answers.
And in that silence, the war continues.