En route to his new assignment on Earth, Federation officer Shiro Amada comes across an ally battling a Zeon Zaku. Attempting a brave rescue in a Ball, he has a fateful encounter with the enemy pilot, Aina Sakhalin.

Shiro arrives at a jungle base in Southeast Asia to take command of the 08th MS Team. Ordered to sortie right away, he leads his team into battle, but struggles with combat in Earth's unfamiliar gravity and in the dark of night.

In its second mission, the 08th MS Team is ordered to sweep the Zeon forces from a hilly area. However, the team's advance is stalled by enemy fortifications. Shiro attempts to flank the enemy via a river frequented by guerrillas.

Every team that Sanders has ever belonged to has been wiped out on its third mission, and now it's the turn of the 08th MS Team. The worried Sanders asks Shiro to transfer him, but then Zeon's new mobile armor Apsalus appears.

The musician Eledore learns that he will be making his major-label debut. In high spirits, he drags Michel along to a nearby village to celebrate. But when they reach the bar, the pair find gun-toting Zeon soldiers waiting for them.

Having discovered the Apsalus's testing ground, the 08th MS Team lie in wait for an ambush, preparing for the encounter with combat simulations. The team members' frustrations mount as the Apsalus fails to appear, until they finally come to blows.