The Free Planets Alliance Navy Expeditionary Fleet encounters a grave shortage of food during its advance into Imperial territory. The 5th Fleet commander, Admiral Bewcock, conveys Yang's proposed escape plan to Supreme Commander Lobos, but Lobos fails to comprehend the situation and won't allow them to flee. Meanwhile, Reinhard has already given orders to Kircheis to strike the Alliance Navy's supply convoy. The Imperial Navy's counterattack has begun!

Julian is deeply hesitant about his new assignment in Fezzan. Wouldn't he be more helpful to the Alliance's cause by staying at Iserlohn, where the Imperial fleet is more likely to strike, making any available pilot sorely needed in the near future? However, Yang believes that this otherwise unwelcome top-down decision may actually turn out to be crucial to obtaining invaluable insight on where the struggle for power in the galaxy is heading.