The year is 0083 in the Universal Century and after the One Year War, the Earth Federation has emerged as victorious against the defiant Principality of Zeon. Nevertheless, remnants of Zeon under Aguille Delaz's leadership have been concealing themselves for three years, planning to launch a fresh rebellion. Their scheme involves sending their top pilot, Anavel Gato, to retrieve one of two prototype Gundams from a Federation research base, along with its hazardous nuclear warhead. Fearing the dangerous consequences of this theft, the Earth Federation deploys the newly-built Albion carrier to intercept the rogue Gundam and recover the stolen unit, determined to uphold peace. With test pilots at the helm, including inexperienced Kou Uraki piloting the remaining Gundam prototype, their mission is to thwart Gato's plan, reclaim the stolen Gundam, and prevent the Zeon rebels from igniting another war.