Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny Astray

Gundam SEED Destiny Astray is a collection of gaiden (side-stories) set in the Cosmic Era of Gundam SEED Destiny. It is released as a manga in Gundam ACE and a photo novel in Dengeki Hobby. The series started in November 2004.

Overview
DESTINY ASTRAY focuses on war photo-journalist Jess Rabble and his ZGMF-X12 Astray Out Frame. The Astray Out Frame was built by Lowe using the incomplete frame of a ZAFT mobile suit (believed to be a ZGMF-X12A unit), and later given to Jess. Jess is often accompanied by Kaite Madigan, a mercenary and former ZAFT mobile suit pilot who serves as his bodyguard, and owns several customized mobile suits of his own. Both are currently employees of a mysterious industrialist named Matias, who claims to have "no grasp of history" and therefore wishes for Jess to record history as it unfolds. Lowe is effectively removed from the story in the first chapter of DESTINY ASTRAY, when he begins a long journey to Mars, but returns in later chapters that are set two years later. Many other Astray characters, including Gai, Canard, and Rondo Mina, also continue to appear in supporting roles.

South American War of Independence
The first six chapters (called Scoops) concentrate on the South American War of Independence which takes place shortly after the Bloody Valentine War. During this time Jess documents the activities of Edward Harrelson alias "Ed the Ripper", who fights against the Earth Alliance for the freedom of the continent. Ed has to fight several former comrades like Rena Imelia or Jane Houston. However in the last battle against Rena, Ed is critically wounded and shortly after the war ends. The last 'filler' chapter that isn't considered part of the plot, Scoop 7, deals with a meeting between young Setona Winters and Jess and Kaite.

Presentation of new weapons
Beginning with Scoop 8 the story moves two years in the future to the events of Gundam SEED Destiny. In this chapters Jess goes to PLANT where he visits a presentation of the new Gundam-type mobile suits developed by ZAFT. However they soon encounter problems when during the test flights a spy appears.

Battles at GENESIS Alpha
Afterwards the story moves to the time of the Junius Seven colony drop, where an alliance of the Junk Guild, the Serpent Tail and Rondo Mina Sahaku tries to use GENESIS Alpha to push the remains of Junius Seven away from Earth. However they are stopped by Ash Grey, who now works for the EA and pilots the ZGMF-X12A Testament. During this time Lowe returns from Mars and Jess and Kaite are able to defeat Ash who then commits suicide.