Due to the Earth's inability to fight the Jovians, the private corporation Nergal has commissioned it's first ship, the Nadesico.  Akito has been hired on as cook and temporary Aestevalis pilot and Yurika is the captain.  Their first mission is to go to Mars to see if they can find survivors.  The military has other plans, however, and Yurika must face her father, an Admiral, before they can continue their mission.  Gai Diagoji, a pilot who has just broken his leg, gets the crew to watching Gekigangar 3, an old anime and one Akito liked to watch when he was younger.