Gundam Seed Destiny Season 1 Episode 12 The Blood-Stained Sea

The Blood-Stained Sea is the twelfth episode of season 1 of the anime series Gundam Seed Destiny. The episode opens with the Minerva ship from Z.A.F.T. docked on the dark side of the moon where its wounded members are being treated. Athrun Zala meets with Captain Gladys to discuss their next move. Meanwhile, the Archangel is also in space on its way to Orb, where Kira and Cagalli are from.

The episode switches to a flashback of Athrun during the previous war. He is seen walking on a beach with his girlfriend, Lacus Clyne. Lacus shows him a peace treaty she has drafted that outlines how the Earth and space colonies will coexist. They are interrupted when two men approach them, promising Athrun's father, a high-ranking Z.A.F.T. officer, a spot in the new government if they support the Earth forces and abandon their alliance with Orb.

Back in the present, Athrun is seen staring out into space, lost in thought. He remembers his father joining the Earth forces and their last conversation, where his father tells Athrun that his decision was for the family's future. Athrun reflects on his own decisions and where they have led him.

The Archangel is suddenly attacked by the Earth forces and has to defend itself. During the battle, Kira detects a presence on one of the enemy ships and precedes to destroy the cockpit to prevent further attacks. However, he soon realizes that the presence was a civilian. Cagalli, who is the leader of Orb, receives the news that the Earth forces are planning to invade her city and she gives the order to prepare for war.

Back on the Minerva, the crew is discussing their next move when they come across a Titan ship, the Girty Lue. The Girty Lue is a ship from the previous war, which has a gruesome past. Athrun, who is familiar with the ship, shares that it was responsible for killing many Z.A.F.T. members, including his own mother. The crew decides to investigate the Girty Lue, but once they board, they are met with resistance. The ship's commander declares that they have received a new order, which is to capture Athrun and bring him to the Earth forces.

The episode ends with the battle between Athrun and the Earth forces intensifying. Athrun is seen trying to make a decision about his future, whether he should fight for Z.A.F.T. or fight for himself. The Blood-Stained Sea highlights the internal struggle that Athrun is facing and the decisions he must make for his future. It also sets up the tensions that exist between Z.A.F.T. and the Earth forces, a theme that will continue to play out throughout the series.