Ep 21. Beyond the Clouds of Sand

During this episode of Gundam SEED, titled "Beyond the Clouds of Sand," the crew of the Archangel finds themselves stranded in the desert after their plane is severely damaged. They must find a way to repair the plane and outrun the ZAFT forces that are in hot pursuit of them.

The episode opens with the Archangel crew having a heated debate over where they should go. They know that they need to get somewhere safe, but they can't agree on where they should go. Kira suggests that they head towards the desert, where the ZAFT forces are unlikely to follow them. However, Murrue is hesitant to take her ship into the desert, as it could be badly damaged by the harsh sands and winds.

Despite Murrue's reservations, the Archangel heads into the desert, with Kira and the others working hard to keep the ship running smoothly. However, they soon run into trouble when they encounter a massive sandstorm. The storm is so intense that it damages the ship's engines and tears holes in its hull. The crew is forced to crash land in the middle of the desert, leaving them stranded and exposed to the elements.

With little food or water and ZAFT forces still in pursuit, the crew must work together to repair the Archangel and get back on the move. They scavenge for parts and supplies, using their skills to improvise and make do with what they have on hand. However, tensions are high, and disagreements begin to surface as the crew struggles to stay alive in the harsh desert environment.

As the days pass and the crew begins to lose hope, they catch a glimpse of something in the distance that renews their spirits. They see a mysterious structure rising out of the desert, beckoning to them like a beacon of hope. Desperate for a way out of their dire situation, they make their way towards the structure, determined to find out what it is and if it can help them.

As they get closer, they realize that the structure is actually a massive mobile fortress, apparently abandoned in the middle of the desert. The crew explores the fortress, uncovering all sorts of advanced technology and weapons. However, they soon discover that the fortress is not as deserted as it seems, as they find themselves under attack from an unknown enemy.

The crew fights off the assailants, discovering that they are a group of rogue Coordinators who have taken over the fortress. The Coordinators are angry and bitter, believing that they have been betrayed by the world and left to die in the desert. They see the Archangel crew as their enemies, but Kira tries to reason with them, arguing that their fight against the ZAFT forces is not so different from the Coordinators' own struggles.

In the end, the Archangel crew manages to defeat the rogue Coordinators and take control of the fortress. They use the fortress's advanced technology to repair the Archangel, and they set off again, rejuvenated and ready to continue their fight against the ZAFT forces.

"Beyond the Clouds of Sand" is an action-packed episode that showcases the resilience and determination of the Archangel crew in the face of extreme danger and adversity. The episode features stunning desert landscapes and intense battle scenes, as well as compelling character development and emotional moments that deepen our understanding of the crew's motivations and struggles. Fans of Gundam SEED will not want to miss this thrilling installment in the series.