Ep 35. Divine Thunder

As tensions continue to mount between the Earth Alliance and the Orb Union, Athrun Zala finds himself questioning his loyalties. After having witnessed the destruction of the neutral colony Heliopolis, Athrun has been forced to confront the harsh realities of war. His thoughts turn to his childhood friend Kira Yamato, a Coordinator who served aboard the Archangel during the Battle of Heliopolis.

Meanwhile, the Archangel crew are preparing for their next mission. They are to escort the Orb Union's Kusanagi-class battleship, the Eternal, to the JOSH-A military base. However, they quickly encounter resistance in the form of ZAFT's newest Mobile Suit, the Providence Gundam. A fierce battle ensues, with the Archangel struggling to hold their own against the Providence's powerful weaponry.

As the battle rages on, Athrun finds himself face-to-face with Kira once again. The two share a brief exchange, with Athrun urging Kira to reconsider his allegiance to the Earth Alliance. Kira, however, remains steadfast in his belief that he is fighting for the greater good. The battle soon takes a turn for the worse when the Providence unleashes its most devastating attack, the Divine Thunder.

Despite the Archangel's best efforts, they are unable to evade the Divine Thunder. The attack hits with full force, causing widespread damage to the ship's systems. The crew are left scrambling to make repairs as the Providence advances, intent on finishing them off once and for all. In desperation, the Archangel's captain orders a retreat, with the Eternal covering their escape.

As they regroup, the crew are left reeling from the magnitude of the Providence's attack. The realization that their enemies possess a weapon of such destructive power leaves them feeling vulnerable and afraid. The incident also brings Athrun's inner turmoil to the forefront, as he struggles to reconcile his loyalty to ZAFT with his belief in the greater good.

In the end, Divine Thunder serves as a stark reminder of the cost of war. The Archangel crew are forced to face their own mortality, as they continue on with their mission knowing that they may not make it to see another day. The episode's somber tone highlights the gravity of the situation, and sets the stage for the struggles that lie ahead.