History Recap / GundamSeedEp07TheScarOfSpace

* NothingIsScarier: What we're shown of Junius 7 is [[NightmareFuel horrifying]]. What we don't see is ''[[UpToEleven is implied to be even worse!]]''

The damaged ''Vesalius'' arrives at the ZAFT homeland. Rau and his NumberTwo, Ades, chat as they dock. Ades asks if Rau plans to bring Athrun to the inquiry; Rau says that he does, as Athrun was both an eyewitness of the event and is capable of calm, objective analysis of events. Ades points out that Orb is bound to be furious over the destruction of Heliopolis, but Rau dismisses his concerns, telling him to focus on repairing and resupplying the ''Vesalius'' as quickly as possible.

The ''Archangel'' has escaped from Artemis and slipped away from the ''Gamow''. Sai and Tolle attempt to convince Flay that she should apologize to Kira for causing him trouble by revealing that he's a Coordinator. She agrees, though reluctantly. Sai and Tolle also worry about the ''Archangel'''s position, as they were unable to resupply at Artemis.

Boarding a shuttle to the inquiry, Rau and Athrun encounter Patrick Zala, the head of ZAFT's military forces and Athrun's father. Patrick reminds both of them that his presence there is a secret, before discussing the report on the Heliopolis incident with Rau. Patrick says he agrees with most of Rau's report, but that he deleted the section on the Strike's pilot. He says that the knowledge of a Coordinator working for the enemy would only allow ZAFT's moderate faction to argue uselessly. Athrun does not look happy with this, but says nothing. Rau notices his reaction anyway, and asks if Athrun would prefer that a report labeling his friend as a traitor be released. Before he can reply, Patrick orders Athrun that he's not to contradict the report that the new Earth Alliance mobile suit surpasses everything ZAFT has... even with a Natural piloting it. Athrun says that he understands.

On the ''Archangel'', the Heliopolis recruits struggle with water rationing on the ship. In the cafeteria, Sai nudges Flay to apologize to Kira. She does so, but Kira tells her not to worry about it. On the bridge, Murrue and the bridge crew are considering the options for their route to lunar orbit. The shortest route would take them through the debris belt, an area of [[AsteroidThicket densely accumulated space junk]] in low Earth orbit, making it a dangerous choice. Mu, however, says he has an idea.

On one of the [=PLANTs=], Athrun and Rau see a news broadcast of Supreme Council Chairman Siegel Clyne commemorating the one year anniversary of the Bloody Valentine tragedy. With him in the broadcast is his [[RoseHairedSweetie pink-haired daughter]], Lacus. Rau observes that Athrun is engaged to Lacus, and that she'll be part of the Bloody Valentine memorial service. He remarks that the marriage between the children of the two leaders of ZAFT will be an inspiration to a new generation of Coordinators; Athrun thanks him for his well-wishes. At the ZAFT Supreme Council inquiry, Rau reports that the collapse of Heliopolis was not their intention, and blames it primarily on the Earth Alliance. Athrun gives a report on the capabilities of the Gundams. The council members argue that this is a sign that the Naturals plan to escalate the war and endanger the [=PLANTs=], while Chairman Clyne tries to control them.

On the ''Archangel'', Mu and Murrue explain to the crew that they plan is to take supplies from the debris belt. The crew is not enthusiastic about the idea. None the less, they launch in Mistral worker pods, with Kira in the Aile Strike as escort. They approach the ruins of Junius 7, shots of their horrified reactions to the carnage interspersed with shots of Patrick Zala's speech to the Supreme Council on the Bloody Valentine tragedy and flashbacks to the event itself. The nuclear missile hit the center of the PLANT's hourglass shape, causing the entire colony to break apart, killing exactly 243,721 people. The Heliopolis recruits search the ruins of Junius 7 for supplies, uncovering gruesome scenes while they work. Patrick Zala insists that their demands on the Earth Alliance are minor, and their actions are entirely in self-defense; Siegal Clyne just sighs resignedly.

We're shown various scenes of daily life across the PLANT, in which Lacus features prominently, seen singing on various public TV screens. Athrun drives through the PLANT with Rau, dropping him off at a ZAFT facility before continuing on to visit his mother's grave. The [[DiegeticSwitch song continues]] as the scene switches to the ''Archangel'', with the Heliopolis recruits folding a large number of origami flowers (with the help of one of the Heliopolis refugee, a young girl). In the ruins of Junius 7, Miriallia releases the bundle of origami flowers, letting them drift into the space around the wreckage. The ''Archangel'''s bridge crew stands respectfully during the ceremony; Murrue is seen clutching a [[TragicKeepsake locket]].

On one of the [=PLANTs=], Athrun and Rau see a news broadcast of Supreme Council Chairman Siegel Clyne commemorating the one year anniversary of the Bloody Valentine tragedy. With him in the broadcast is his pink-haired daughter, Lacus. Rau observes that Athrun is engaged to Lacus, and that she'll be part of the Bloody Valentine memorial service. He remarks that the marriage between the children of the two leaders of ZAFT will be an inspiration to a new generation of Coordinators; Athrun thanks him for his well-wishes. At the ZAFT Supreme Council inquiry, Rau reports that the collapse of Heliopolis was not their intention, and blames it primarily on the Earth Alliance. Athrun gives a report on the capabilities of the Gundams. The council members argue that this is a sign that the Naturals plan to escalate the war and endanger the [=PLANTs=], while Chairman Clyne tries to control them.

On one of the [=PLANTs=], Athrun and Rau see a news broadcast of Supreme Council Chairman Siegel Clyne commemorating the one year anniversary of the Bloody Valentine tragedy. With him in the broadcast is his [[RoseHairedGirl pink-haired]] daughter, Lacus. Rau observes that Athrun is engaged to Lacus, and that she'll be part of the Bloody Valentine memorial service. He remarks that the marriage between the children of the two leaders of ZAFT will be an inspiration to a new generation of Coordinators; Athrun thanks him for his well-wishes. At the ZAFT Supreme Council inquiry, Rau reports that the collapse of Heliopolis was not their intention, and blames it primarily on the Earth Alliance. Athrun gives a report on the capabilities of the Gundams. The council members argue that this is a sign that the Naturals plan to escalate the war and endanger the [=PLANTs=], while Chairman Clyne tries to control them.

* HomageShot: Lacus's exit from her escape pod at the end of this episode was a nod to Lalah Sune's exit from Char's shuttle in episode 34 of ''Anime/MobileSuitGundam''.

* AsteroidThicket: The debris belt. A more {{Justified}} example than most, as it's artificial rather than natural.

Kira returns to the ''Archangel'' with the pod, where Natarle remarks that he seems to have a habit of bringing things he finds back to the ship. The chief mechanic opens the pod; a pink [[SeriesMascot Haro]] floats out, followed by none other than Lacus Clyne.

The ''Archangel'' has escaped from Artemis and slipped away from the ''Gamow''. Sai and Tolle attempt to convince Kai that she should apologize to Kira for causing him trouble by revealing that he's a Coordinator. She agrees, though reluctantly. Sai and Tolle also worry about the ''Archangel'''s position, as they were unable to resupply at Artemis.

On the ''Archangel'', Mu and Murrue explain to the crew that they plan is to take supplies from the debris belt. The crew is not enthusiastic about the idea. None the less, they launch in Mistral worker pods, with Kira in the Aile Strike as escort. They approach the ruins of Junius 7, shots of their horrified reactions to the carnage interspersed with shots of Patrick Zala's speech to the Supreme Council on the Bloody Valentine tragedy and flashbacks to the event itself. The nuclear missile hit the center of the PLANT's hourglass shape, causing the entire colony to break apart, killing exactly 243,721 people. The Heliopolis recruits search the ruins of Junius 7 for supplies, uncovering gruesome scenes while they work. Patrick Zala insists that their demands of the Earth Alliance are minor, and their actions are entirely in self-defense; Siegal Clyne just sighs resignedly.