"Semi-Autonomous" is not in the list (Mass Production, Custom, Prototype, Limited Production) of allowed values for the "Production Type" property."Plant Ship" is not in the list (Battleship, Cruiser, Heavy Cruiser, Light Cruiser, Destroyer, Carrier, Transport, Escort Ship, Mother-ship, Frigate, ...) of allowed values for the "Ship Type" property.
The Plant Ship "Minaret" is a semi-autonomous plant ship utilized by the Principality of Zeon and the Chimera Corps during the One Year War in the Universal Century timeline. The ship comprises of the engineering support team "Hydra", ace pilots from the Chimera Corps, and support engineers and mechanics from Zeonic, Zimmad, and MIP. It is first mentioned in the video game Mobile Suit Gundam Side Story 0079: Rise From the Ashes where it housed the bio-weapon "Ashtaroth", and subsequently makes its first official appearance in MSV:R The Return of Johnny Ridden, followed by an in-game cutscene in Mobile Suit Gundam U.C. ENGAGE.
History[]
The Minaret is a self-sustaining plant ship specifically made for mobile suit modification, equipped with a compact version of the repair and modification system that birthed the Principality of Zeon MS variation group. It is designed more like an asteroid base than a ship, and is based in space where it follows a set of algorithmic randomised coordinates to evade capture from organisations seeking to acquire it for personal interest. Its estimated whereabouts are only accessable via the Zanzibar-class Sangre Azul hidden in the radioactive wasteland of Jaburo, where the onboard processing computer Delphi calculates the current flight plan of the Minaret.
To maintain absolute secrecy of its location, the Minaret randomises its flight path and reduces exhaust flames from its thrusters to prevent detection. As the ship is semi-autonomous, it only requires regular refuelling of its engines to continue functioning. The refuelling is carried out by Themis, an organisation led by former Chimera Corps ace sniper Jacobius Node.
In the manga MSV-R: The Return of Johnny Ridden, the Minaret contains an invaluable database of weapons research and military secrets, including the Zabi family's Instrument of Revenge, Ashtaroth. The largely-unknown bio-weapon capable of planetary-wide ecosystem destruction was said to be housed within the depths of the Minaret, which formed a four-way power struggle between factions seeking to acquire it.
The ship was also home to the 31 ace pilots of the Chimera Corps, serving as a stronghold for maintenance and extensive modification of their mobile suits. Custom MS and pilot suit equipment produced for ace pilots could be manufactured within two days of the request.
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