Barton Foundation

The Barton Foundation (バートン財団, Bāton Zaidan) was a powerful and influential colony-based organization that appeared in Mobile Suit Gundam Wing Endless Waltz. Headed by Dekim Barton, the foundation played a central role in planning Operation Meteor in AC 195 and later orchestrated the Mariemaia Incident in AC 196 to execute the “True Operation Meteor.” The foundation used its substantial financial resources to develop the Serpent mobile suit and deploy over 500 units in an attempt to seize control of the Earth Sphere.

Overview

The Barton Foundation represented colonial extremism—those who viewed Earth’s oppression as justification for any means to achieve independence, including genocide. Unlike the Gundam Scientists who modified Operation Meteor to eliminate colonial massacres, Dekim Barton remained committed to the original plan’s brutality.

History

Formation and influence

The Barton Foundation was a powerful figure within the Colony Alliance, which was in conflict with the United Earth Sphere Alliance. The foundation’s substantial financial resources gave it considerable influence over colonial politics and military planning.

Dekim Barton used the foundation’s resources to fund construction of Colony L3 X-18999, originally planned by the Alliance as a military colony. Construction was scheduled for completion by AC 189.

Operation Meteor planning (AC 175-195)

Dekim Barton played a central role in planning Operation Meteor, the colonial rebellion strategy intended to establish independence from Earth. The original plan involved dropping a colony onto Earth to devastate the planet, followed by deploying five advanced Gundams to seize control of the weakened planet.

However, the five Gundam Scientists—Doctor J, Professor G, Doctor S, Professor H, and Master O—modified the plan without Dekim’s knowledge, eliminating the colony drop and instead using the Gundams for surgical strikes against OZ only. When Operation Meteor was triggered in AC 195, it proceeded in a different way than the foundation and Dekim had envisioned.

X-18999 riot (AC 188)

In AC 188, a riot led by Quinze Quarante took place at X-18999. However, Dekim was the true mastermind behind the riot. His real intention was to lure out and kill Odin Lowe, the assassin who had killed colonial leader Heero Yuy (politician) on 7 April AC 175.

Dekim hired Lowe to assassinate Brigadier General Septum of the UESA, then orchestrated the riot to eliminate him. After Lowe’s death at Dekim’s hands, the military base inside the colony was destroyed by Lowe’s assistant, a nameless boy using the pseudonym “Odin Lowe Junior” (later Heero Yuy). The Alliance closed its base, repaired the colony, and paid full reparations to the citizens.

Post-Eve Wars preparation (AC 195-196)

After the Eve Wars, the citizens of X-18999 secretly allied themselves with the foundation. They diverted the reconstruction budget given to them by the Earth Sphere Unified Nation into constructing Serpent mobile suits, unaware that X-18999 was intended to be dropped onto Earth in Dekim’s version of Operation Meteor, which would have killed the colony’s entire population.

The foundation used its financial resources to develop the MMS-01 Serpent, a mass-production mobile suit designed as a simplified alternative to expensive custom units. Production lines at X-18999 secretly manufactured approximately 500 Serpent units over the course of one year.

Mariemaia Rebellion (AC 196)

In AC 196, the foundation orchestrated the “Mariemaia Rebellion,” aiming to carry out the “True Operation Meteor.” The foundation deployed over 500 Serpent units, forming the Mariemaia Army with Dekim’s granddaughter Mariemaia Khushrenada as the figurehead.

The colony requested the ESUN to increase reconstruction subsidies, and Vice Foreign Minister Relena Darlian arrived for negotiations. The meeting was a trap—Relena was captured and held hostage. Dekim intended to drop X-18999 onto Earth and place Mariemaia as a figurehead through which he could rule the planet.

The foundation deployed the Mariemaia Army to Brussels, occupying the ESUN capital with over 400 Serpent units.

Dissolution

The rebellion failed due to the intervention of the Gundam pilots, Preventers, and others. X-18999 and its population were saved through the efforts of Trowa Barton, Heero Yuy, and Duo Maxwell, who stabilized the colony.

Dekim Barton was killed by one of his own subordinates—a soldier who shot him after Dekim wounded Mariemaia. The soldier expressed sincere apologies for “betraying” Treize Khushrenada, demonstrating that even the foundation’s soldiers recognized Dekim’s goals perverted Treize’s ideals.

The continuation of the foundation after Dekim’s death is unknown, though it presumably dissolved with the Mariemaia Army’s surrender on 24 December AC 196.

Organization

The Barton Foundation was structured as a private organization with substantial financial resources. Dekim Barton served as its leader, using the foundation’s wealth and influence to pursue his vision of Operation Meteor.

The foundation maintained covert relationships with citizens of X-18999, who unknowingly participated in Serpent production whilst believing they were using reconstruction funds legitimately.

Behind the scenes

The Barton Foundation served as a plot device representing colonial extremism unchecked by moral consideration. Unlike the Gundam Scientists, who modified Operation Meteor to minimize casualties, Dekim Barton remained committed to the original plan’s genocidal nature.

The foundation’s name evoked legitimate charitable organizations, creating ironic contrast with its destructive goals. This naming pattern continued the series’ theme of subverting expectations about organizational purposes.

Appearances

The Barton Foundation appeared in:

Mobile Suit Gundam Wing Endless Waltz (OVA)
Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Episode Zero (manga)
Mobile Suit Gundam Wing: Blind Target (manga)

External links

Barton Foundation on the Gundam Wiki