Zaaphire Biotech facility (DXTF cut content)

Zaphire — Image of the Zaaphire facility in the game files

The Zaaphire Biotech facility located in Canberra, Australia was originally planned to be the next location to be visited in the continuation of Deus Ex: The Fall following the Panama City segment. The continuation was never released, but an early version of the mission is known from game files data in The Fall, as well as from the Deus Ex: Icarus Rising prototype.

This page documents the early version of the Zaaphire Biotech mission. Since this mission was never released, it is considered to be cut content. Additionally, the plot has major inconsistencies with the released game, and only the mission's general setting was made canon (specifically, Deus Ex: Hard Line briefly mentions that Saxon did travel to Australia, but does not mention any details of what happened there). Note that in the early version of the story, "Zaaphire" is spelled "Zaphire," while "Riezene" is spelled "Riezol."

Plot[]

After learning that Dr. Isaac Tiven created an implant in his head known as the "Argus Implant," Ben Saxon heads to Zaaphire Biotech's facility in Canberra to confront him. Previously, Ben had learned that he was carrying this implant in his head after meeting Camila and Alvaro in Panama City. (For a summary of the plot of the early version of the Panama City segment, please see the article Panama City pre-release content).

As Ben moves deeper into Zaaphire's facility, it becomes apparent that Tiven and the facility's security units were expecting him. Inside the facility, the offices have been evacuated. Heading deeper into the facility, Ben passes Zaaphire's security check point before entering the labs, where he confronts Isaac Tiven. He learns about Zaaphire's plan to go public and the rapid unethical testing they have done with Riezene to move it to market more quickly. He also learns from Tiven that the Argus Implant is a top of the line espionage device that monitors the user's location and transmits it at regular intervals. Isaac informs Ben that an old friend is waiting for him deeper in the labs.

Ben finds his squad mate, Sam Duarte, deep in Zaaphire Biotech. It seems that Sam is being recruited by the Tyrants to take Ben's place. Sam thinks Ben betrayed him and is hellbent on revenge. Before they get too far into their conversation, Jaron Namir, Lawrence Barrett, and Yelena Fedorova appear, knocking Ben unconscious. Namir was sure to let Ben know that he could kill him if he wanted to. When Ben comes to his senses, he is aboard Alex's VTOL. They trace the Tyrants and head to New York City.

For the plot summary of the next segment set in New York City, please see the article "Deus Ex: The Fall cut story content (New York City)."

Inconsistencies with the released story[]

The plot of the early mission has two major inconsistencies with the plot of the released game:

The Argus Implant, which plays an important role in the early version of the story across the Panama City, Zaaphire Biotech, and New York City chapters, was cut from the released game.
In the released game, Ben encounters Sam Duarte in Panama City and witnesses first-hand that Sam has joined the Tyrants. In the early version of the story, the reunion takes place within the Zaaphire Biotech facility, and Ben does not find out about Sam's recruitment into the Tyrants until then. Similarly, in the early version of the story, Sam does not encounter the Tyrants until being ambushed in the Zaaphire Biotech facility.

Game files data[]

The following locations and associated context data and loading images are found in the game files of the released game.^[1] Cropped loading screen images are shown in the table below, while the full loading screen images are shown in the gallery at the end of this article.

Location	Context Data	Loading Image
Zaaphire Rooftop	After learning that Isaac Tiven created the Argus Implant in his head, Ben heads to Zaphire Biotech in Australia to confront him.
Zaaphire Helipad	As Ben moves deeper into Zaphire, it is becoming apparent that they were expecting him.
Zaaphire Executive Level	Inside Zaphire, the offices have been evacuated. Instead of TPS Reports, Ben finds combat rifles.
Zaaphire Security Checkpoint	Heading deeper into the facility, Ben must get past Zaphire's security check point before entering the Labs, where Isaac Tiven most likely would be.
Zaaphire Tech Labs	Inside the lab Ben confronts Isaac Tiven. He learns Zaphire's plan to go public and the rapid unehticalsic testing they have done with Reizolsic to move it to market more quickly. Isaac informs Ben that an old friend is waiting for him deeper in the lab.
Zaaphire R&D	Ben finds his old squad mate, Sam Duarte, deep in Zaphire Biotech. It seems Sam is being recruited by the Tyrants to take Ben's place. Sam thinks Ben betrayed him and is hellbent on revenge. Before they get too far into their conversation, Namir, Barret, and Federova appear, knocking Ben unconcsioussic. Namir is sure to let Ben know that he could kill him if he wanted to. When Ben comes to,sic he is aboard Alex's chopper. They traced the Tyrants and are headed to New York.

Location names[]

The following table lists variant identifiers that are used to refer to the above locations. The leftmost column shows the location names specified in the stringtable01 internal XML file in the game data. The rightmost column shows the game script class that appears in Assembly-CSharp.dll for the given location. Compared to the New York City segment, the game scripts for the locations in the Australia segment are empty as to substantive content on mission progression.

Other data in the game file refer to the locations using the acronym VS, which stands for "Vertical Slice," a term that is used in game development to refer to a demonstrative early build of the game.

Location (stringtable01 location name)	Loading Image Filename	Context Data Location Name	Game Script
Zaaphire Rooftop	VS_Rooftop	VS - Rooftop Start	StartAustraliaRooftopStart
Zaaphire Helipad	VS_Helipad	VS - Rooftop Helicopter	StartAustraliaRooftopHelipad
Zaaphire Executive Level	VS_Exec	VS - Executive	StartAustraliaExecutive
Zaaphire Security Checkpoint	VS_Security	VS - Security	StartAustraliaSecurity
Zaaphire Tech Labs	VS_Lab	VS - Lab	StartAustraliaLab
Zaaphire R&D	VS_Ending	VS - Confrontation	StartAustraliaConfrontation

Deus Ex: Icarus Rising early builds[]

In 2015, N-Fusion Interaction released a video^[2] containing excerpt footage of an early build of the mission. In the early build, Adam Jensen's model is used as a placeholder for Ben Saxon for certain scenes. Dialogue lines for Ben and Anna use placeholder voice acting. The early build also uses an early model of Sam Duarte that depicts him as still recovering from his injuries sustained during Operation Rainbird. Despite the use of placeholder assets, the video showed that the early version of the mission was fully playable.

The footage, which shows main mission marker "M1" throughout the video, indicates that the Zaaphire facility segment was designed to be a single mission, as opposed to a city hub area with multiple main missions. It also further confirmed that the story content found in the game files was actually an early version of the story.

The 2015 video omits several key segments of the mission and also shows some areas out-of-sequence. However, in late 2023, Deus Ex: Icarus Rising build versions v0.0.7 and v0.6.1 were inadvertently released to the public, allowing the entire mission to be played.

In the following gallery, loading screen images are from the game files of version 0.6.1. Gameplay screenshots are from N-Fusion's 2015 video, a user-uploaded playthrough video of build v0.0.7,^[3] or from an Android port of that build.^[4]

Rooftop[]

Gameplay screenshots for the Rooftop and Helipad are from N-Fusion's 2015 video, except that those labeled "v0.0.7" are from Icarus Rising build v0.0.7. The video shows that this part of the mission includes an optional objective of planting a transmitter, which enables Anna to obtain the access code for the keypad to the helipad.

Helipad[]

Executive[]

All gameplay screenshots in this and next three subsequent sections are from the Android port of Icarus Effect build v0.0.7.

Security[]

Lab[]

For the full dialogue with Dr. Tiven, please see the Isaac Tiven main article. In the early Icarus Rising builds, speaking to Dr. Tiven is marked as an optional objective. The full dialogue tree with Tiven indicates that if the right option is selected, he will provide Saxon with the door access code to the next area.

Ending/R&D/Confrontation[]

Sam Duarte dialogue[]

Sam Duarte: Rend your hearts, not your garments, and return to the Lord, your God.
Ben Saxon: Sam... can you hear me?
Sam: For gracious and merciful, is He, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment.
Ben: It's me, Ben Saxon. Tell me Sam, can you hear me?
Sam: Benjamin Anthony Saxon. Former SAS squad leader. Decorated for bravery under fire. Former Belltower private security agent. Commended for excellence in command.
Saxon: Sam...
Sam: Team leader of special operations unit Strike Six. Responsible for the failure of Operation Rainbird and the death of his men. Dishonorably discharged. Disgraced. Turned rogue.
(Dialogue choice: "Rogue," "Sabotaged," or "Dishonor")
- "Rogue"
  - Saxon: Turned rogue? I guess you could call it that. But I had reasons for what I did.
  - Sam: I know the truth. Your 'reasons' for pure selfish motivation.
- "Sabotaged"
  - Saxon: No Sam. We were sabotaged. Operation Rainbird was a setup.
  - Sam: You're sure it was a setup? Of course you are. You're the one who planned it. You planned the deaths of everyone on your team, including me.
- "Dishonor"
  - Saxon: I never dishonored the unit! I did everything I could to save the team. I did everything I could to save you.
  - Sam: No one expects a coward to take responsibility for his actions. You make me sick.
(Dialogue choice: "Reconcile" or "Contempt")
- "Reconcile"
  - Saxon: Sam, you've been through so much. I'm just glad to see you're alive. I think your memory's been shaken, friend. Let's walk through it. What's the last thing you remember before the crash?
  - Sam: Alright, friend. Right after the drones you ordered shot us down you left me for dead. How's that for clarity?
- "Contempt"
  - Saxon: Maybe my memory has failed me. Why don't you catch me up then. Tell me what you think happened!
  - Sam: You leaked classified information which resulted in the extermination of your team. Tell me Ben, how much did it cost the SAF to pay you off? How much... per squad member was it?
(Dialogue choice: "Information" or "Survive")
- "Information"
  - Saxon: I don't know where you're getting your information but you're way off. I had nothing to do with Operation Rainbird being sabotaged. And I almost died trying to get you out of there.
  - Sam: He said you'd try that. You'd try to get all buddy-buddy with me. Old war pals right?
  - Saxon: Who are you talking about Sam? Who's got a hold of you?
  - Sam: I'm part of a new team now. A team with a strong leader. Someone who would die for his men. Not a coward like you.
- "Survive"
  - Saxon: Sam, I'm not going to argue with you in your current state. But you're way off. I tried to save you, but I saw you get cut down by a drone. And I barely survived myself. How did you make it out of there?
  - Sam: After you abandoned me I bled out. It seemed like days. I woke up in the hospital and I could see myself lying on an operation table. I thought maybe I had escaped my own body, like a spirit y'know? What I saw, what it really was, was my new optics tapping in. The signal was live before they were implanted. But piece by piece they put me back together. And now I'm back. I'm back Ben. Born again hard. All my weaknesses... replaced by strengths.
(Dialogue choice: "Family," "Strength," or "Namir")
- "Family"
  - Saxon: What's happened to you Sam? You're really twisted. How badly have they scrambled your brain? Don't you remember anything about your life, and who you are? You have a family waiting for your. I've spent time with them back in Costa Rica. THey're good people. And they deserve to get you back.
  - Sam: (pause) I have no memory of my family (sigh)
  - Saxon: I can help you Sam. I've got to get you out of here.
  - Sam: It's too late. It's too late.
- "Strength"
  - Saxon: If you think your new found strength is going to save you you're going to be painfully disappointed. I've been down that path Sam, and the only thing waiting for you is misery and regret.
  - Sam: You're not my CO Ben. That time has passed. You stabbed me in the back but I survived. An when I get the chance, I'm going to pull the knife out.. and stab you in the heart.
- "Namir"
  - Saxon: It's Namir. He's done this to you. He breaks people down, severs their ties to anything that makes them human, then rebuilds them into robots. Killing machines. The tools he uses to carry out his plans.
  - Sam: He saved my life.
  - Saxon: No. He's done just the opposite. He's destroyed any chance of you rejoining the human race. He's made you into a monster.
  - Sam: I guess that's just where you and I part ways old buddy.

Mission ending scene[]

Namir: I'm sorry to break up this reunion. It was a rather touching moment.
Ben: You sick bastard. You led me to believe Sam was dead just so you can control me.
Namir: Poor Ben Saxon. You're a lost man without a cause. Always sesarching for a reason to fight. You are not ready to accept your true nature. You're a killer, like me.
Saxon: You're wrong.
(Ben Saxon is hit by a tranquilizer dart fired by Yelena Fedorova)

After the screen fades to black and to the title card...

Saxon: Anna, how long was I out?
Anna: It's been about an hour.
Saxon: The tyrants were here. Sons of bitches sucker punched me.
Anna: I know. While you were out, I secured their flight plan. It says they are headed to New York.

Story-related audio[]

The following audio appears in the Deus Ex: Icarus Rising early builds, including v0.0.7.

VO_Env_TV_AustralianCivilWar – This Picus TV News Report segment plays when near a TV in the facility.

The city of Canberra saw intense fighting today when Australia's 12th commando regiment attempted to oust a group of Free State insurgents from the suburb. The pro-China rebels, who are demanding that the South Australian Federation release control of vital oil reserves and recognize the so-called legal northern government in exile, used improvised explosive devices to keep the regiment at bay. Sources close to the fighting inform me that the situation had reached a bloody standstill, when a fully augmented unit from Belltower Associates moved in. Within moments, the rebels' defenses had been penetrated and the fighting swiftly ended. Following the battle, Australian general Charles Brag thanked Belltower for assisting, declaring that this war against separatism will soon be over. Given that Belltower Associates has been contracted to send in even more augmented troops, he may very well be right. This is Eliza Cassan, reporting to you live, from Picus.

VO_Env_Zaphire_Riezol – This audio plays in certain areas of the facility.

In a world where that extra edge is the difference between victory or failure, Zaphire Biotech is here to be your edge, with our advances in cybernetic augmentations and anti-rejection drugs, being better has never been so easy. Our new flagship product, Riezol, promises to give you all the benefits of competing anti-rejection drugs and none of the withdrawal symptoms, all while costing you less. Zaphire Biotech. Better, cheaper, safer.

VO_Env_Zaphire_Office – Auto-secretary message found in the CEO's office of the Executive floor.

Jenny: Mr. Diamond? Bradley.
Bradley Diamond: Hey Jenny, I was just resting my eyes.
Pardon me sir, but I noticed something peculiar while I was preparing the quarterly statement.
Uh huh.
Our largest backer divested significantly this quarter,
and?
And a new backer invested the same amount later that day. Don't you find that strange?
Jenny, so what you're telling me is we broke even?
No it's not...
How many times transactions go through this office per day?
Brad...
How many?
Hundreds?
Exactly. Don't you think that some point in time two backers were going to invest and divest the same amount in one day?
I still think it's worth looking into.
Noted. That will be all, Jenny. Oh, and can you ask Sherryl if there are any vermillion cupcakes left that Jenkins brought us. I guess not? Oh Shoot is this thing on?

VO_Env_Zaphire_Meeting – Auto-secretary message found in the meeting room of the Executive floor.

Jenny: This budgetary meeting is being recorded for reference. August 28, 2027, 1700 hours. Proceed.
Bradley Diamond: If it's all right with everyone, I'd like to fast track this thing, so we can skip the line out of call.
Jenny: I think we're short someone. Isaac — does he know we're meeting?
Bradley: Yeah, I just got off—
Isaac Tiven: Hello, sorry to keep you waiting.
Bradley: Isaac, my man! Have a seat. Want some coffee?
Isaac: I'm fine. Thank you, Bradley.
Jenny: If we are skipping the line call, then the only thing to discuss is requisitions. Do you have your revised numbers from R&D prepared?
Isaac: I do, Jennifer, I do. You see, the last round of accelerated testing expressed a concerning trend in myelin deformation, which actually exacerbated glial buildup in some patients, but that's completely within our control. We just overstepped the bounds when we reengineered the delivery mechanisms.
Jenny: Yes, but how does that affect your projections?
Isaac: Ah, then, as one might expect, it means we require a deal of more money. These procedures are quite complicated, and the equipment is expensive. If you want to beat VersaLife at their own game, it's not going to be cheap. My numbers have been filed with accounting.
Jenny: Our projections practically double every quarter. I'm so amazed we haven't been cut off.
Bradley: Jenny, you're doing fine. If Isaac says he needs more money, then get it. Every time it looks like we're in trouble our angel investor swoop in and carry us quarter. I'm sure this quarter will be no different.
Isaac: If that is all, I really should get back downstairs. We're getting new data on hyper-glial transmission inhibitors that are really galvanizing the team. It's quite exciting.
Bradley: Keep up the good work, Isaac. Ok, Jenny, you've got your notes. I've got tickets for [inaudible] tonight, so I'm going to head out.
Jenny: The things you do to keep her busy.
Bradley: Hah, Jenny...

VO_Env_DataLog_Tiven - Auto-secretary message found in the Lab

Data log item 3064. The results from our accelerated testing program have finally reached the tipping point I knew they would despite various interferences. Riezol can't go public soon enough. I've had it with these mercenaries in the lab, using it as it please. No respect for the work. If they hadn't monopolized our recruitment to experiment on their augmented companion we would have been done months ago.

Miscellaneous images[]

The following images are found in the game files.^[5]

References/Footnotes[]

↑ Context Data is located in the mainData file located at: Steam version: Steam\SteamApps\common\Deus Ex The Fall\DeusEx_steam_Data\mainData iOS version: Deus Ex. The Fall 1.36.0.ipa\Payload\dxm.app\Data\mainData
↑ N-Fusion Interactive (Aug 19, 2015). "Deux Ex: The Fall (Initial Level Preview)". N-Fusion Interactive's YouTube Channel. The video is no longer available, but screenshots of it are available on this wiki.
↑ "deus ex icarus rising vertical slice prototype full playthrough with sound". That darn raven YouTube channel.
↑ "Deus Ex: Icarus Rising (The Fall prototype) Android port" (on Reddit)
↑ Located in the Resources game asset file.

[1] Context Data is located in the mainData file located at: Steam version: Steam\SteamApps\common\Deus Ex The Fall\DeusEx_steam_Data\mainData iOS version: Deus Ex. The Fall 1.36.0.ipa\Payload\dxm.app\Data\mainData

[2] N-Fusion Interactive (Aug 19, 2015). "Deux Ex: The Fall (Initial Level Preview)". N-Fusion Interactive's YouTube Channel. The video is no longer available, but screenshots of it are available on this wiki.

[3] "deus ex icarus rising vertical slice prototype full playthrough with sound". That darn raven YouTube channel.

[4] "Deus Ex: Icarus Rising (The Fall prototype) Android port" (on Reddit)

[5] Located in the Resources game asset file.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]