Minor Deus Ex characters
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This guide details the role and background information of minor characters appearing in the video game Deus Ex.
Contents |
[edit] UNATCO employees
[edit] Janice Reed
Janice Reed is the secretary of UNATCO's director Joseph Manderley, and as such her desk is located in the waiting area next to the Director's office; this is also the only place she is ever seen in the game. She is supportive of the official UNATCO political position. Early in the game her stance towards protagonist JC Denton is friendly, but as Denton moves away from the UNATCO way of doing things, she scolds him. Killing her has no influence on the overall plot.
[edit] Sergeant Michael Berry
Sgt. Berry is a UNATCO field operative. Being one of the highest ranked NCOs based on Liberty Island, his tasks will generally involve rallying the troops and relaying orders from command into the field. Berry takes a zero-tolerance stance when dealing with those who would dare question the actions of the government, and will label opponents of governmental procedure as traitors. Due to this fierce and unquestioning nature, Berry has risen through UNATCO's lower ranks far quicker than his less obedient comrades, as Manderley applauds such unwavering loyalty in his underlings. Unlike his colleague, Corporal Collins, Berry is a strong proponent of President Mead's distribution strategy, believing that those in places of power must always come before those who are not, as society would collapse without powerful leadership and important figures to uphold civil stability.
Berry attended the academy alongside JC's older brother, Paul, and has been a close friend of the latter ever since. Recently, as Paul has received an increasing amount of criticism from his rivals within the unit and elsewhere, such as Gunther Hermann, Anna Navarre and Walton Simons, Berry has spent much of his time and credibility defending Paul's failings from his precarious position as a lowly trooper, in danger of being effortlessly transferred or demoted by Paul's enemies for doing so. Berry is also one of the strongest supporters of UNATCO's hardline stance regarding the NSF threat and would happily see every member swiftly executed for their crimes. This is in stark contrast to Paul's permanent standing orders of "necessary force only" when confronting the enemy, of whom Paul is actually a clandestine member, working alongside Juan Ivanovich Lebedev and Tracer Tong with the NSF, the same group that Berry so strongly despises.
After JC's defection to the NSF, Berry is nowhere to be found within UNATCO headquarters. When Paul reunites with Tracer Tong and his brother in Hong Kong, he mentions that Berry and several others were dismissed as part of Walton Simons' overhaul of UNATCO.
[edit] Tech Sergeant Kaplan
Tech Sergeant Kaplan is a UNATCO field operative appearing in the Liberty Island locale in the game, in front of the UNATCO headquarters. Kaplan illegally sells equipment stolen from the armory to the player. This equipment is supplied to him by UNATCO employee "Shannon", who steals the items for him.
Kaplan is later discovered and interrogated by FEMA Director Walton Simons and according to Sam Carter "squealed like a pig". He is later discharged. Kaplan is voiced by Alexander Brandon.
[edit] Corporal Collins
Corporal Collins is the first UNATCO officer encountered by JC Denton upon arrival at the Liberty Island facility after completion of his academy training. Through an extended conversation, the player gets to know that Collins has his doubts about whether the UNATCO policy is correct, and that he seems sympathetic towards Paul Denton going AWOL. After Paul and JC's defection and escape from UNATCO's headquarters, Collins is nowhere to be found.
[edit] Private Lloyd
Lloyd is a rookie UNATCO operative, at the lowest rung of the unit's hierarchy. Lloyd's job is watching the front doors of the headquarters from behind his desk.
It becomes apparent throughout JC's brief stint as a UNATCO operative that Private Lloyd has a deep respect for the Denton brothers, particularly JC, whom he steadfastly defends when his comrades begin to doubt the latter's combat abilities. Lloyd also applauds JC's strategies, mentioning that his penchant for simply slipping past enemy troops and utilising stealth tactics is a smart approach to the situation. When JC is assigned to an assassination mission in Hong Kong, Lloyd mentions UNATCO historically transfers "people they aren't sure of". He also advises JC not to be seen with the "wrong" triad, as this was the mistake his brother, Paul, had made whilst in Hong Kong earlier that week. After JC defects UNATCO, Lloyd appears hostile. Killing him doesn't influence the plot or outcome of the game.
[edit] NSF personnel
[edit] Leo Gold
Gold is an officer of the NSF, entrusted with the group's attack on Liberty Island. Although successfully accomplishing his mission, Gold and many of his men are unable to escape the island before UNATCO's forces blockade outgoing vessels and lay siege to its perimeter. JC is tasked by UNATCO with Gold's capture or elimination, and is asked by his brother, Paul, to utilize non-lethal force only. JC encounters Gold at the top of the ruined Statue of Liberty. Gold does not try to kill JC, instead stating that he is not a soldier, but rather just another citizen concerned with the plight of his country and its people. Depending on JC's attitude, Gold will debate the morals of UNATCO's actions, or he will become angered and pull his sidearm if threatened by JC.
Although JC does find truth in Gold's argument, he believes the NSF are inciting mass-hysteria needlessly, and takes Gold's words as little more than paranoid NSF rhetoric. If Gold is arrested by UNATCO's troops, he will later be executed by Majestic-12, and JC will be accused of his murder as Walton Simons and Bob Page further attempt to close in on JC's whereabouts.
[edit] Juan Ivanovich Lebedev
A wealthy leader of the NSF, as well as one of its chief financial backers, Lebedev owns a private terminal at LaGuardia International Airport in New York. He masterminds the operation in which the NSF steal the "Ambrosia" vaccine from UNATCO and FEMA and attempt to have it transported to Tracer Tong for it to be synthesized and mass-produced in Hong Kong. However, JC Denton manages to locate and seize Lebedev's terminal along with the Ambrosia supplies. JC meets his brother Paul near Lebedev's aircraft, where it appears Paul has been with the NSF for a while, and begs JC to talk to Lebedev, as he will be able to convince him to do the same.
Lebedev offers JC valuable information regarding his parents, the truth behind UNATCO and the Majestic 12 conspiracy. The player is given the option of killing Lebedev, killing Agent Navarre, or letting Navarre kill Lebedev. Another possibility is to block Anna's path to Lebedev's bedroom, allowing the player to spare both of their lives. JC is later framed for his murder in public news bulletins, even though his death is not mentioned elsewhere in the game.
[edit] Decker Parkes, Erin Todd and Wayne Young
Parkes, Todd and Young are three high-ranking NSF officers participating in the "Ambrosia" hijack operation orchestrated by Paul Denton and Juan Ivanovich Lebedev. The three are never physically present during the game, and are seemingly one step ahead of JC Denton at every point of his mission. Their experiences and actions are made known through the various datacube diaries and standing operational orders left at each given objective for relay to the troops holding the rearguard defence as the NSF forces conduct a strategic retreat. Decker Parkes is the highest ranking officer of the three, and seems to be Juan Lebedev's most experienced lieutenant and supreme commander of the NSF's field operations throughout the mission. Erin Todd and Wayne Young are romantically involved and appear to be platoon commanders operating directly under Parkes' authority.
The three move throughout each locale encountered in gameplay during JC's short stint as a UNATCO operative, initially assisting the Liberty Island offensive alongside Leo Gold, and eventually making their escape via speedboat to Castle Clinton. They then move through Hell's Kitchen, arming civilians that express interest in the NSF's cause, and after this, through the warehouse district to assist in erecting automated defenses and traps to slow UNATCO's drive towards JoJo Fine's generator facility. At some point, the trio separates, Erin Todd joins Paul Denton and helps coordinate the transport of the "Ambrosia" vaccine through the subway system, whilst Young and Parkes attempt to alert the NSF's allies of UNATCO's imminent raid and doubtless capture of sensitive intelligence from the NSF's mainframe at their warehouse headquarters in Hell's Kitchen. They fail to do so, having to make a hasty escape, as Lebedev mentions in a datacube that UNATCO's counterattack had been far quicker and even more merciless than he had originally predicted. Parkes manages to leave instructions detailing the activation of the emergency transmission signal, which is then sent by JC after he abandons UNATCO.
After Lebedev's forces are overrun at LaGuardia Airport and the "Ambrosia" vaccine is recaptured by UNATCO's troops, the trio are reunited and forced into hiding. Initially planning their escape onboard Lebedev's private Boeing 747 airliner, they are instead forced to pay The Smuggler to help them in their escape from New York. Following the discovery of their identities, Majestic 12 attempts to track down and eliminate Parkes, Todd and Young. However, Smuggler manages to successfully transport all three to safety, with Parkes sending him an e-mail of gratitude at a later point in the game. It is believed they escaped to Paris, France as they are all listed in a Majestic 12 "Compromised Individuals List", which specifically details the attempted tracking of known enemy operatives who pose a serious threat to the organization.
[edit] Miguel
Miguel is an NSF foot soldier with a Spanish accent who was captured and sent to the MJ12 base. While there, he managed to procure a combat knife, which he kept hidden from the guards. When the player (JC Denton) arrives and is freed by Daedalus, he has the option of opening Miguel's cell and speaking to him. Miguel mentions he is armed with a knife and wants to be set free, and the player may allow him to come, tell him to stay in his cell, or just tell him to make a mad dash towards safety. If Miguel is allowed to follow JC, he will cover his back and may be told when to stay close to JC, when to stay at a point, and when to run. If Miguel survives to get to the helicopter, there is no reward except a warm thanks from Miguel.
[edit] The Illuminati
[edit] Harley Filben
Harley Filben is a triple agent. Posing as a local informant for UNATCO, Filben is actually an NSF and Illuminati operative. During the attack on Liberty Island, Filben assists JC Denton's efforts to infiltrate the Statue of Liberty by providing him with a key for access to the main entrance. This is, in actuality, the most difficult method of intrusion and Filben is well aware of this fact. Coming dangerously close to exposing his cover, Filben will ask that JC spares the life of the NSF commander, Leo Gold, explaining that Gold provides much of the information gathered by Filben and sold to UNATCO, although this is almost certainly a lie. Filben appears to be a homeless derelict, although this may not be entirely true. His grimy and unkempt appearance ensures a low level of suspicion or curiosity by law-enforcement officers and UNATCO operatives when seen loitering around areas or in buildings not usually frequented by the average citizen. He is strongly opposed to President Mead's "Ambrosia" distribution strategy and has difficulty containing his frustrations and anger even when engaged in conversation with UNATCO personnel.
JC comes across Filben on numerous occasions during his time in Hell's Kitchen, and whilst Filben is willing to assist JC as a UNATCO operative (for a price), he becomes much more sympathetic after JC's defection to the NSF.
[edit] Lucius DeBeers
Lucius DeBeers, the former head of the Illuminati, is now kept in life support equipment in a secret room of Morgan Everett's residence in Paris. DeBeers is not only extremely old, but he also suffers from a terminal illness and thus must be preserved in a semi-suspended cryonic state to survive. DeBeers was the man responsible for the power and success afforded to the Illuminati during the 20th century, and his exploits ultimately led to the Illuminati's golden age. He once had global corporate and political leaders obeying his every whim, and commanded his large and faceless organization from the shadows of society with absolute authority and respect—DeBeers strongly implies that the Illuminati orchestrated the Kennedy Assassinations after the brothers became troublesome, whilst expressing contempt that Everett did not deal with a recalcitrant young Bob Page in a similar fashion. After a rapid decline in health, DeBeers was forced to appoint Everett as acting commander in his stead and await the advance of medical technology to cure his fatal condition.
DeBeers believes Everett's promise that he will be restored to full health and resume command of the Illuminati once medical science advances sufficiently to cure him. However, Everett informs JC Denton that the technology in question has existed for decades, and that he has absolutely no intention of returning authority to Lucius DeBeers. In fact, Everett now only preserves DeBeers in order to benefit from his advice. Denton is given the opportunity to inform DeBeers of Everett's true intentions. If this option is chosen, DeBeers will become enraged and demand that JC deactivate his life-support system. DeBeers's death will annoy Everett, although it will not affect the outcome in any significant way. The whole encounter can be entirely avoided, and serves merely to give background information on the Illuminati, and also to shed some light of Everett's character and trustworthiness.
[edit] Silhouette
[edit] Nicolette DuClare
Nicolette DuClare is the daughter of Elizabeth DuClare, a former leading member of the defunct Illuminati. She plays a small but vital role in the course of the JC's mission.
[edit] Chad Dumier
Dumier is the leader of the French resistance movement, Silhouette, and also the lover of Nicolette DuClare. JC encounters him when exploring the catacombs under the city of Paris.
[edit] X-51
[edit] Dr. Gary Savage
Dr. Gary Savage is the leader of the team that defected from Majestic 12 once they found out MJ12's sinister intentions. He is the head of X-51, a well-armed and heavily fortified team of scientists, technicians and ex-United States Army soldiers once based at Area 51, but now located at Vandenberg Air Force Base, posing as a research consortium. When in the employment of MJ12, he led the nano augmentation research project at Area 51. Currently his team finds itself in constant skirmishes with the forces of Majestic 12. Being the only other institution with a Universal Constructor, his team holds the only hope for a possible cure to the Gray Death. The name X-51 is chosen to sound like 'ex-51', as all the scientists were employees at Area 51.
[edit] Tony Mares
Tony Mares is a former MJ12 scientist now with of X-51. When the Vandenberg base is attacked by MJ12, Mares locks himself in the communications block along with two technicians and another scientist. He gives JC Denton information and indication on how to reach Gary Savage in the control room of the main facility.
[edit] Carla Brown
Carla Brown is a former MJ12 scientist and member of X-51. While she was in the employment of MJ12 at Area 51 her team conducted the open air tests of the grey death virus on a nearby highway. During the attack on the X-51 Vandenberg facility, Brown escapes to the rooftop of the Command building, where she is pinned down by two MJ12 snipers. She is saved by the arrival of JC Denton. She informs JC of the situation and asks him to turn on the auxiliary power so that the X-51 military bots can be reactivated.
[edit] Stephanie Maxwell
Stephanie Maxwell is a former MJ12 scientist and member of X-51. During the attack on the X-51 Vandenberg facility, Maxwell was captured by an MJ12 trooper outside the security doors of the Control room. She was then ordered to place crates of explosives outside the door in an attempt to break open the door and capture Dr Gary Savage. She refused and would have been shot if it were not for the arrival of JC Denton who took out the trooper. Maxwell informs JC of the situation and gives JC the login and password to the X-51 defence system. Further prompting by the player reveals that she is pro NSF and proposed that the X-51 co-operate fully with the NSF. This would mean the NSF basing a force at Vandenberg. She claims that X-51 being completely overrun by MJ12 is what they get for not having a militia.
[edit] Tiffany Savage
Daughter of Gary Savage. Tiffany Savage turned out to be an unlikely spy when she was sent to recover the remaining schematics to the Universal Constructor. She succeeded in infiltrating the Majestic 12 Ocean Lab in Pasadena, CA, but was eventually captured and held hostage. The Ocean Lab fell under X-51's control after JC obtained the remaining Universal Constructor schematics and eliminated all resistance inside. Depending on the player's actions, JC can rescue Tiffany or allow her to be executed by MJ12. She is voiced by Ellen Loci.
[edit] The Triads
[edit] Gordon Quick
The Luminous Path's Dragon Head. He can be found personally guarding the entrance to the Luminous Path's compound. Not much is known about him except that he and his triad provide safe harbor and an operating base for Tracer Tong. He tells JC Denton about Maggie Chow's manipulation of the Triads and how to stop her (by proving to Max Chen that it was her that murdered the Red Arrow's former leader and tricked them both into a triad war). A sub-plot removed from the final release of Deus Ex was Gordon's love for the daughter of Max Chen. While cut, it is still referenced to in his diary, in the Luminous Path compound. He is voiced by Rick Spiegel.
[edit] Max Chen
Chen is the newly appointed "Dragon Head" or "Mountain Master" of the "Red Arrow" triad. He commands and controls his syndicate from within the "Lucky Money" nightclub, which serves as a legitimate front company for the Red Arrow's illicit activities. Chen has prominent influence throughout the affluent Wan Chai District of Hong Kong, where the Red Arrow holds significant sway over its long time rivals, the "Luminous Path" triad. Chen's predecessor was murdered by Maggie Chow, a member of the Majestic 12 organization, which sought to weaken the two triads by plunging them into full-scale warfare. Chow blamed the murder of the Red Arrow's leader on the Luminous Path, thereby successfully turning the rival factions against one another. This conflict lead to several brutal confrontations, with both groups suffering casualties. With neither Max Chen nor Gordon Quick wishing to relinquish ground to the opposition, the Luminous Path sympathizer, Tracer Tong, set a series of plans into motion in an attempt to halt the conflict before it became a prolonged and bloody war.
Tong had his newest ally, JC Denton, act as a go-between for the two factions, with JC confronting Chen at the "Lucky Money" to reveal the truth behind the ongoing conflict. Chen, who wished to resolve the conflict if possible, asked that JC procure the "Dragon's Tooth" sword stolen at the time of his predecessor's murder, to help prove his theory. After JC returned with the sword, Chen quickly called a ceasefire between the Red Arrow and the Luminous Path. Chen and Quick then conduct a ceremony designed to return the two factions to the uneasy truce which had long prevailed before Majestic 12's interference.
Max Chen is the father of Lin-May Chen, the High Augur of The Order, appearing in the Deus Ex sequel; Deus Ex: Invisible War. Max Chen is voiced by Rick Spiegel.
[edit] Allies
[edit] Jordan Shea
Jordan is the owner and operator of the "Underworld Bar" in Hell's Kitchen. A former UNATCO operative, Shea worked alongside Gunther Hermann and Anna Navarre during the "mech-aug" era. Although no specific reason is given for why she resigned from the service, her hostility is openly apparent when JC Denton mentions that he is "in the business". Jordan then retorts with an unimpressed remark, wishing him an insincere good luck with his "business", indicating that she is now strongly opposed to UNATCO's operations and personnel, no doubt due to her experiences with Hermann and Navarre in combat.
Shea allows JoJo Fine's associates to search for potential Ambrosia customers within her bar, indicating that she is opposed to the current distribution strategy enforced by the NYPD and UNATCO. Shea will sometimes provide JC with useful information depending on their relationship. Although not JC's enemy, Shea keeps a sawn-off shotgun below the bar and is more than willing to use it if the player continually harasses or attacks her customers. Shea will also engage in combat with the player if the player brandishes a weapon within Shea's view, as this action violates the rule of no weapons while in the bar (the rules displayed on a sign clearly marked at either end of the bar's exits).
Like almost every other character in the game, Jordan Shea can be killed by the player. If this is done before the player's last visit to New York, one of the Underworld's customers will remark that "Someone waxed the bartender" and that drinks are now free. Other than this, there is little to no effect on the overall plot or gameplay. Like her UNATCO counterparts, Shea's body is implanted with an explosive device that will detonate upon her death.
[edit] Sandra Renton
Sandra is the daughter of Gilbert Renton, the owner and operator of the run-down "Hilton Hotel" located in Hell's Kitchen. Due to the 'Ton's declining profits, Sandra has been tasked with maintaining the hotel in place of paid employees while her father works reception. Cleaning up the mess left by prostitutes, thugs and junkies on a daily basis has left Sandra despising her lot in life and she seeks to escape the 'Ton by any and all means necessary. When Sandra agrees to work for local thug and part-time NSF operative, JoJo Fine, Gilbert becomes enraged and the two begin a bitter dispute which ultimately leads Sandra to abandon her father and the 'Ton to live wherever she can get by, which is usually in abandoned buildings and crackhouses. As one of JoJo's working girls, she is exploited, beaten, abused and threatened by JoJo's enforcers, who force her to receive clients at all hours of the day. Eventually, the abuse becomes too much for Sandra, and she attempts to escape JoJo's clutches by hiding away with her friend and colleague, Janey. One of JoJo's enforcers, Johnny, eventually locates and corners Sandra as she attempts to find the secret entrance to Smuggler's hideout to plead for his assistance in escaping New York. Johnny attempts to force Sandra to continue receiving clients, but is met with resistance by Sandra, who refuses to sell herself for JoJo's gain any further.
Sandra's fate depends upon the actions of the player. JC Denton will arrive shortly before Johnny attempts to kill Sandra for refusing to comply with his demands. If the player does not to intervene, Sandra will be killed. Should the player rescue Sandra, she will provide information pertaining to the location of Smuggler's lair in return for assisting her. Ultimately, Sandra may reunite with her father, or flee New York, intending to head to Eugene, Oregon. En route, she meets the player near a gas station at Vandenberg Air Force Base, when he is sent to rescue Tiffany Savage, or yet be killed later in gameplay. Her fate depends heavily on the player's actions and decisions when interacting with Sandra and Gilbert during the Hell's Kitchen levels.
[edit] Gilbert Renton
Gilbert Renton is the owner and operator of a neglected, old hotel in the middle of crime-ridden Hell's Kitchen. Although actually the "Hilton Hotel", the building is often referred to as the 'Ton by its residents and locals, because the first three letters on the sign are burned out. The building is inhabited by a myriad of undesirable occupants; junkies, criminals and vermin pass through the 'Ton on a regular basis, and not all are welcomed openly by Gilbert. Paul Denton, JC Denton's older brother, is a permanent resident of the 'Ton and one of Gil's favored tenants. Due to its poor location and declining rate of business, the 'Ton Hotel does not have any official employees, instead Gil's daughter, Sandra, is charged with maintaining the crumbling building alone whilst her father attends the desk, much to her chagrin. Becoming increasingly tired and fed-up with her situation, Sandra abandons her father and the 'Ton, choosing to sell herself on the streets as one of JoJo Fine's many poorly treated prostitutes. Sandra's reckless decisions and precarious situation have left Gilbert an emotional and psychological wreck, as he constantly fears for her safety and pleads with her at every turn to stay well clear of JoJo and his thugs. In an act of desperation, Gil offered his daughter a well-paid position attending the 'Ton's desk, which she emphatically declined.
Although not a politically active individual, Gilbert's perception of the NSF is severely skewed when he finds himself and his beloved 'Ton Hotel in the middle of a hostage crisis brought about by a handful of desperate NSF troopers intent on slowing UNATCO's advance at all costs. At a later period, the 'Ton Hotel is once again forcefully occupied, this time by Sandra's former employer, JoJo Fine. Determined not to allow his daughter and the 'Ton to become the property of a lowlife criminal such as JoJo, Gilbert plots to take matters into his own hands. There are many alternative ways in which Gilbert's story can play out, generally depending on Sandra and Gil's decisions and/or status after interaction with the player at a previous point in the game. The 'Tons fate is eventually sealed when a UNATCO incursion force, by order of Majestic 12, attempts to eliminate the Denton brothers in a raid on Paul's apartment. The subsequent firefight involving heavy smallarms and explosives encompasses the entire 'Ton Hotel, leaving the building badly damaged and unsafe for its remaining occupants. Gilbert is forced to have the building condemned, mentioning a new start somewhere far from New York.
[edit] "The Smuggler"
An infamous weapons trafficker, The Smuggler; as he is known to his clientele, is a man often approached when in need of a low-cost and untraceable alternative to the legitimate but expensive biometrics and firearms industries. Smuggler is a highly intelligent, curious and careful individual, being very fond of books and learning, as well as being described as "whacked-out paranoid" by UNATCO's Alex Jacobson. He is also an avid conspiracy theorist, and staunch supporter of the NSF's political ideals, although somewhat disillusioned by their actions. Having been pursued by law-enforcement officials for many years, Smuggler has become extremely paranoid and cautious, rarely leaving the safety and seclusion of his well fortified base-of-operations. So prudent is Smuggler that almost all of his business is conducted through fake avatars and identities over the Internet, dealing only with his closest and most trusted customers face-to-face. When JC Denton, one of UNATCO's most prized and talented new operatives, decides to confront Smuggler in an attempt to procure information regarding local NSF operations, Smuggler is hardly pleased and initially uncooperative. However, JC, with the rescue of one of Smuggler's closest friends from the clutches of Majestic 12, and various other examples of decency and honesty, manages to earn The Smuggler's trust.
After the successful rescue of his friend, Ford Schick, Smuggler offers to lower his stock's prices considerably to help accommodate JC's rather restricted budget, and further provides JC with additional information and evidence regarding the Majestic 12 conspiracy. However, after JC's defection, Smuggler becomes a prime target for UNATCO and Majestic 12 forces, due to his contact and interaction with the Denton brothers and the NSF in New York. JC's decisions further into the game eventually decide Smuggler's fate. He is either killed during a raid on his hideout, or will manage to escape the attack if tipped-off by JC. He is voiced by Khary Payton.
[edit] Antagonists
[edit] Joe Greene
A supposed tabloid journalist, Joe Greene is as intelligent as he is cunning. Able to garner information from even the most loyal and secretive of sources, Greene is not only able to engage JC in conversation of a classified nature, but even manages to trick him into revealing scraps of information regarding UNATCO and NSF operational activities in the Hell's Kitchen region. JC soon realizes that even harmless small-talk can be as dangerous and insidious as any number of terrifying interrogation techniques when in the company of individuals such as Joe Greene.
Greene's ability to so skillfully charm information from his hapless victims is soon made clear, when it is discovered that he is actually a UNATCO agent and informant, whose objectives include gathering information pertaining to NSF cells and rebel networks operating throughout New York. JC is made aware of this fact by local sources after returning to New York in an attempt to track down former Illuminati leader, Stanton Dowd. Not willing to jump to conclusions, JC initially confronts Greene at the "Tenderloin Clinic", demanding answers regarding his connections to the government. Greene passionately denies his affiliation with UNATCO, leading JC to believe his sources may be incorrect. JC must then choose to either believe Greene's lies or call his bluff. If JC returns to his source, having instead accepted Greene's words as truth, Greene will use the opportunity to flee Hell's Kitchen and escape his untimely death. If JC decides that he is lying, Greene will pull a 10mm Automatic sidearm and attempt to escape judgement by shooting his way to out of JC's path. Greene, however, is no match for the nano-augmented protagonist.
[edit] Johnny
Johnny is one of JoJo Fine's many personal enforcers. His employer, although a member of the NSF, runs illicit operations involving narcotics, protection, arms deals and kidnapping from within the slums of New York and has at least one successful prostitution operation located within Hell's Kitchen. Janey, Sally and Gilbert Renton's daughter, Sandra, are three of JoJo's "employees" who are constantly hassled and kept under thumb by enforcers such as Johnny. Aside from ensuring that JoJo's working girls are kept in line, Johnny's job generally includes intimidation and battery. However, if any of JoJo's "clients" or employees decide to disobey procedure regarding their contractual "business" agreements, Johnny's tasks may also extend to murder in order to preserve the atmosphere of terror which drives the bulk of his employer's business. Johnny has an outwardly cool persona, appearing calm and even polite when conversing with others, although his true nature becomes apparent when agitated or tense.
As JC Denton begins his first operation for UNATCO, hunting for a local NSF generator facility run by JoJo from within the Hell's Kitchen warehouse district, he comes across a frightened Sandra Renton cornered in an alley and attempting to bargain her way out of JoJo's employment via an unsympathetic Johnny. Depending on JC's interaction or lack thereof, Sandra will be shot dead by Johnny unless the player confronts him and either frightens him away, incapacitates him or outright kills him. In return, the grateful Sandra will provide valuable information to JC regarding the location of "The Smuggler", a man who will later become a useful ally to JC and his brother, Paul.
Should JC frighten Johnny away, that action will open up the possibility of a humorous encounter upon JC's last return to Hell's Kitchen in which Johnny will be walking the streets, but upon sighting JC, scream and run away.
[edit] JoJo Fine
JoJo Fine is a two-bit pimp, drug dealer and all-round low-life coordinating his petty operations from within the poorest and most neglected areas of New York. Having deluded himself into believing that he is a highly feared and respected gangster, JoJo has become intolerably egotistical, threatening physical violence and even death to those who would dare question his authority. JoJo is also a NSF officer, due to the manpower and knowledge of Hell's Kitchen he is capable of providing to its cause, as the NSF command favour sending JoJo's thugs on high-mortality operations in place of their own troops. JoJo is more than happy to supply the NSF with his men, provided they continue to pay his asking price in return. Due to his mercenary nature, criminal background and lack of even the slightest semblance of moral integrity, JoJo is despised amongst his NSF colleagues and is tolerated solely due to the fact that the actual NSF forces within Hell's Kitchen are already spread too thinly to coordinate effective combat operations against UNATCO forces in the region. Capable of providing the manpower necessary for the defence of priority sectors, JoJo is tasked with the command of the NSF's generator facility, receiving generous financial support from Juan Ivanovich Lebedev for doing so, much to Lebedev's chagrin.
When the generator facility is raided by UNATCO's forces, JoJo abandons his men, leaving them to die in defence of the doomed facility as he flees to a secure location to cower for his life. After JC's defection, UNATCO alters its priorities, dropping their ongoing pursuit of remnant NSF operatives in New York in favour of hunting down and eliminating Denton instead. JoJo takes this opportunity to sever ties with his NSF allies, instead focusing on his "career" by returning to criminal activity. In JC's absence, JoJo forcefully occupies the 'Ton Hotel, Paul Denton's former residence. JC, feeling obliged to assist Gilbert Renton for the continual hospitality and generosity he provided for Paul, intervenes in the situation. Depending on the player's actions and response time, JoJo may be knocked out or killed by the player during the subsequent conflict following interaction with JoJo, although the player should be aware that one of, if not both, Gilbert and Sandra Renton may also be killed during the ensuing firefight.
Should the player save Sandra Renton from Johnny, one of JoJo's thugs, she will inform the character that JoJo's mechanical augmentations are cosmetic in nature. JoJo Fine is voiced by Khary Payton.
[edit] Maggie Chow
Maggie Chow is a famous politician and celebrity. Her popularity stems from her previous work as a kung-fu actress in the popular Hong Kong action cinema industry. Chow is not only a deadly unarmed combatant, but is also extensively trained in the use of weaponry such as the Jian, the Dao, the Ji, and the Qiang. Chow was also in a relationship with the newly appointed leader of the "Red Arrow" Triad, Max Chen, from which she bore a daughter named Lin-May Chen, who appears in the Deus Ex sequel; Deus Ex: Invisible War. She lives in a luxurious high-rise penthouse located in the affluent Wan Chai District of Hong Kong. Chow is an exceptionally greedy and deceptive individual, and this greed has been known to play part in the immoral and unethical decisions she has made in the past. Chow came to the attention of Majestic 12 when the organization sought to conquer Hong Kong and eventually China through subtle manipulation of the government and domination of its powerful Triad syndicates. Being a government official, and having an established romantic link to a high-ranking member of the Red Arrow Triad made Chow a prime candidate for employment within the organization. When she was approached and offered a position within its secretive structure, she hastily agreed, as was expected.
Chow was tasked with weakening the Triads without bringing attention to outside influence. She devised a plan to plunge the Red Arrow into war with its fiercest competitor, the "Luminous Path" Triad. Although the two factions had maintained an uneasy truce for many years, Chow realized that somehow exploiting the rivalry between the groups could easily ignite a full-scale war. To this end, Chow murdered the leader of the Red Arrow Triad and stole his most prized possession, the "Dragon's Tooth" sword, which she then offered to Bob Page as a symbol of her loyalty. Max Chen, second-in-command of the Red Arrow and Maggie's lover, was appointed to the position of "Dragon Head" and immediately assumed control of the Red Arrow. With no reason to suspect his lover's collusion in the recent events, Chen was quick to believe Chow when he was told that her sources had uncovered damning evidence of the Luminous Path having orchestrated the assassination. The Red Arrow then declared war on its rivals, leading to the deaths of many Triad members and hapless civilian onlookers in bombing attacks and street battles. It was not until JC Denton, with the help of Tracer Tong, was able to uncover the truth behind the incident that a truce was declared between the factions. Her plans ruined, Chow attempted to assassinate JC for his interference in her schemes, but was soundly defeated inside the "Universal Constructor" facility hidden within the VersaLife building.
Maggie wields a mass-produced version of the "Dragon's Tooth" sword developed by Majestic 12, but a player with his own Dragon's Tooth can eliminate her fairly easily due to faster draw speed and superior movement abilities. Killing or sparing Maggie is entirely the player's decision and will not affect gameplay.
[edit] Howard Strong
Strong is one of Majestic 12's "cleaner" operatives. Even when compared to the likes of Walton Simons and Bob Page, Strong stands out as a particularly ruthless and cruel individual. He is responsible for conducting Majestic 12's most vile and horrific wetworks operations, including the execution of witnesses, former associates and even his own colleagues who have been deemed no longer "viable" to the organization. Strong is also a sadist, and his methods can often include torture and mutilation, meaning an encounter with Strong will likely lead to a slow and painful death for an intended target. What distinguishes Strong from the many other thugs and murderers in his field of work are his additional talents, including a vast knowledge of computer software, technical operations and engineering methods, proving Strong an obviously intelligent person. This is likely the reason that he was selected by Majestic 12, as it is generally out of character for the group to employ the use of operatives without a specific position or skill to contribute to its agenda.
During the events of Deus Ex, Strong is tasked with the attack and capture of an I.C.B.M. facility. Initially infiltrating the target as an employee of the United States Missile Defense Agency and becoming familiar with its operational procedures and protocols, Strong then intended to take the facility during Majestic 12's coup d'etat attempt later in the year. However, after JC Denton, with the assistance of Morgan Everett, Tracer Tong, the NSF, and X-51, begins to seriously damage the organization's upcoming plans, Strong is ordered to hasten the plot so that the facility may be used to destroy the opposing forces. With the assistance of Majestic 12's elite commandos and troopers, Strong betrays his fellow employees, murdering almost every last member of the facility before activating a dormant warhead and beginning the launch procedure. The intended target is Vandenberg Air Force Base, the current base-of-operations of Majestic 12's greatest threat, the X-51 consortium and the "Universal Constructor" in its possession. JC Denton infiltrates the facility before Strong can finish inputting the guidance configurations necessary for maintaining the missile's flight-pattern. Strong manages to ready the warhead for launch, but is killed alongside his troops by Denton, who instead launches the missile at Area 51, Majestic 12's base of operations.
Howard Strong is voiced by Tom Hall.
[edit] Mari Hela
Mari Hela is an MJ12 "Woman in Black". She was sent to the Parisian catacombs by FEMA Director Aston Greer, and was partnered with Metropolitan Inspector Gabily. Her objective was to command the MJ12 forces in the catacombs and destroy all remaining Silhouette and Illuminati forces there. Another objective of hers was to discern the locations of Morgan Everett, Tracer Tong, Jaime Reyes, Alex Jacobson, Paul Denton (if he is still alive), and JC Denton, and kill them if they attempt to link up with any Illuminati or Silhouette personnel. She unnerved the MJ12 troopers there, to the point where they compared her and her command post to "a harpie roosting in its nest", and they noted that she seemed to "get off" by being in the catacombs. JC Denton eventually discovers Mari in her command post, flanked by two MJ12 commandos. While it is possible to simply stun her (or avoid her altogether), if JC chooses to fight Hela, she will taunt him by saying "Greetings from Walton Simons!" and pull out a pistol. Hela is equal in fighting ability to other Women in Black, and like the rest, upon termination, her body explodes.
[edit] President Mead
Philip Riley Mead is the President of the United States and, seemingly, the most powerful and influential man in the world. In actuality, Mead is simply another of Bob Page's many puppets, placed in the position of absolute power and authority to assist Majestic 12 in achieving its ultimate goal of global conquest. President Mead himself appears only once during the game, in the UNATCO founding shot during the PC version's introductory sequence, though the game's data files contain models of him, his family, Secret Service agents, as well as White House furniture, suggesting that he was originally destined to play a larger role in the game—likely during the game's White House section, which was used in initial pre-release advertising and promotion but was later cut. Mead's oppressive influence is seen and felt throughout the game when exploring areas such as Battery Park and Hell's Kitchen. A massive portion of the population has been left homeless and starving, largely the indirect result of Mead's harsh policies.
In accordance with Page's orders, Mead has also helped to ensure that the "Gray Death" has successfully spread throughout the lower-classes whilst ensuring that the wealthy and influential have remained almost entirely unscathed by the epidemic. Those wealthy few that do somehow contract the "Gray Death" are quickly administered with a small dosage of the "Ambrosia" vaccine, specifically designed to prevent the spread of the virus amongst Page's chosen social elite. Mead's policies regarding the production of said vaccine have been the target of massive media and public scrutiny, as witnessed on many occasions by JC Denton throughout gameplay, due to the extremely unfair method of distribution. The first to receive the vaccine are important political and corporate leaders, followed by wealthy individuals such as doctors, lawyers and celebrities. Finally, Page's enforcers, witting and unwitting alike, are administered with the vaccine on a monthly basis. This includes UNATCO operatives, Majestic 12 troopers, law-enforcement officers and US Military personnel.
For some time, Mead has managed to contain public speculation and anger regarding the spread of the "Gray Death" by instead focusing attention on the supposed threat of terrorist activities within the United States. The destruction of the Statue of Liberty and subsequent placement of blame on the French terrorist syndicate, Silhouette, was one of many tactics utilized by Mead to incite mass-hysteria amongst the public, avoiding the true threat in the process. However, the epidemic has recently engulfed entire regions throughout Northern America, and the public has returned its attention to the now blatantly obvious danger posed by the "Gray Death", inciting uprisings and riots throughout much of the country in an attempt to force the government's submission. As the events continue to escalate, Walton Simons informs Page that the situation is now almost uncontrollable and has Mead institute martial law throughout much of the country until Majestic 12's coup can be completed. However, this does little with Governors, National Guard troops, U.S. military personnel and the NSF uniting and rebelling against Mead. It is unknown what becomes of Mead after the events of "The Collapse".
[edit] Artificial intelligences
[edit] Morpheus
Morpheus is possibly Deus Ex's most poignant element, and a conversation with it, though not necessary to game completion, results in a much deeper understanding of the underlying themes running throughout the storyline, and especially through the Helios outcome, one of three possible conclusions to the story. A semi-hidden AI, Morpheus is found alone in an antechamber to Illuminati leader Morgan Everett's Paris apartment. Morpheus repeatedly states that it is “a prototype for a much larger system,” referring to the fact that it was a test-bed for the Echelon IV global communications and surveillance system designed by Dr. Everett, which, under his guidance, evolved into the artificially generally intelligent Daedalus entity. Morpheus, as such, was designed as a large scale heuristic data-miner and intelligent pattern recogniser, and was used by Everett as a parlour trick, in order to treat guests by having it tell them about themselves or any other subject they asked it about.
Having been in continuous operation for at least a decade, Morpheus had spent ample time absorbing information about the world and drawing intelligent conclusions from what it had learned. By the time JC encounters it, its incisive remarks indicated that it understood humanity’s evolved nature with perfect clarity. It observes humanity’s sociality, narcissism, empathy, and longing for absolution with an uncanny, child-like candour and apathy. According to a book found in the room with Morpheus, it had been recorded that the machine was recently behaving erratically; exhibiting what may be cursory signs of true self-awareness.
Unlike the other globe-spanning AIs in the game, Morpheus is confined to an isolated system, though it is equipped with a nebulous, holographic projection of a face. The presence of a virtual face was important in order to enhance the sense of interpersonal empathy that it would require in order to be most fully disarming and thereby entertaining to visitors. Morpheus is the source of one of the most oft-quoted lines from the game:
- "God was a dream of good government."
[edit] The Oracle
An extremely minor AI in the game, whose only communications appear in emails to Smuggler and Alex Jacobson, found on their computers. The Oracle is an AI that provides information to people, in return for information it does not already have. It attempts to hide its true nature in plain sight, pretending to be an automatic server that responds to messages.[1] It should be noted that the Oracle is the only AI in the entire game that does not interact with JC Denton, except on a computer in an abandoned office building.
A writer for Deus Ex, Chris Todd, has suggested that in the internet of the future, information is so concentrated that AIs may be spontaneously created in cyberspace. The Oracle is one of these AIs. The Oracle was inspired by an old Usenet phenomenon, where people would post queries to the 'Usenet Oracle' and have to answer a question from the Oracle in turn (This is referenced in-game by having the Oracle sign off each email with a question requesting trivial information such as what one had for lunch). Questions, responses and queries regarding the Usenet Oracle usually wound up in rec.humor.oracle.
[edit] Organizations
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