I hit the Perimeter map and felt that small, stupid frustration when a mission name sits on the screen but the objective refuses to show itself. South Relay looks tame on the map, then hides the bioprinters until you step almost inside their pockets of light. I learned fast that patience and position are the only cheats here.
I’m going to walk you through both Sparkleaf bioprinter locations for the Data Reconstruction contract in Marathon. I’ve spent time in South Relay with Bungie’s layout open in another tab and a controller in hand so you don’t waste the run. Read the short steps, follow the markers I describe, and you’ll have the scans done in one tidy loop.
You can spot the UESC comms antenna from the stairwell — first bioprinter location
The room under that antenna is cyan and small; that’s your cue. Enter the cyan room, don’t cross the other door, and stand just inside. If the mission marker stays coy, wait a heartbeat near the inner doorway — the scanner only shows up when you close the distance to under 20 meters.
When the marker flickers, the printer sits to the left wall. Interact and the scan registers. I’ve had runs where the marker behaved like a shy cat — it won’t show until you’re practically breathing on the doorway.
Where are the Sparkleaf bioprinters in South Relay?
Both are inside named structures in the South Relay area on the Perimeter map: one beneath the UESC antenna (the cyan room) and the other tucked behind a door off the central plaza where a white container blocks the entry. The map won’t give exact coordinates; you have to approach and trigger the marker.
The central plaza’s concrete smells faintly of ozone — second bioprinter location
Move into the central area of South Relay. From the position I marked in the image, a door will open to your left with a white container sitting in front of it — that container is the landmark. Go through that door and the bioprinter will appear on your HUD once you’re in the threshold.
Walk through, interact, and the second scan finishes the location requirement. If the HUD still hides the objective, back out a few meters and re-enter the doorway — I’ve had success forcing the marker to pop that way. Finding the printers felt like opening a locked jewelry box after you find the hidden key.
How do I scan a Sparkleaf bioprinter in Marathon?
Approach and press your interact button when the bioprinter’s prompt appears. The scan registers instantly; there’s no mini-game or extra item needed. If you’ve run Destiny 2 missions on Steam or console, it’s the same simple interaction mechanic you already use for other data nodes.
Can multiple players complete the bioprinter scans together?
Yes. If a teammate has the same Data Reconstruction contract, one bioprinter can be scanned twice — once by each player — and it will count for both contracts. That’s the fastest route if you can coordinate: two players, one printer, both contracts ticked.
I’ve used this method on runs where I’m farming contracts with clanmates; it shaves time and keeps the flow. Use voice chat or Destiny 2’s fireteam invites to sync up the scan. Which approach will you take next — solo persistence or cooperative efficiency?
