// OPERATIONAL RULES — READ BEFORE DEPLOYMENT

Rules & Help

// HOW IT WORKS

The Mission

Each mission is a chain of encrypted relay nodes. You start at Node 1 and follow the signal from node to node. Each node presents a cipher or puzzle. Solve it to progress.

Two Outputs Per Puzzle

Every puzzle you solve yields two things:

  • A destination — the name of the next node to proceed to
  • A code fragment — one piece of the final transmission code

You must collect all fragments before you can complete the mission.

The Final Code

After solving all nodes, you will be shown your collected fragments. Combine them according to the mission's assembly rule to form the final transmission code. Submit it to complete the mission and register your time on the leaderboard.

Assembly rules vary by mission. Beginner and Operative missions use discovery order. Specialist missions may require a different assembly logic — look for clues within the mission itself.

// TIMING & LEADERBOARD

The Timer

Your mission timer starts on the server the moment you accept the mission. It stops when you successfully submit your final transmission code. The timer runs server-side — closing the browser does not pause it.

Think before you accept. Once the mission begins, the clock is running.

Leaderboard

Completion times are recorded on the leaderboard per mission. Rankings are based on total time from mission accept to correct final code submission. Only your first successful completion is recorded.

// FAIR PLAY

What Is Allowed

  • Using any decode tool, reference material, or external resource
  • Inspecting page source, developer tools, and all available metadata
  • Taking notes, using paper, or working with others
  • Consulting the Field Manual at any time

What Is Not Allowed

  • Sharing final codes or specific solutions publicly while missions are active
  • Exploiting platform bugs to skip puzzle validation
  • Submitting false accounts to manipulate the leaderboard

// DIFFICULTY LEVELS

Recruit

Introductory ciphers. Each puzzle uses a well-known method with clear cluing. Good for learning the format and building confidence.

5 nodes · Discovery order assembly

Operative

More layered techniques. Some puzzles require two-step thinking. Source inspection and metadata analysis introduced at this level.

6 nodes · Discovery order assembly

Specialist

Full codebreaking investigation. Chained encoding, frequency analysis, contradiction detection, and non-obvious assembly rules. Fair, but demanding.

7 nodes · Assembly rule embedded in mission

// IF YOU ARE STUCK

Hints

Each puzzle displays a field hint below the cipher. Read it carefully — it will indicate the method required without giving away the answer.

Field Manual

The Field Manual contains reference material for every technique used across all three missions. If you encounter an unfamiliar cipher format, consult it first.

Answer Format

Answers are case-insensitive. Hyphens and spaces are treated equivalently. If your decode looks correct but is not accepted, check for extra characters, trailing spaces, or partial answers.

Example: STATION-BRAVO, station bravo, and stationbravo will all be accepted if the answer is correct.