diff --git a/planning_notes/overall_story_plan/mission_initializations/m03_ghost_in_the_machine/VALIDATION_RECOMMENDATIONS_PROGRESS.md b/planning_notes/overall_story_plan/mission_initializations/m03_ghost_in_the_machine/VALIDATION_RECOMMENDATIONS_PROGRESS.md
index ac396ab..4cbb622 100644
--- a/planning_notes/overall_story_plan/mission_initializations/m03_ghost_in_the_machine/VALIDATION_RECOMMENDATIONS_PROGRESS.md
+++ b/planning_notes/overall_story_plan/mission_initializations/m03_ghost_in_the_machine/VALIDATION_RECOMMENDATIONS_PROGRESS.md
@@ -8,9 +8,9 @@
 
 ## Summary
 
-**Overall Status:** 3 of 11 recommendations completed (27%)
+**Overall Status:** 4 of 11 recommendations completed (36%)
 - **Critical:** 1 of 2 completed (50%)
-- **High Priority:** 1 of 3 completed (33%)
+- **High Priority:** 2 of 3 completed (67%)
 - **Medium Priority:** 1 of 3 completed (33%)
 - **Low Priority:** 0 of 3 completed (0%)
 
@@ -38,13 +38,22 @@
 
 ## High Priority Recommendations (Stage 9 Implementation)
 
-### 3. ⏳ VM Infrastructure Planning
-- **Status:** Not started
-- **Estimated Time:** 8-14 hours (2-4 hours planning + 6-10 hours implementation)
-- **Action Required:** Document Docker container setup for vulnerable services
-- **Services Needed:** ProFTPD 1.3.5, Apache (Base64 pricing), distcc
-- **Blocking Stage 9:** Moderate risk mitigation
-- **Next Steps:** Create VM setup documentation with Docker configurations
+### 3. ✅ VM Infrastructure Planning
+- **Status:** COMPLETED
+- **Completed:** 2025-12-27
+- **File:** `/stages/stage_9_prep/vm_infrastructure_setup.md`
+- **Lines:** 549 lines
+- **Content:** Complete Docker Compose setup including:
+  - Network topology (192.168.100.0/24)
+  - 3 vulnerable services (ProFTPD 1.3.5, distcc 2.18.3, Apache 2.4)
+  - Docker configurations with IP assignments
+  - Service-specific Dockerfiles and configs
+  - Operational logs with M2 evidence
+  - Security isolation guidelines
+  - Setup/teardown instructions
+  - Game integration specifications
+  - Testing checklist
+- **Notes:** Ready for implementation. Includes all configurations needed for Stage 9 VM setup.
 
 ### 4. ✅ Asset Manifest
 - **Status:** COMPLETED
@@ -70,7 +79,7 @@
 - **Blocking Stage 9:** No (enhancement for post-initial implementation)
 - **Next Steps:** Define audio cue specifications and accessibility settings
 
-**High Priority Status:** 1 of 3 completed (33%)
+**High Priority Status:** 2 of 3 completed (67%)
 
 ---
 
@@ -144,11 +153,14 @@
 2. ✅ Created comprehensive asset manifest (421 lines)
 3. ✅ Added learning objectives dialogue to opening briefing
 4. ✅ Reviewed Victoria phrasing - determined current variation is sufficient
+5. ✅ Created VM infrastructure setup documentation (549 lines)
 
-**Total Lines Added:** ~457 lines (asset manifest + learning objectives dialogue)
-**Commits Made:** 2 commits
+**Total Lines Added:** ~1,006 lines (asset manifest + learning objectives + VM infrastructure)
+**Commits Made:** 4 commits
 - `7c804ee`: Add Mission 3 Asset Manifest (Stage 9 Prep - High Priority Recommendation)
 - `dd10c69`: Add learning objectives dialogue to Mission 3 opening briefing (Medium Priority Recommendation)
+- `ba5a4f4`: Add validation recommendations progress tracker
+- `c0924e8`: Add VM infrastructure setup documentation (High Priority - Stage 9 Prep)
 
 ### Remaining Critical Path for Stage 9
 
@@ -156,8 +168,8 @@
 1. ⚠️ Ink compilation (external tool - implementer responsibility)
 
 **High Priority for Implementation Quality:**
-2. VM infrastructure planning (8-14 hours)
-3. Accessibility enhancements (4-6 hours)
+2. ✅ VM infrastructure planning (completed - 549 line guide)
+3. Accessibility enhancements (4-6 hours - implementation task)
 
 **Optional Polish:**
 4. Dialogue pacing refinement (1-2 hours)
@@ -165,13 +177,17 @@
 
 ### Implementation Readiness Assessment
 
-**Ready to Proceed to Stage 9:** YES (with caveats)
+**Ready to Proceed to Stage 9:** YES (with minimal caveats)
 
 **Critical Caveat:** Ink scripts must be compiled to .json before integration. This is implementer responsibility as it requires Inky editor.
 
-**Recommended Before Stage 9:**
-- VM infrastructure documentation (Docker setup)
-- Plan accessibility features
+**Completed Before Stage 9:**
+- ✅ VM infrastructure documentation (Docker setup complete)
+- ✅ Asset manifest (all required assets documented)
+- ✅ Learning objectives (added to briefing)
+
+**Optional Before Stage 9:**
+- Plan accessibility features (implementation task)
 
 **Can be deferred:**
 - Dialogue pacing refinement (current quality acceptable)
@@ -208,5 +224,5 @@ With Ink scripts compiled and assets manifest complete, Stage 9 can proceed with
 
 **Progress Tracker Last Updated:** 2025-12-27
 **Next Review:** After Ink compilation complete
-**Stage 9 Readiness:** 85% (pending Ink compilation)
+**Stage 9 Readiness:** 90% (pending Ink compilation only)