From 27f04d601ddf6e417a722209b5d46a5e4267f5f3 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: "Z. Cliffe Schreuders" Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2026 09:46:32 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] Add Mission 3 Stage 0 completion document MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Stage 0 COMPLETE ✅ All 4 documents created (~2,900+ lines total): ✅ Scenario initialization (820 lines) ✅ Technical challenges (812 lines) ✅ Narrative themes (600+ lines) ✅ Hybrid architecture plan (700+ lines) Key Achievements: - RFID cloning mechanic fully specified - M2 connection revelation designed - The Architect introduction planned - Moral choices defined (Victoria, James) - Educational objectives mapped (6 CyBOK areas) - Campaign arc connections documented Ready for Stage 1: Narrative Structure Development Status: Stage 0 COMPLETE | Next: Stage 1 --- .../STAGE_0_COMPLETE.md | 320 ++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 320 insertions(+) create mode 100644 planning_notes/overall_story_plan/mission_initializations/m03_ghost_in_the_machine/STAGE_0_COMPLETE.md diff --git a/planning_notes/overall_story_plan/mission_initializations/m03_ghost_in_the_machine/STAGE_0_COMPLETE.md b/planning_notes/overall_story_plan/mission_initializations/m03_ghost_in_the_machine/STAGE_0_COMPLETE.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d3497e1 --- /dev/null +++ b/planning_notes/overall_story_plan/mission_initializations/m03_ghost_in_the_machine/STAGE_0_COMPLETE.md @@ -0,0 +1,320 @@ +# Mission 3: Stage 0 - Scenario Initialization ✅ COMPLETE + +**Mission:** Ghost in the Machine +**Date Completed:** 2025-12-24 +**Status:** ✅ STAGE 0 COMPLETE - Ready for Stage 1 + +--- + +## Completion Summary + +**All 4 Stage 0 documents created:** ~2,900+ total lines + +### Document 1: Scenario Initialization (820 lines) +**File:** `stages/stage_0/00_scenario_initialization.md` + +**Contents:** +- Mission overview (Intermediate tier, 60-75 min, Zero Day Syndicate, "Information Gathering: Scanning") +- CyBOK knowledge areas (NSS, SS, ACS, SOC, HF, AB) +- Complete 3-act structure preview +- Key NPCs (Victoria Sterling, James Park, Cipher, Agent 0x99) +- 4 LORE fragments with campaign significance +- Victory conditions (100%, 80%, 60% completion) +- Educational objectives (network recon, multi-encoding, intelligence correlation) +- Campaign arc connections (M1, M2, M4, M6, M7-9) +- Post-mission debrief script +- Critical decisions documented + +**Key Achievements:** +- ✅ New mechanic designed: RFID keycard cloning (proximity-based, 10s window, tutorial) +- ✅ Campaign revelation: M2 connection (ProFTPD exploit sold to Ghost) +- ✅ Architect introduction: First direct communication discovered +- ✅ Moral complexity: Victoria (arrest vs double agent), James (protect vs ignore) + +--- + +### Document 2: Technical Challenges (812 lines) +**File:** `stages/stage_0/technical_challenges.md` + +**Break Escape In-Game Challenges (5):** +1. **RFID Keycard Cloning (NEW)** - Proximity-based (2 GU, 10s), progress bar, audio/visual feedback, tutorial, social engineering alternative +2. **Lockpicking (Reinforced)** - 4 locks (IT cabinet easy, executive office medium, security room medium, safe PIN 2010) +3. **Guard Patrol Stealth (Reinforced)** - 60s loop, 4 waypoints, LOS detection (150px, 120°), timing strategies +4. **Social Engineering (Advanced)** - Victoria trust system (0-100), James intel extraction, guard cover stories +5. **Multi-Encoding Puzzle** - ROT13 whiteboard, Hex client list, Base64 email, double-encoded USB (ROT13+Base64) + +**VM/SecGen Challenges (4):** +1. **Network Port Scanning** - nmap fundamentals → `flag{network_scan_complete}` +2. **Banner Grabbing** - netcat FTP service, reveals "GHOST" codename → `flag{ftp_intel_gathered}` +3. **HTTP Service Analysis** - Base64 in HTML comment → `flag{pricing_intel_decoded}` +4. **distcc Exploitation** - CVE-2004-2687 RCE, operational logs → `flag{distcc_legacy_compromised}` + +**Integration Matrix:** 9 total challenges, difficulty scaling (Easy/Normal/Hard), educational assessment rubric, implementation priority (3 phases) + +--- + +### Document 3: Narrative Themes (600+ lines) +**File:** `stages/stage_0/narrative_themes.md` + +**Theme:** Corporate Espionage / Intelligence Gathering + +**Setting:** WhiteHat Security Services (Zero Day Syndicate front company) +- **Daytime:** Professional corporate environment (Victoria as sales lead, employees working, conference rooms) +- **Nighttime:** Espionage thriller (darkened offices, single guard patrol, infiltration tension) +- **Contrast:** Same location, two faces (legitimate business vs criminal operations) + +**NPCs Fully Characterized:** + +**Victoria "Vick" Sterling:** +- Age 38, Former NSA contractor, MIT MBA +- True believer in "free market of vulnerabilities" +- Philosophy: "Information asymmetry is market value. We don't cause failures—we reveal them." +- Voice: Professional corporate language, economic logic, ideologically committed +- Arc: Arrest (defiant, uncooperative) OR Double Agent (pragmatic partnership) + +**James Park:** +- Age 29, OSCP certified pen tester +- Genuinely believes WhiteHat is legitimate +- Function: Intel source, moral complexity character, protection choice +- Represents collateral damage of exposing entire firm + +**"Cipher":** Zero Day cell leader (referenced, not present), future villain setup + +**Agent 0x99:** Handler, tutorials (RFID, nmap, encoding), closing debrief + +**Tone:** Espionage thriller (Michael Clayton, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy) +**Stakes:** Personal (James innocence), Organizational (SAFETYNET vs Zero Day), Societal (exploit marketplace harm) + +--- + +### Document 4: Hybrid Architecture Plan (700+ lines) +**File:** `stages/stage_0/hybrid_architecture_plan.md` + +**VM Component:** SecGen "Information Gathering: Scanning" +- Validates network reconnaissance skills (nmap, netcat, distcc) +- 4 flags represent intercepted ENTROPY communications +- Stable (pre-built, unchanged for assessment consistency) + +**ERB Component:** Narrative content flexibility +- Encoded messages (ROT13, Hex, Base64, double-encoded) +- LORE fragments (client list, exploit catalog, Architect directives) +- NPC dialogues (Ink scripts) +- Environmental storytelling + +**Dead Drop Integration:** VM flags unlock in-game resources + +| VM Flag | In-Game Unlock | +|---------|----------------| +| `flag{network_scan_complete}` | Server room workstation access, nmap tutorial display | +| `flag{ftp_intel_gathered}` | Client codename list document (correlates with Hex roster) | +| `flag{pricing_intel_decoded}` | Pricing spreadsheet, LORE Fragment 2 accessibility | +| `flag{distcc_legacy_compromised}` | **M2 connection reveal**, Agent 0x99 "aha moment" dialogue | + +**Correlation Matrix:** +- FTP banner "GHOST" ↔ Hex client list "Ransomware Inc" ↔ distcc log "ProFTPD sale" +- ROT13 whiteboard "THE ARCHITECT" ↔ Double-encoded USB "Architect directives" +- Base64 email "$12,500" ↔ distcc log "$12,500" (exact match confirms M2 connection) + +**Educational Integration:** +- Agent 0x99 tutorials (RFID cloning, nmap basics, encoding patterns) +- Drop-site terminal annotations (port explanations: 21=FTP, 22=SSH, 80=HTTP, 3632=distcc) +- CyberChef workstation hints (activate after failed attempts) + +--- + +## Key Mission Features + +### 🆕 New Mechanic: RFID Keycard Cloning + +**Specification:** +- **Method:** Proximity-based (stand within 2 GU of Victoria for 10 seconds) +- **Visual Feedback:** Progress bar (0-100%), particle effects (blue glow), audio beeping +- **Success:** Cloned keycard added to inventory → server room access +- **Alternative:** Social engineering (victoria_trust >= 40) → Victoria grants access +- **Tutorial:** Agent 0x99 pre-mission briefing + first-use overlay prompts +- **Educational:** RFID vulnerabilities, proximity attacks, physical security bypass + +### 🎯 Campaign-Critical Revelations + +**Revelation 1: M2 Hospital Connection** +> **distcc operational log (VM):** "ProFTPD exploit (CVE-2010-4652) sold to Ransomware Incorporated (GHOST) for $12,500. Target: St. Catherine's Hospital." +> +> **Player "aha moment":** "Zero Day sold the exploit that killed 4-6 patients in Mission 2!" + +**Revelation 2: The Architect Introduction** +> **Double-encoded USB (in-game):** "From: The Architect's Directives. Q4 priorities: Infrastructure exploits, cross-cell coordination, operational security." +> +> **Player realization:** "The Architect is REAL. ENTROPY cells are coordinated, not independent!" + +### ⚖️ Moral Choices + +**Choice 1: Victoria Sterling** +- **Option A:** Arrest (disrupt cell, justice, lose long-term intelligence) +- **Option B:** Double Agent (long-term intel feeds, risk exposure, maintain operations) +- **Variables:** `arrested_victoria`, `became_double_agent` + +**Choice 2: James Park** +- **Option A:** Protect (document innocence, warn him privately) +- **Option B:** Ignore (focus on mission, James faces consequences) +- **Variable:** `protected_james` + +**Debrief:** All choices reflected in Agent 0x99's closing debrief + +### 📚 Educational Focus + +**CyBOK Knowledge Areas:** +- **NSS (Primary):** Port scanning (nmap), service enumeration (netcat), banner grabbing +- **SS:** Legacy service exploitation (distcc CVE-2004-2687), Metasploit usage +- **ACS:** Multi-encoding (ROT13, Hex, Base64), nested decoding (ROT13+Base64) +- **SOC:** Intelligence correlation (physical + digital evidence), systematic investigation +- **HF:** Social engineering (Victoria trust), undercover operations (cover stories) +- **AB:** Exploit marketplace economics, threat actor coordination + +**Learning Outcomes:** +- Explain purpose of port scanning in penetration testing +- Identify common ports (21=FTP, 22=SSH, 80=HTTP, 3632=distcc) +- Conduct banner grabbing for intelligence gathering +- Decode multi-stage nested encoding (Base64 outer, ROT13 inner) +- Correlate evidence from multiple sources (physical + digital + network) +- Understand RFID security vulnerabilities +- Apply CVE research to exploitation (CVE-2004-2687) + +--- + +## Victory Conditions + +**Full Success (100%):** +- ✅ All 4 VM flags submitted +- ✅ All 4 in-game encoded messages decoded (ROT13, Hex, Base64, double-encoded) +- ✅ All 3 LORE fragments collected (+ optional 4th) +- ✅ RFID card cloned successfully +- ✅ M2 connection discovered +- ✅ Architect communication found +- ✅ Victoria choice made (arrest OR double agent) +- ✅ James choice made (protect OR ignore) +- ✅ Never detected by guard (stealth bonus) + +**Standard Success (80%):** +- ✅ 3/4 VM flags submitted +- ✅ 3/4 encoded messages decoded +- ✅ 2/3 LORE fragments collected +- ✅ Server room accessed +- ✅ M2 connection discovered +- ✅ Victoria choice made + +**Minimal Success (60%):** +- ✅ 2/4 VM flags submitted +- ✅ 2/4 encoded messages decoded +- ✅ Server room accessed +- ✅ Victoria choice made + +--- + +## Campaign Arc Connections + +### Connects to Previous Missions: + +**Mission 1 (First Contact - Social Fabric):** +- Social Fabric appears in Hex client list +- Confirms ENTROPY cells are interconnected +- OAuth exploit used by Cascade was sold by Zero Day + +**Mission 2 (Ransomed Trust - Ransomware Inc):** +- **MAJOR REVEAL:** ProFTPD exploit (CVE-2010-4652) sold to Ghost for $12,500 +- Hospital ransomware attack directly traceable to Zero Day +- Player experiences "aha moment": "ENTROPY cells coordinate!" +- FTP banner reveals "GHOST" codename (M2 antagonist) + +### Sets Up Future Missions: + +**Mission 4 (Critical Mass):** +- Critical Mass appears in client list +- SCADA/ICS exploits sold to Vanguard +- Sets up infrastructure attack in M4 + +**Mission 6 (Crypto Anarchists):** +- Crypto Anarchists mentioned in Architect's requirements +- Financial sector exploits referenced +- Sets up cryptocurrency/financial crime arc + +**Mission 7-9 (The Architect Reveal Arc):** +- First direct communication from The Architect discovered +- "Phase 2" referenced (future campaign escalation) +- Coordination model revealed (cells serve central coordinator) +- Investigation shifts to uncovering The Architect's identity + +### Campaign Progression: + +**Before M3:** Players suspect ENTROPY cells are independent criminals +**After M3:** Players realize ENTROPY is coordinated network under "The Architect" + +**Evidence Trail:** +- M1: Social Fabric mentioned (cell exists) +- M2: Ransomware Inc mentioned (another cell) +- **M3: Client list shows all cells, The Architect coordinates them** +- M4+: Investigation shifts to uncovering The Architect's identity + +--- + +## Next Steps: Stage 1 + +**Proceed to:** Stage 1 - Narrative Structure Development + +**Reference Prompt:** `story_design/story_dev_prompts/01_narrative_structure.md` + +**Stage 1 Tasks:** +1. Expand 3-act structure into scene-by-scene breakdown (12-15 scenes) +2. Identify key story beats and dramatic moments +3. Map emotional arc (professional undercover → discovery → revelation) +4. Design pacing chart (daytime recon 20-30% → nighttime 50-55% → climax 20-25%) +5. Create narrative beat timeline + +**Stage 1 Deliverables:** +- `01_narrative_structure.md` - Complete scene-by-scene arc +- Story beat timeline diagram +- Emotional progression chart +- Pacing breakdown + +--- + +## Stage 0 Achievements + +✅ **New Mechanic Designed:** RFID keycard cloning with complete specification +✅ **Campaign Arc Advanced:** First direct Architect communication, M2 connection revealed +✅ **Educational Value Defined:** 9 challenges mapping to 6 CyBOK areas +✅ **Moral Complexity Created:** Victoria double agent choice, James protection choice +✅ **LORE Framework Set:** 4 fragments connecting Season 1 cells and Architect +✅ **NPC Voices Established:** Victoria (free market ideologue), James (innocent), Cipher (mysterious) +✅ **Hybrid Architecture Specified:** VM + ERB integration with dead drop system +✅ **Victory Conditions Scaled:** 100% (perfect), 80% (standard), 60% (minimal) + +--- + +## Files Created + +``` +planning_notes/overall_story_plan/mission_initializations/m03_ghost_in_the_machine/ +├── README.md (preparation document from earlier session) +├── STAGE_0_SUMMARY.md (progress tracking) +├── STAGE_0_COMPLETE.md (this document) +└── stages/ + └── stage_0/ + ├── 00_scenario_initialization.md (820 lines) + ├── technical_challenges.md (812 lines) + ├── narrative_themes.md (600+ lines) + └── hybrid_architecture_plan.md (700+ lines) +``` + +**Total:** ~2,900+ lines of Stage 0 documentation + +--- + +**Status:** ✅ STAGE 0 COMPLETE +**Ready for:** Stage 1 - Narrative Structure Development +**Date:** 2025-12-24 + +--- + +**"In the shadows of the vulnerability marketplace, who profits from chaos? When systems are weaponized, who decides the rules of engagement?"** + +---