diff --git a/planning_notes/overall_story_plan/mission_initializations/m03_ghost_in_the_machine/STAGE_5_COMPLETE.md b/planning_notes/overall_story_plan/mission_initializations/m03_ghost_in_the_machine/STAGE_5_COMPLETE.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..f23024d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/planning_notes/overall_story_plan/mission_initializations/m03_ghost_in_the_machine/STAGE_5_COMPLETE.md
@@ -0,0 +1,471 @@
+# Mission 3: "Ghost in the Machine" - Stage 5 Complete
+
+**Mission ID:** m03_ghost_in_the_machine
+**Title:** Ghost in the Machine
+**Stage:** 5 - Room Layout and Challenge Distribution
+**Date Completed:** 2025-12-27
+**Status:** ✅ COMPLETE
+
+---
+
+## Stage 5 Deliverables Summary
+
+**Total Documents Created:** 1 comprehensive design document
+
+### Document: Room Design (`room_design.md`)
+**Size:** ~940 lines
+**Status:** ✅ Complete, ready for implementation
+
+**Contents:**
+- Location overview (WhiteHat Security Services)
+- 7 detailed room designs with dimensions, containers, NPCs
+- ASCII map showing room connections
+- Progressive unlocking flow (5 stages)
+- Lock variety analysis (5 types, 7 locks)
+- Container summary (7 containers)
+- NPC placement (4 NPCs)
+- Hybrid architecture integration
+- Technical validation (all compliant)
+- Design notes (pacing, difficulty, atmosphere)
+
+---
+
+## Room Layout Summary
+
+### WhiteHat Security Services Office
+
+**Location Type:** Corporate Security Consulting Firm
+**Total Rooms:** 7
+**Layout Pattern:** Hub-and-spoke (central hallway with branches)
+**Time Phases:** Daytime (Act 1) → Nighttime (Act 2-3)
+**Security Level:** Medium (RFID locks, guard patrol)
+
+### Room Inventory
+
+| # | Room Name | ID | Dimensions | Type | Act | Critical Path |
+|---|-----------|----|-----------| -----|-----|---------------|
+| 1 | Reception Lobby | `reception_lobby` | 8×6 GU | Entrance | 1-3 | Entry point |
+| 2 | Conference Room | `conference_room_01` | 10×8 GU | Meeting | 1 | RFID cloning |
+| 3 | Main Hallway | `main_hallway` | 12×4 GU | Corridor | 1-3 | Navigation, guard patrol |
+| 4 | Server Room | `server_room` | 10×10 GU | IT/Data Center | 2-3 | **PRIMARY HUB** |
+| 5 | Executive Wing Hallway | `executive_wing_hallway` | 8×4 GU | Corridor | 1-3 | Connector |
+| 6 | Executive Office | `executive_office` | 10×8 GU | Private Office | 2-3 | Optional evidence |
+| 7 | James's Office | `james_office` | 8×6 GU | Consultant Office | 2 | Optional moral choice |
+
+**Total Usable Space:** 464 GU² across all rooms
+**All Rooms Compliant:** ✅ 7/7 within 4×4 to 15×15 GU range
+
+---
+
+## Progressive Unlocking Achievement
+
+### 5-Stage Unlocking Flow
+
+**Stage 1: Mission Start (Daytime Act 1)**
+- **Accessible:** Reception, Hallway, Conference Room (3 rooms)
+- **Focus:** Victoria meeting, RFID cloning
+
+**Stage 2: After clone_rfid_card (End Act 1)**
+- **Unlocks:** Server Room via RFID keycard
+- **Transition:** Daytime → Nighttime (time skip)
+
+**Stage 3: Nighttime Infiltration Begins (Act 2 Start)**
+- **New Challenge:** Night security guard patrol
+- **Accessible:** All previous + Server Room interior
+- **Still Locked:** Executive Office
+
+**Stage 4: After access_victoria_computer**
+- **Unlocks:** Executive Office (lockpicking OR high trust)
+- **Access:** Victoria's workspace, LORE fragments
+- **Backtracking:** Return to server room for CyberChef decoding
+
+**Stage 5: After distcc_exploit (Midpoint Twist)**
+- **Event-Unlocked:** Operational logs spawn
+- **Revelation:** M2 hospital connection discovered
+- **All Evidence:** Available for final synthesis
+
+**Design Achievement:** ✅ Clear progression, strategic backtracking, no soft locks
+
+---
+
+## Lock Variety Achievement
+
+### 5 Different Lock Types
+
+| Lock Type | Count | Critical Path | Examples |
+|-----------|-------|---------------|----------|
+| **RFID Keycard** | 1 | YES | Server room door (clone from Victoria) |
+| **Physical/Lockpicking** | 3 | NO | Executive office, filing cabinets |
+| **PIN Codes** | 1 | NO | Server room safe (2010) |
+| **Passwords** | 1 | Partial | Victoria's computer |
+| **Hidden Items** | 1 | NO | USB drive in desk drawer |
+
+**Total Locks:** 7 across 5 types
+**Variety Score:** ✅ Excellent (5 types exceed 3-type minimum)
+
+### Lock Progression
+
+**Easy → Medium → Hard:**
+1. Founding year clue (2010) - Easy, visible
+2. RFID cloning - Medium, new mechanic
+3. Lockpicking - Easy-Medium, skill-based
+4. Password finding - Medium, investigation
+5. Hidden USB - Easy, thorough search
+
+**Validation:**
+- ✅ Multiple lock types (not repetitive)
+- ✅ Discoverable hints (founding year plaque)
+- ✅ New mechanic introduced (RFID cloning)
+- ✅ Supports multiple playstyles (stealth, social, technical)
+
+---
+
+## Container and Object Placement
+
+### Containers Summary
+
+**Total Containers:** 7
+- **Critical Path:** 2 (Victoria's computer required)
+- **Optional LORE:** 3 (filing cabinets, safe, USB)
+- **Flavor/Atmosphere:** 2 (reception desk, display case)
+
+**Distribution:**
+- Reception Lobby: 2 containers
+- Server Room: 2 containers (filing cabinet, safe)
+- Executive Office: 2 containers (filing cabinet, desk drawer)
+- James's Office: 1 container (desk drawer)
+
+**Lock Distribution:**
+- Unlocked: 3 containers
+- Physical locks: 3 containers
+- PIN lock: 1 container
+
+### Interactive Objects
+
+**Total Interactive Objects:** 10
+- **VM/Technical:** 3 (VM terminal, CyberChef, drop-site terminal)
+- **Evidence:** 3 (whiteboard, computers, USB drive)
+- **Atmosphere:** 4 (founding plaque, family photo, certifications, display case)
+
+**Server Room Objects (Investigation Hub):**
+1. VM Access Terminal (2, 4)
+2. CyberChef Workstation (6, 4)
+3. Drop-Site Terminal (4, 4)
+4. Whiteboard with ROT13 (4, 7)
+5. Filing cabinet (1, 7)
+6. Wall safe (7, 7)
+
+**Design Achievement:** ✅ Clear purpose for each object, narrative justification
+
+---
+
+## NPC Placement Achievement
+
+### 4 NPCs Across 3 Modes
+
+| NPC | Mode | Room | Position/Route | Phase |
+|-----|------|------|----------------|-------|
+| Receptionist | In-Person | Reception Lobby | (3, 2) desk | Daytime only |
+| Victoria Sterling | In-Person | Conference Room | (4, 3) table | Daytime only |
+| Night Security Guard | Patrol | Main Hallway + Reception | 4 waypoints, 60s loop | Nighttime only |
+| Agent 0x99 | Phone/Event | Remote | N/A | All phases |
+
+**Guard Patrol Design:**
+- **Waypoint 1:** Reception (3, 2) - 15 tick pause
+- **Waypoint 2:** Main Hallway (2, 1) - 15 tick pause
+- **Waypoint 3:** Main Hallway (6, 1) - 15 tick pause
+- **Waypoint 4:** Main Hallway (9, 1) near server - 20 tick pause
+- **Loop Time:** ~60 seconds
+- **Detection:** 150px LOS, 120° cone
+
+**Phase Transition:**
+- **Daytime NPCs:** Receptionist + Victoria (professional atmosphere)
+- **Nighttime NPCs:** Guard only (tension, stealth challenge)
+- **Phone Constant:** Agent 0x99 (handler support)
+
+**Design Achievement:** ✅ Conditional spawning, atmosphere transformation, stealth challenge
+
+---
+
+## Hybrid Architecture Integration
+
+### VM Challenges (4 flags)
+
+**Location:** Server Room VM Terminal (2, 4)
+**Network:** 192.168.100.0/24 (Zero Day training network)
+
+| Challenge | Tool | Flag | Difficulty |
+|-----------|------|------|------------|
+| Port Scanning | nmap | `flag{network_scan_complete}` | Easy |
+| Banner Grabbing | netcat | `flag{ftp_intel_gathered}` | Easy |
+| HTTP Analysis | curl + Base64 | `flag{pricing_intel_decoded}` | Medium |
+| distcc Exploitation | Metasploit | `flag{distcc_legacy_compromised}` | Advanced |
+
+**Submission:** Drop-site terminal (4, 4) in server room
+
+### CyberChef Decoding (3 tasks)
+
+**Location:** Server Room CyberChef Workstation (6, 4)
+
+| Task | Input | Encoding | Output |
+|------|-------|----------|--------|
+| Whiteboard | ROT13 text | ROT13 | "MEET WITH THE ARCHITECT..." |
+| Client Roster | Hex file | Hex | Zero Day client list |
+| USB Drive | Double-encoded | Base64+ROT13 | Architect's directive |
+
+### Correlation Tasks (2 critical)
+
+| Task | VM Component | In-Game Component | Result |
+|------|--------------|-------------------|--------|
+| `http_analysis` | HTTP fetch | CyberChef Base64 | Pricing intelligence |
+| `find_operational_logs` | distcc exploit | Spawned file | M2 hospital connection |
+
+**Design Achievement:** ✅ VM and in-game tightly integrated, backtracking required, correlation meaningful
+
+---
+
+## Design Notes Achievement
+
+### Pacing Design
+
+**Act 1 (15-25 min):**
+- Limited exploration (3 rooms)
+- Social focus (Victoria meeting)
+- Calm → Building tension
+
+**Act 2 (30-40 min):**
+- Full exploration (7 rooms)
+- Investigation focus (VM + evidence)
+- Hub-and-spoke (server room central)
+- Tense infiltration rhythm
+
+**Act 3 (10-15 min):**
+- Evidence synthesis
+- Moral choices
+- Climax → Resolution
+
+### Difficulty Curve
+
+**Easy Start:** Reception, Victoria meeting, founding year clue
+**Medium Progression:** RFID cloning, guard stealth, VM port scanning
+**Hard Challenges:** distcc exploitation, password finding, hex decoding
+**Expert Optional:** Double-encoding, perfect stealth, all LORE
+
+### Atmosphere Transformation
+
+**Daytime Corporate Facade:**
+- Bright, professional, NPCs present
+- Legitimate business appearance
+- Calm audio/music
+
+**Nighttime Infiltration:**
+- Dark, emergency lighting, shadows
+- Empty except guard
+- HVAC hum, tension music
+- **Same spaces, completely different feel**
+
+**Design Achievement:** ✅ Dual-phase design creates variety, atmosphere supports narrative
+
+---
+
+## Technical Validation Summary
+
+### Room Dimensions Compliance
+
+- ✅ All rooms within 4×4 to 15×15 GU range (7/7)
+- ✅ Usable space correctly calculated (dimensions - 2 GU)
+- ✅ No oversized or undersized rooms
+
+### Placement Compliance
+
+- ✅ All containers in usable space (not padding)
+- ✅ All NPCs in usable space
+- ✅ All interactive objects in usable space
+- ✅ Doors at room edges (padding zone)
+- ✅ No items in 1 GU padding zone
+
+### Connection Compliance
+
+- ✅ All room connections have ≥ 1 GU overlap
+- ✅ Door positions specified
+- ✅ Locked doors have unlock conditions
+- ✅ No circular dependencies
+
+### Progression Validation
+
+- ✅ No soft locks (can't make progress impossible)
+- ✅ Clear critical path (Reception → Conference → Server Room)
+- ✅ Optional content accessible but not blocking
+- ✅ Backtracking intentional and meaningful
+
+**All Technical Criteria Met:** ✅ 100% compliant
+
+---
+
+## Integration with Previous Stages
+
+### Stage 0 (Technical Challenges) → Room Placement
+
+**VM Challenges:**
+- ✅ All 4 VM challenges → Server Room VM terminal
+- ✅ Flag submission → Drop-site terminal
+- ✅ Network 192.168.100.0/24 specified
+
+**In-Game Challenges:**
+- ✅ RFID cloning → Conference Room (Victoria proximity)
+- ✅ Lockpicking → Executive office, filing cabinets
+- ✅ Multi-encoding → CyberChef workstation (server room)
+- ✅ Guard stealth → Main hallway patrol
+
+**All Stage 0 challenges placed:** ✅
+
+### Stage 1 (Narrative Structure) → Acts Mapped
+
+**Act 1 Scenes → Rooms:**
+- Scene 1 (Briefing) → Not in-game (cutscene)
+- Scene 2 (Arrival) → Reception Lobby
+- Scene 3 (Victoria meeting) → Conference Room
+- Scene 5 (Extraction) → Outside (transition)
+
+**Act 2 Scenes → Rooms:**
+- Scene 6 (Infiltration) → Reception → Hallway
+- Scene 7 (Server room) → Server Room (hub)
+- Scenes 8-11 (Investigation) → All rooms (evidence gathering)
+
+**Act 3 Scenes → Rooms:**
+- Scene 12 (James choice) → James's Office (optional)
+- Scene 13 (Victoria confrontation) → Executive Office OR Hallway
+- Scene 14 (Exfiltration) → Exit
+
+**All narrative scenes have locations:** ✅
+
+### Stage 2 (Characters) → NPC Positions
+
+**NPCs Placed:**
+- ✅ Victoria Sterling → Conference Room (daytime)
+- ✅ James Park → James's Office (evidence only, not present)
+- ✅ Guard → Main Hallway patrol (nighttime)
+- ✅ Agent 0x99 → Phone/remote (handler)
+
+**Environmental storytelling:**
+- ✅ Family photos (James's Office)
+- ✅ Certifications (Reception, James's Office)
+- ✅ Corporate achievements (hallways)
+
+### Stage 3 (Moral Choices) → Choice Locations
+
+**James's Protection Choice:**
+- ✅ Discovery location: James's Office
+- ✅ Evidence: Performance review, family photo, certifications
+- ✅ Choice trigger: james_innocence_confirmed
+
+**Victoria's Fate Choice:**
+- ✅ Confrontation location: Executive Office OR Hallway (player choice)
+- ✅ Evidence: All gathered from server room + executive office
+- ✅ Choice trigger: all_evidence_collected
+
+### Stage 4 (Objectives) → Room Mapping
+
+**All 17 tasks mapped to rooms:**
+- ✅ Aim 1.1 tasks (2) → Conference Room
+- ✅ Aim 1.2 tasks (4) → Server Room
+- ✅ Aim 1.3 tasks (4) → Server Room + Executive Office
+- ✅ Optional LORE (3) → Server Room + Executive Office
+- ✅ Optional stealth (1) → Main Hallway (guard patrol)
+- ✅ Optional moral (2) → James's Office + Executive Office
+- ✅ Perfect Stealth (1) → Guard avoidance
+
+**All objectives have room locations:** ✅
+
+---
+
+## Next Steps: Stages 6-9
+
+**Stage 5 provides to Stage 6 (LORE Fragments):**
+- 3 LORE fragment locations specified
+- Container details for each fragment
+- Unlock conditions (safe PIN, lockpicking, hidden search)
+
+**Stage 5 provides to Stage 7 (Ink Scripting):**
+- NPC positions and dialogue trigger locations
+- Container interactions (what happens when opened)
+- Terminal locations (VM, drop-site, CyberChef)
+- Event triggers (distcc_exploit → M2 revelation)
+
+**Stage 5 provides to Stage 9 (Scenario Assembly):**
+- Complete room dimensions and connections
+- Container placement with contents
+- NPC spawn conditions (daytime/nighttime)
+- Progressive unlocking logic
+- Technical validation (ready for JSON)
+
+---
+
+## Git Commit Summary
+
+**Commits for Stage 5:**
+1. afa47e1 - Part 1: First 3 rooms (Reception, Conference, Hallway)
+2. 6b9f4c8 - Part 2: Server room (primary investigation hub)
+3. de65cea - Part 3: Executive wing (hallway + office)
+4. 4d7857f - Part 4: Final room (James's Office) + ASCII map
+5. ea56097 - Part 5: Progressive unlocking + lock analysis
+6. 6efceff - Part 6: Final summaries (containers, NPCs, validation)
+
+**Total Lines Added:** ~940 lines (room_design.md)
+
+---
+
+## Stage 5 Completion Metrics
+
+### Documentation
+- **Room Design Document:** ~940 lines, 12 major sections
+- **Completion Summary:** This document
+
+### Rooms Designed
+- **Total Rooms:** 7
+- **Critical Path:** 4 (Reception, Conference, Hallway, Server Room)
+- **Optional:** 3 (Executive Wing Hallway, Executive Office, James's Office)
+
+### Objects Placed
+- **Containers:** 7 (2 flavor, 5 objectives)
+- **Interactive Objects:** 10 (3 terminals, 7 evidence/atmosphere)
+- **NPCs:** 4 (2 daytime, 1 nighttime, 1 remote)
+- **Locks:** 7 across 5 types
+
+### Integration Points
+- **Stage 0 (Technical):** ✅ All challenges placed
+- **Stage 1 (Narrative):** ✅ All scenes have locations
+- **Stage 2 (Characters):** ✅ All NPCs positioned
+- **Stage 3 (Moral Choices):** ✅ Choice locations specified
+- **Stage 4 (Objectives):** ✅ All 17 tasks mapped to rooms
+- **Stage 6 (LORE):** Ready to receive fragment details
+- **Stage 7 (Ink):** Ready to receive NPC positions and triggers
+- **Stage 9 (Assembly):** Ready for JSON conversion
+
+### Technical Compliance
+- ✅ All rooms within dimension limits (4×4 to 15×15 GU)
+- ✅ All items in usable space (not padding)
+- ✅ All connections valid (≥ 1 GU overlap)
+- ✅ No circular dependencies
+- ✅ Progressive unlocking designed
+- ✅ Lock variety achieved (5 types)
+
+---
+
+**Stage 5 Status:** ✅ **COMPLETE**
+
+**Mission 3 Progress:**
+- ✅ Stage 0: Scenario Initialization (4 documents, ~2,900 lines)
+- ✅ Stage 1: Narrative Structure (1 document, 1,546 lines)
+- ✅ Stage 2: Storytelling Elements (2 documents, ~2,000 lines)
+- ✅ Stage 3: Moral Choices (1 document, ~630 lines)
+- ✅ Stage 4: Player Objectives (2 documents, ~770 lines)
+- ✅ Stage 5: Room Layout Design (1 document, ~940 lines)
+- 🔄 Stage 6: LORE Fragments (Next)
+- ⏳ Stages 7-9: Ink scripting, review, assembly
+
+**Total Mission 3 Planning Documentation:** ~9,800 lines across 12 documents
+
+---
+
+**Mission 3 "Ghost in the Machine" - Where every room supports the story, and space transforms from corporate facade to tense infiltration.**