Update validation progress - Ink compilation complete, all critical blockers resolved

planning_notes/overall_story_plan/mission_initializations/m03_ghost_in_the_machine/VALIDATION_RECOMMENDATIONS_PROGRESS.md

@@ -8,8 +8,8 @@
 
 ## Summary
 
-**Overall Status:** 5 of 11 recommendations completed (45%)
-- **Critical:** 1 of 2 completed (50%)
+**Overall Status:** 6 of 11 recommendations completed (55%)
+- **Critical:** 2 of 2 completed (100%) ✅
 - **High Priority:** 2 of 3 completed (67%)
 - **Medium Priority:** 2 of 3 completed (67%)
 - **Low Priority:** 0 of 3 completed (0%)
@@ -18,12 +18,30 @@
 
 ## Critical Recommendations (Required Before Stage 9)
 
-### 1. ✅ Compile Ink Scripts (PENDING - External Tool Required)
-- **Status:** Pending (requires Inky editor - external tool not available)
-- **Estimated Time:** 4-6 hours
-- **Action Required:** Compile all 9 .ink files to .json in Inky editor
-- **Blocking Stage 9:** Yes
-- **Notes:** Cannot be completed within current environment. Requires manual compilation in Inky editor by implementer.
+### 1. ✅ Compile Ink Scripts
+- **Status:** COMPLETED
+- **Completed:** 2025-12-27
+- **Tool Used:** inklecate compiler (`/bin/inklecate`)
+- **Time Taken:** ~2 hours (compilation + syntax fixes)
+- **Files Compiled:** 9 Ink scripts → 9 JSON files
+  - ✅ m03_opening_briefing.json
+  - ✅ m03_npc_victoria.json
+  - ✅ m03_npc_receptionist.json
+  - ✅ m03_npc_guard.json
+  - ✅ m03_james_choice.json
+  - ✅ m03_terminal_cyberchef.json
+  - ✅ m03_terminal_dropsite.json
+  - ✅ m03_phone_agent0x99.json
+  - ✅ m03_closing_debrief.json
+- **Commits Made:** 14 commits (compilation + syntax fixes)
+- **Fixes Applied:**
+  - EXTERNAL function declarations (added parentheses)
+  - Fixed all function call syntax throughout scripts
+  - Fixed list formatting conflicts (dash → bracket notation)
+  - Fixed pipe character syntax in terminal output
+  - Fixed literal flag display syntax
+  - Converted handler_trust from EXTERNAL to VAR (modified during debrief)
+- **Notes:** All compilation successful. No blocking errors. Ready for game integration.
 
 ### 2. ✅ Create objectives.json
 - **Status:** COMPLETED (already existed from previous session)
@@ -32,7 +50,7 @@
 - **Lines:** 185 lines
 - **Notes:** Complete objectives structure with all 3 aims, 11 tasks, and 4 optional objectives. Ready for game integration.
 
-**Critical Recommendations Status:** 1 of 2 completed (50%) - 1 blocked by external tool requirement
+**Critical Recommendations Status:** 2 of 2 completed (100%) ✅ - NO BLOCKERS REMAINING
 
 ---
 
@@ -161,9 +179,12 @@
 5. ✅ Created VM infrastructure setup documentation (549 lines)
 6. ✅ Reviewed dialogue pacing - determined current structure acceptable for climactic moments
 7. ✅ Created Stage 9 Implementation Roadmap (437 lines) - synthesizes all planning into actionable guide
+8. ✅ Created Quick Start Guide (364 lines) - condensed 8-step checklist
+9. ✅ Created Test Cases document (821 lines) - 24 comprehensive test scenarios
+10. ✅ **Compiled all 9 Ink scripts to JSON** - resolved critical blocker
 
-**Total Lines Added:** ~1,820 lines (asset manifest + learning objectives + VM infrastructure + implementation roadmap)
-**Commits Made:** 7 commits
+**Total Lines Added:** ~3,005+ lines (planning docs + compiled JSON output)
+**Commits Made:** 21 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
@@ -175,29 +196,39 @@
 ### Remaining Critical Path for Stage 9
 
 **Blockers:**
-1. ⚠️ Ink compilation (external tool - implementer responsibility)
+- ✅ NO BLOCKERS REMAINING
+
+**Critical Requirements Complete:**
+1. ✅ Ink compilation (9 scripts compiled to JSON)
+2. ✅ VM infrastructure planning (549 line guide)
+3. ✅ Asset manifest (60-70 assets documented)
+4. ✅ Implementation roadmap (437 lines)
+5. ✅ Test cases (24 scenarios)
 
 **High Priority for Implementation Quality:**
-2. ✅ VM infrastructure planning (completed - 549 line guide)
-3. Accessibility enhancements (4-6 hours - implementation task)
+- Accessibility enhancements (4-6 hours - coding task, not blocker)
 
 **Optional Polish:**
-4. Dialogue pacing refinement (1-2 hours)
-5. Low priority features (future iterations)
+- Dialogue pacing refinement (current quality acceptable)
+- Low priority features (future iterations)
 
 ### Implementation Readiness Assessment
 
-**Ready to Proceed to Stage 9:** YES (with minimal caveats)
+**Ready to Proceed to Stage 9:** ✅ YES - FULLY READY
 
-**Critical Caveat:** Ink scripts must be compiled to .json before integration. This is implementer responsibility as it requires Inky editor.
+**Status:** All critical recommendations complete. NO BLOCKERS.
 
 **Completed Before Stage 9:**
+- ✅ Ink scripts compiled to JSON (all 9 files)
 - ✅ VM infrastructure documentation (Docker setup complete)
 - ✅ Asset manifest (all required assets documented)
 - ✅ Learning objectives (added to briefing)
+- ✅ Implementation roadmap (comprehensive guide)
+- ✅ Quick start guide (condensed checklist)
+- ✅ Test cases (24 comprehensive scenarios)
 
 **Optional Before Stage 9:**
-- Plan accessibility features (implementation task)
+- Plan accessibility features (implementation task, not blocker)
 
 **Can be deferred:**
 - Dialogue pacing refinement (current quality acceptable)
@@ -207,15 +238,21 @@
 
 ## Next Steps
 
-### Immediate (Before Stage 9)
-1. **Implementer Action Required:** Compile all 9 Ink scripts in Inky editor
-   - Verify syntax correctness
-   - Generate .json output files
-   - Test compilation with game's Ink runtime
+### Ready for Stage 9 (Scenario Assembly)
 
-2. **Optional:** Document VM infrastructure setup
-   - Docker configurations for ProFTPD 1.3.5, Apache, distcc
-   - Network topology (192.168.100.0/24)
+**All prerequisites complete.** Mission 3 is ready for implementation.
+
+### Immediate Implementation Steps
+
+1. **Begin Stage 9 Assembly**
+   - Follow `/stages/stage_9_prep/IMPLEMENTATION_ROADMAP.md`
+   - Or use `/stages/stage_9_prep/QUICK_START_GUIDE.md` for condensed steps
+   - Reference `/stages/stage_9_prep/TEST_CASES.md` during development
+
+2. **Setup VM Infrastructure**
+   - Follow `/stages/stage_9_prep/vm_infrastructure_setup.md`
+   - Deploy Docker Compose network
+   - Test connectivity and flag validation
    - Vulnerable service configurations
 
 ### Stage 9 (Scenario Assembly)