Sector 7

TODO

• Add hints to all puzzles.
  • Roll 13.3 into a hint instead of a related solution.
• Archive websites and photos.
• Post. Share with R.

Box contents

The following is a visual gallery of all box contents, as well as transcriptions of all text.
There are NO SPOILERS, puzzle explanations, or solutions detailed in this section.

• 

  Exterior of the box.

• 

  Box contents.

• Hints and Solutions card
• Letter from Mr. X
• The Forrest City Tribune
• Notes by Resident 11
• Notes by Resident 11, Exploration of Sector 7
• Sector 7 cards:
  • Floor plan
  • Resident 11's Room
  • Sector 7 Data Center
  • Sector 7 Exit Door
  • Sector 7 Genomics Lab
  • Sector 7 Holographic Lab
  • Sector 7 Imaging Lab
• Photos of:
  • Dr. John Anders
  • Dr. Maya Patel
• A grid of numbers with words and lines
• Stylized humanoid with 146 on his face
• Circuit board
• Word search
• Blue Note Jazz Cafe matchbook
• Dr. Maya Patel's pen
• Keycard
• Magnifying glass
• Mousepad

The investigation

The investigation is a complete walkthrough and contains hints, explanations, and solutions.
Where possible, spoiler tags have been used, but CONSIDER THIS YOUR SPOILER WARNING.

1. Read the Hints and Solutions card.
   1. The Facebook group is no longer accessible.
   2. A copy of the official walkthrough and solutions is available: at Media:TMEC-Sector 7-Walkthrough.pdf.
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2. Read the Letter from Mr. X.
3. Read the Forrest City Tribune page 1.
4. Explore the rest of ForrestCity.info for flavor.
5. Read the Forrest City Tribune page 2.
   1. The ArchonGenomics.com page is similar to the ForrestCity.info equivalent.
6. Read the Forrest City Tribune page 3.
   1. Visit and explore http://www.otsfirm.com/ for background and flavor.
   2. Call 941-893-2427 and listen to the answering machine.
   3. Email OTSfirm@gmail.com for an automated reply.
   4. This is likely all related to a different monthly mystery.
7. Read the Forrest City Tribune page 4.
8. Visit http://www.Sector7Surveillance.com.
   1. This URL only appears on the subscription box itself and is easy to miss.
   2. This site is an image of a computer screen and a code word. View a screenshot.
   3. The computer screen is animated; the video is on YouTube or a copy is available here.
9. Read unmentioned but related Christopher's Curiosities, March 12, 2017 2:58 p.m..
10. Read unmentioned but related Christopher's Curiosities, March 12, 2017 3:01 p.m..

Christopher's Curiosities, March 12, 2017 2:58 p.m.

NEW ITEM: Photograph of unknown antenna array taken on the outskirts of Forrest City. Photo taken Jan 31, 2017, by Anon. OUR PRICE: $65

Christopher's Curiosities, Mar 12, 2017 2:58 p.m.. View original embedded image.

Christopher's Curiosities, March 12, 2017 3:01 p.m.

NEW ITEM: Photograph of security door panel allegedly taken inside a covert facility hidden in Forrest City known as Sector 7. Photo taken Feb. 28, 2017, by Anon. OUR PRICE: $125

Christopher's Curiosities, Mar 12, 2017 3:01 p.m.. View original embedded image.

11. Read the notes by Resident 11 page 1.
    1. Contrary to these notes, the Resident 11's Room card does show a window.
    2. Presumably the "grid of letters" should be read as "grid of numbers".
12. Solve the "Resident 11 Ward Room" puzzle.
    1. Hint #1: The pictured security keypad only accepts numbers.
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    2. View the official solution: ​The passcode for the security keypad was provided to Resident 11 through the display on his watch: 1126.
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13. Read the notes by Resident 11 page 2.
14. Read the notes by Resident 11, Exploration of Sector 7, Resident 11 Ward Room.
15. Visit http://www.Sector7Containment.com which redirects to http://www.forrestcity.info/sector7containment.html.
    1. This site is an image of a computer monitor and a single button. View a screenshot.
    2. Clicking the "Enter password" button loads a password-protected PDF document.
16. Solve the "Resident 11 Computer Screen Access" puzzle.
    1. Hint #1: Without reading the rest of the Exploration of Sector 7, there's no clear pointer to this puzzle's solution.
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    2. Hint #2: A "numeric" keypad controls the door lock; the password will only be numbers.
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    3. Hint #3: There's a cryptogram on one of the included items. Find it and solve it.
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    4. Hint #4: The cryptogram reads "RESIDENT ELEVEN COMPUTER SCREEN PASSWORD" above a grid of numbers.
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    5. Hint #5: Try summing the grid's individual rows and columns.
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    6. View the official solution: ​The passcode to the touchscreen panel can be found on a page in the bundle hidden in Resident 11’s room. The black and white page with a grid of numbers contains what mathematicians call a “magic square.” All columns and rows add up to the same number. This is the passcode. The number itself and the magic square concept also have special significance to the themes that run through the Forrest City meta-mystery.
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    7. The password to the PDF is: "260".
       ​

Sector7Containment.com

Sector 7 CONTAINMENT WARD 1.004.006.465.v.tc.64 Resident 11 Resident 11’s condition continues to deteriorate since his admission to the Containment Ward. Memory loss is severe and his ability to form new memories appears to be limited to transient short term memories only. Independent memory retrieval continues to be severely impaired. Scans confirm that the short term memory loss is due to cellular damage in the prefrontal cortex, hippocampus and cerebral cortex. Resident 11 continues to experience paranoia, intermittent periods of rage and violence directed at anyone within his field of vision. He intermittently experiences visual and auditory hallucinations. He also experiences significant disorientation and mental confusion when agitated. Code Word: mutation *** End of Entry

Sector7Containment.com PDF. Download password-protected PDF.

17. Read the notes by Resident 11, Exploration of Sector 7, Ward Room 12.
18. Read the notes by Resident 11, Exploration of Sector 7, Office 1.
19. Visit http://www.Sector7Station4.com.
    1. This site is an image of a computer monitor and a single button. View a screenshot.
    2. Clicking the "Enter Password" button loads a password-protected PDF document.
20. Solve the "Office 1" puzzle.
    1. Hint #1: Figure out whose office this is. You've a photo of them.
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    2. Hint #2: Find the included items that mention this person's name.
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    3. Hint #3: Imagine the mousepad as a grid. Find the coordinates to this grid.
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    4. View the official solution: This is the office of Dr. Maya Patel. Maya is the Hindi myth name of the mother of Siddhartha, meaning “illusion." To access Dr. Patel’s computer, locate the photograph of her in the bundle hidden in Resident 11’s room. You will note that in Dr. Patel’s coat pocket is a pen. Find both the pen and the mousepad from her office desk. The numbers on the pen (1.4 6.3 2.6 4.2) give you the row and column coordinates to locate four letters on the grid of letters on the mousepad.​
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    5. The password to the PDF is: "ACTG".
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Sector7Station4.com

Sector 7 CONTAINMENT WARD 1.035.111.4225.v.ac.64 Resident 11 All of Resident 11’s symptoms are due to his exposure to [REDACTED]. The primary genetic damage to Residents 11’s DNA has been double- strand breaks of the DNA molecule. Repair is difficult and erroneous rejoining of broken ends has occurred on a large scale with concurrent losses of DNA fragments between the broken segments. The localized DNA damage caused by dense ionizations from high-LET exposure such as [REDACTED] is more difficult to repair than the diffuse DNA damage caused by the sparse ionizations from low-LET exposure. Due to the obviously sensitive nature of Resident 11’s identity and condition, access to the the remainder of Resident 11’s file has been restricted to Administrative Level Access. Code Word: phenotype *** End of Entry

Sector7Station4.com PDF. Download password-protected PDF.

21. Read the notes by Resident 11, Exploration of Sector 7, Ward Room 3.
22. Read the notes by Resident 11, Exploration of Sector 7, Holographic Lab A.
23. Visit http://www.Sector7Station64.com which redirects to http://www.forrestcity.info/sector7station64.html.
    1. This site is an image of a computer monitor and a single button. View a screenshot.
    2. Clicking the "Enter Password" button loads a password-protected PDF document.
24. Solve the "Holographic Data Center" puzzle.
    1. Hint #1: Find the included keycard. The password will be numbers only.
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    2. Hint #2: Figure out the number pattern and identify the missing numbers.
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    3. View the official solution: ​To locate the passkey code for this computer, find the pass key in the bundle hidden in Resident 11’s room. On the back, you will note a series of numbers with two blank spaces terminal. This sequence of numbers is what mathematicians call the Fibonacci sequence. The missing numbers are found by adding up the two numbers before each. The sequence is: 0, 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34, 55, 89, 144, 233, 377. The missing numbers are 13 and 55.
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    4. The password to the PDF is: "1355".
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Sector7Station64.com

Sector 7 b64 SUMMARY REPORT DNA BASICS The purpose of this Summary Report is to provide a basic level introduction to DNA. It exists in every single organism, from the smallest virus to the largest mammal. DNA, or deoxyribonucleic acid, is the chemical inside our cells that carries the genetic instructions for making living organisms. You can think of the human genome like a book. It has twenty-three chapters called chromosomes. Each chapter contains thousands of paragraphs called genes. Each paragraph is made up of sentences called exons. Each sentence is composed of words called codons. And each word is written in letters called bases. But instead of being written on pages of paper, the human genome is written on long chains of sugar and phosphate called DNA molecules. There are over a billion words in the human genomic book. It’s as long as eight hundred King James Bibles. If you were to read the human genome aloud at a rate of one second per word for eight hours a day, seven days a week, it would take over a hundred years to read it all. You can think of human DNA as a message written in a code of chemicals, one chemical for each letter. The language of DNA is an alphabet with only four letters— A, C, G, and T— adenine, cytosine, guanine, and thymine. The DNA message carries the chemical instructions for assembling a new person. DNA is the code for life, and that code has been replicated in every person who has ever lived. Big chunks of our DNA appear to be nothing more than a jumble of repetitive, random sequences that are rarely, if ever, used. We call these junk sequences introns. If DNA is like a television show, then introns are like enormous commercial breaks that interrupt the real program. Except in our DNA, the commercials are longer than the actual show. **End of report/ Code word: TRANSCRIPTION

Sector7Station64.com PDF. Download password-protected PDF.

25. Read the notes by Resident 11, Exploration of Sector 7, Ward Room 4.
26. Read the notes by Resident 11, Exploration of Sector 7, Genomics Lab.
27. Read the notes by Resident 11, Exploration of Sector 7, Office 2.
28. Visit http://www.Sector7Station12.com.
    1. This site is an image of a computer monitor and a single button. View a screenshot.
    2. Clicking the "Enter Password" button loads a password-protected PDF document.
29. Solve the "Office 2" puzzle.
    1. Hint #1: Find the included item related to jazz. Don't just stare at it.
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    2. View the official solution: ​You will note that the occupant of this office is a fan of jazz. Locate the Blue Note Jazz Club matchbook in the bundle hidden in Resident 11’s room. On the inside cover of the matchbook is a word: CONSTANCE. This is the password for the Office 2 computer. The name Constance also has has special significance to the themes that run through the Forrest City meta-mystery.
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    3. The password to the PDF is: "Constance".
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Sector7Station12.com

Sector 7 1.004.00465.23-5.2.clf INCIDENT REPORT CONFIDENTIAL INCIDENT REPORT SUMMARY On [REDACTED], a Hazard Level 1 event occurred in the Sector 7 Containment Laboratory when there was a complete failure of the containment barrier during an examination by [REDACTED] of Substance X. [REDACTED] was conducting a visual and radiographic examination of the effect of exposure to extreme temperatures on the emanation of Beta-64 radiation from Substance X. Due to unknown intervening factors, the containment barrier between [REDACTED] and Substance X suddenly and completely failed. [REDACTED] was exposed to Beta-64 radiation for a period of 3.4 seconds before the emergency shield and bulkhead sealed the sample of Substance 64 within the examination chamber. [REDACTED] lost consciousness upon exposure to the B-64 radiation. Due to the hazard level of this event, the remainder of this Incident Report has been restricted to Administrative Level Access. *** End of Entry

Sector7Station12.com PDF. Download password-protected PDF.

30. Read the notes by Resident 11, Exploration of Sector 7, Imaging Lab.
31. Visit http://www.Sector7Station146.com.
    1. This site is an image of a computer monitor and a single button. View a screenshot.
    2. Clicking the "Enter Password" button loads a password-protected PDF document.
32. Solve the "Imaging Lab" puzzle.
    1. The third row has 20 blue dots, but should only have 18.
    2. Hint #1: One of the included items has the number "146" on it, just like this station.
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    3. Hint #2: Only the blue dots, and their count per row, relate to the puzzle solution.
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    4. Hint #3: There are always less than 26 blue dots in a single row.
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    5. View the official solution: ​To locate the password for this computer, find the page in the bundle hidden in Resident 11’s room depicting a stylized humanoid with the numbers 146 on his forehead. The blue dots on the lefthand side of his body each indicate a letter in the alphabet (by numerical position such as 1=A, 2=B, and so on). The solution to the puzzle is “chromosome forty six.” This is the password.
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    6. The password to the PDF is: "chromosomefortysix".
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Sector7Station146.com

Sector 7 1.014.00555.212.2.b64 SUMMARY REPORT TOP SECRET SUBSTANCE X The purpose of this Summary Report is to provide a basic level introduction to the concept of Substance X. Substance X is a substance discovered at least 100 years in the Forrest City area. Until recently, Substance X was thought to be just a rare mineral. In the year 2003, it was discovered by [x REDACTED x] that Substance X is actually an element previously unknown to science. There are no indications that it has an extraterrestrial origin. Rather, Substance X appears to exist naturally on our planet, although we are currently unable to explain why it remains stable in its solid form and does not decay into its constituent elements. Substance X is found almost exclusively deep beneath the ground. It is commonly found in the vicinity of underground seams of coal, copper ore, silver, and other minerals. Substance X can be extremely dangerous to humans when brought to the surface through mining or excavation activity, or where natural deposits of Substance X are naturally located with 100 meters of the ground level. The hazardous nature of Substance X is due to its emission of Beta-64 radiation which causes a host of deleterious effects on human physiology (DNA in particular) and negatively impacts human behavior. As of 2017, Substance X has been discovered in eleven locations around the world, and has caused similar negative effects on local populations. Its existence is classified Top Secret, Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI)*. Beta-64 radiation and its effects are discussed in a separate Summary Report entitled Beta-64. ** End of Report/ * Information is compartmentalized by adding a code word so that only those who have been cleared for each code word can see it. A document marked SECRET (CODE WORD) could only be viewed by a person with a secret or top secret clearance and that specific code word clearance. Each code word deals with a different kind of information.

Sector7Station146.com PDF. Download password-protected PDF.

33. Read the notes by Resident 11, Exploration of Sector 7, Data Center.
34. Visit http://www.Sector7Station20.com.
    1. This site is an image of a computer monitor and a single button. View a screenshot.
    2. Clicking the "Enter Password" button loads a password-protected PDF document.
35. Solve the "Data Center" puzzle.
    1. Hint #1: The circuit board is a maze.
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    2. Hint #2: Or, more accurately, four mazes numbered 4, 2, 1, and 3.
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    3. Hint #3: Once you've found the ending letter of each maze, rearrange them numerically.
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    4. View the official solution: ​To locate the password for this computer, find the circuit board puzzle in the bundle hidden in Resident 11’s room. Along the bottom of the circuit board, you will note a series of letters. Approximately three inches down from the numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4. Using the magnifying glass provided, follow the circuit from each number (1, 2, 3 and 4) to its corresponding letter at the end of the circuit. Write down each letter as you locate it. Then put the four letters in order according to the number at the top of the circuit (1,2,3 and 4). The password is BETA.
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    5. The password to the PDF is: "BETA".
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Sector7Station20.com

Sector 7 1.014.00555.212.2.b64 SUMMARY REPORT TOP SECRET BETA-64 RADIATION The purpose of this Summary Report is to provide a basic level introduction to the concept of Beta-64 radiation. Its existence is classified Top Secret, Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI)*. Beta-64 radiation is emitted from the substance known as Substance X (see separate Summary Report on Substance X). Although Beta-64 radiation is typically contained below ground because Substance X is usually found deep beneath the earth, it can be extremely dangerous to humans when Substance X is brought to the surface through mining or excavation activity, or where deposits of Substance X are located with 100 meters of the ground level. Beta-64 radiation which causes a host of deleterious effects on human physiology (DNA in particular) and negatively impacts human behavior. The primary genetic damage that Beta-64 radiation causes to human DNA are double-strand breaks of the DNA molecule. Beta-64 radiation also appears to activate genetic sequences in sections of DNA that have long been thought to to have little purpose (Junk DNA). These genetic changes are the subject of current study. With regard to human behavior, Beta-64 radiation can cause extreme paranoia, violent behavior, delusions and, with sufficient exposure, psychopathy and hallucinations. ** End of Report/ * Information is compartmentalized by adding a code word so that only those who have been cleared for each code word can see it. A document marked SECRET (CODE WORD) could only be viewed by a person with a secret or top secret clearance and that specific code word clearance. Each code word deals with a different kind of information. Code word: SUBSTANCEX

Sector7Station20.com PDF. Download password-protected PDF.

36. Read the notes by Resident 11, Exploration of Sector 7, Exit Door.
37. Visit http://www.Sector7Exit.com.
    1. This site is an image of the Sector 7 Exit Doors and a single button. View a screenshot.
    2. Clicking the "Enter Password" button loads a password-protected PDF document.
38. Solve the "Sector 7 Exit Doors" puzzle.
    1. View the official solution: ​During the course of your investigation you will encounter many “code words,” both individually and as part of other puzzles or Sector 7 documents. Each of these code words can be found in the word grid metasearch from the bundle hidden in Resident 11’s room. Locate each code word in the metasearch (spelled forward or backwards) and circle it. When you have located all of the code words, you will be left with a series of letters. These letters spell the password that you must enter to exit the Sector 7 Containment Ward. Disregard any symbols that are not letters to reach the solution.
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    2. View the list of code words: Clearly mentioned code words are: SUBSTANCEX, MUTATION, OKAZAKI, PHAGE, PHENOTYPE, DNA, THYMINE DIMER, ACTINIDE, HOT SPOT, ALLELE, TRANSCRIPTION, STRAND, PRIMASE, CODON, and HAPLOTYPE. Other words not specifically labeled "code words", are also required: RESIDENT ELEVEN, CONSTANCE, CHROMOSOME 46, and BETA. This leaves you with the remaining letters of ARCHOOPERONNISOTOPEGENOMICIRRADIATIONS. Even though the remaining words don't appear to be referenced in any document (but could be inferred by REDACTED text, or their relationship to DNA, or even just that they're in the grid as sequential letters), they, too, must be removed: OPERON, ISOTOPE, and IRRADIATION. That leaves you with ARCHONGENOMICS for the remaining letters.
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    3. View the actual solution: The password to the PDF is "ArchonGenomics".
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Sector7Exit.com

SECTOR 7 EXIT I studied all of the information I had gathered while exploring Sector 7. Was there a hidden pattern? A method to the madness? And then it struck me. The password was contained in the information I had found. It was simply a matter of elimination. I keyed the password into the LCD screen. The doors opened with a whisper. I was free. I ran through the vestibule and around the corner on the far side. I found myself | | | | | | | | | V | | | | in Archon Genomics. A young woman across the room stood and slowly approached me. “It’s ok. I’m a friend,” she said. “My is Amber Morgan. Everyone calls me Quiz. I’m a Senior Systems Engineer at Archon Genomics. You and I have been friends for a long time.” “Was that you helping me? With the watch?” I asked. She nodded. “There was only so much I could do. I don’t have full access to Sector 7. I can tap some of the camera feeds. I can eavesdrop on some of the ambient microphones. And I have a friend inside who was willing to place the watch on your wrist and hide the bundle of items in your room.” My mind was spinning. “Who am I?” I asked. She paused for a moment, considering: “Your name is James Blusson. Dr. James Blusson. You are, or were, a Senior Geneticist at Archon Genomics.” Oh ... my God. “You had an accident,” she said. “You were exposed to a very high level of a novel type of radiation we call Beta-64 radiation. It is emitted from something we’re studying here at Archon Genomics called “Substance X.” It did a lot of damage to your memories. It can also cause psychosis, aggression, paranoia ... violence. How are you feeling?” “How long have I been here?” I asked. “Eight days.” “All things considered, I feel ... ok,” I said. “Why did you help me?” “They had no right to imprison you,” she said, “just to keep their secrets hidden. I couldn’t allow it to continue. Look, I’m sure you have a million questions. But we only have another ninety-four seconds before the hole in the Archon Genomics and Sector 7 security coverage I created goes away ... we have to move to a safe place. Then more answers. You have my word.” I nodded. “Lead the way.” I took two steps after her. Then everything went black. Sector 7 CONTAINMENT WARD 1.004.006.465.v.tc.65 Resident 11 Report by: AMBER MORGAN Resident 11 continues to believe that he is Dr. James Blusson. Overall, he was able to overcome the obstacles placed in his way in SECTOR 7 and escape confinement in a 4% shorter time period than in any of his previous 264 attempts. His condition continues to deteriorate. Memory loss is severe and his ability to form new memories appears to be limited to transient short term memories only. Independent memory retrieval continues to be severely impaired. Resident 11 continues to experience paranoia, intermittent periods of rage and violence directed at anyone within his field of vision. He intermittently experiences visual and auditory hallucinations. He also experiences significant disorientation and mental confusion when agitated. Resident 11 has been returned to his cell in SECTOR 7. Escape protocols have been modified per the agreed guidance and the obstacles have been reset. Resident 11 will awaken tonight at roughly 11:34 p.m. local time for his 265th trial in SECTOR 7. *** End of Report

Sector7Exit.com PDF page 1. Download password-protected PDF. Sector7Exit.com PDF page 2. Sector7Exit.com PDF page 3. Sector7Exit.com PDF page 4.