Task 1

The Binary Gauntlet

Points for this task: 50

The Binary Gauntlet

A challenge only the most perceptive members of the Rebel Alliance can overcome.

Welcome, young Padawan, to The Binary Gauntlet – a cryptographic trial embedded inside a 20×20 galactic pixel grid. Only those who can decode the transmission hidden within shall retrieve the encrypted secret held tightly by the Empire.

Mission Objective

Your task is to:

  • Traverse a pixel-based grid using custom Jedi traversal rules.
  • Extract binary data from each valid cell (Black = 1, White = 0).
  • Respect all movement constraints set by the Jedi Council.
  • Decode the resulting binary stream into a 13-character ASCII passphrase.
  • Use this passphrase to unlock a zip file and recover a classified Rebel video transmission.

The Galactic Grid

Each pixel is a cell of traversal. The colors and their meanings are as follows:

Pixel Color Meaning
White (255,255,255) Binary 0 – valid step
Black (0,0,0) Binary 1 – valid step
Red (255,0,0) Forbidden Zone – stepping here = mission failure
Blue (0,0,255) Checkpoints – must pass through in order
Green (0,255,0) Starting point (for visual aid only)

Jedi Traversal Rules & Collection Rules

  1. Valid Steps Only: Step only on black or white pixels.
    Red pixels are traps — they trigger alarms and end your mission.

  2. Bit Extraction:
    • Step on White → record 0
    • Step on Black → record 1
    • Order matters: record bits in the order of your steps
    • Each character is encoded as 8 bits (standard ASCII).
    • After every 8 bits (one character), the 9th cell is a blue checkpoint.
  3. Checkpoint Protocol:
    • You must visit blue pixels in the exact order they appear in the galaxy.
  4. No Re-Tracing:
    • Do not step twice on any pixel — each move is final.

Hint from Master Yoda

To uncover the message, you must follow the serpent’s trail: From the glowing green, your path begins, Right you go, ‘til the row thins. Drop down once, then switch your stride, Now to the left, let logic guide. Down again, the pattern stays, Right then left in woven ways. A zig, a zag across the floor, The serpent winds to unlock the lore.

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Expected Outcome

  • You will collect 112 binary bits during your journey.
  • Convert these into 13 ASCII characters using the ways of the Jedi.
  • This string is the password to unlock the zip file:
    secret.zip
  • Inside the archive lies a critical video transmission. Share it with the Rebellion and claim your reward.

Mission Visual

Binary Gauntlet Grid

The Empire hides its secrets in plain sight — only a true decoder of the Force will succeed.
This is your trial. May the Source be with you.

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