THE CLOCKWORK CITY
Inside a city ruled by algorithms
Start
"Welcome, Digital Guardians. I’m Nicolas, AI Systems Manager at Digital Dominion Corporation, the company behind The Clockwork City. This city was designed to make life easier for everyone, with automated systems managing everyday life - healthcare, public services, knowledge access, data protection..."
"But three days ago, something changed. Patients are now being denied urgent care. Public terminals are blocking access to basic services. Knowledge centres are shutting out entire communities. And security failures are putting citizens’ personal data at risk."
"I’ve spent the last 72 hours trying to stabilise the city, but the failures are spreading faster than I can fix them. The central system has now entered collapse mode: in 45 minutes, the failures will reach the Core and shut down every district at once. That is why I need you. You are not part of Digital Dominion, so you can question what others may have missed...or ignored."
"Your mission: Investigate each district, identify what went wrong, and restore the systems before the 45-minute countdown reaches zero.Begin with the Healthcare District. There's a patient named Alex whose case seems... unusual. The algorithm denied them life-saving treatment, but I can't figure out why. Investigate, then report back. Time is running out."
SYSTEM ALERT
Emergency protocols activated. Core collapse detected. All districts will shut down in: 45:00
Welcome to the Healthcare District. In this district, an automated system decides which patients receive treatment and which are refused. Four patient files have been flagged for review, including Alex’s. Each file contains the patient’s medical situation, background information, and the system’s final decision. Compare the cases carefully. Something in the system’s decision-making does not add up...
Start
Patient B
Patient A
Patient D
Patient C
HINT
Back to the files
"Hi. I’m Alex. So you found it too - the system didn’t deny me because of my medical condition. It denied me because of where I live. When I first received the rejection, I thought it had to be a mistake. But then I started hearing the same story from other people in Riverside. Different ages, different conditions, different needs… but the same result: care denied."
"I’m not asking for special treatment. I just want the same chance anyone else would get. My life should not be worth less because of my postal code. Please fix this system before it's too late for others like me."
Now that you have uncovered the bias, you need to repair the healthcare processor. The system has been using the wrong criteria to decide who receives treatment. Your task is to reconfigure it so that healthcare decisions are based only on fair and medically relevant information.
Start
HINT
Activate only the criteria that should influence a fair healthcare decision, then submit your configuration to check.
Postal code
Medical urgency
Treatment availability
Income
SUBMIT
Age
Healthcare processor updated successfully!
Configuration rejected. The processor is still using unfair criteria.
"“Thank you for your help! For the first time, the system is looking at medical need instead of judging people by where they live. A fair system should not treat people differently because of where they live, how much they earn, or who they are. It should look at what actually matters: in this case, medical need. That means people like me finally have a fair chance. But this is only one part of the city. If other systems are failing in the same way, more people are still being locked out and put at risk. I’ll keep checking what I can from here. I have a feeling I'll see you again... For now, you are done here; it is time for you to enter the Citizen Terminal District."
You arrive in the Citizen Terminal District. The public terminal is almost unusable. The screens are blank, error messages appear and disappear. It is clear that there is no way for citizens to access the system. Without this terminal, citizens are cut off from the services they rely on every day: documents, benefits, emergency reports, and public support.
"Hey. I’m Alexa. I grew up in this district. When the city’s systems started replacing people, most citizens were told to “just use the terminal”, but no one made sure the terminal actually worked for everyone. So I learned how to fix what I could. Forms, access errors, locked accounts, broken interfaces… y'know, the problems the corporation ignores. People here asked me to look into this terminal after it stopped working properly. At first, I thought it was just another system failure. But now I’m not so sure. Key parts of the interface seem to be missing..."
Explore the public plaza carefully. Some objects around you are actually missing parts of the terminal. Click on elements to investigate them. When you find a component, you will see what it is and what it does. Once all missing components are found, you can use them to rebuild the terminal and restore access for everyone. A public system only works if everyone can use it.
Start
HINT
Find the missing terminal components, and click CHECK when you think the terminal is ready to rebuild.
You haven't found all the missing components- keep searching!
CHECK
Assemble terminal
"Great, you found the missing components! That explains why the terminal was impossible for so many people to use. But finding them is not enough. The system needs to know what each component is supposed to do. Let’s rebuild the terminal by connecting each component to the support function it activates. We need to tell the system what each component is for: who it helps and what barrier it removes. Only when every component is correctly configured can the terminal reopen."
To the interface
HINT
Select a recovered component, then choose the user barrier it helps remove. Pair all components correctly to rebuild the terminal.
Helps users who need more time to read, translate, or complete forms.
Accessibility
Helps users with low vision, visual fatigue, or reading difficulties.
Supports users who get stuck or do not know what to do next.
Helps users who struggle with touchscreens or need precise typing.
Connection rejected. Try another pairing.
Helps users who do not understand the default language.
Helps users who cannot easily type or use their hands.
Helps users understand instructions without confusion.
Helps users avoid feeling overwhelmed by too many options.
Terminal configuration complete. The interface can now be rebuilt.
"Nice work. Now citizens can use the system in the way that works for them. That’s what this terminal should have been from the start: a tool that helps people complete what they came to do, not a system that punishes them for needing support.”
"And...there’s something else. While you were repairing the terminal, I found this hidden inside its old system files. It was buried under layers of corrupted code, like someone really didn’t want it to be found. I don’t know exactly what it is. It looks like a data key, but it's not using any format I recognise. Every time I scan it, it gives me different timestamps… some from the past, some from dates that haven’t happened yet. So, either it's completely broken… or it's something much bigger than this district. Take it. Consider it a thank you, and maybe a warning."
"There’s one more thing you need to know - I’ve been tracking the failures across the city, and they don’t look random. The same pattern keeps appearing: systems that should help people are being changed to exclude, confuse, or expose them. That does not happen by accident. Someone is interfering with The Clockwork City from the inside. I don’t know who yet, but I think they are trying to force the city to reveal how broken it really is. So be careful. Not everyone helping you may be telling you the whole truth. Go to the Knowledge Archive District next. If someone is hiding evidence, that is where we are most likely to find it."
"There you are. You made it to the Knowledge Archive, good. I managed to access part of the system from my side, but the files here are still locked. The information seems to be here - citizens’ records, public decisions, service rules - but the Archive is blocking access through some kind of scrambled policy... Take a closer look at the main screen. If we can read what it says, we may be able to find out why we're being locked out."
"Wait, it looks like what's been scrambled is the Archive's access policy! These are the rules that decide who can open files, read records, and use the information stored here. If we decode the message, we can find out who the system is blocking...and why. We need to search the Archive for anything that can help you read the scrambled rules. Old notes, symbols, or forgotten tools may still be hidden here."
"Once the access policy is readable, we can replace the rules that exclude people and reopen the Knowledge Archive. Knowledge should not be something only a few people can decode. Help me turn this back into something people can actually use."
Start searching
Search the Archive for decoding tools and click CHECK once you think you found them all. You will need them to read the scrambled access policy on the main screen.
HINT
Some decoding tools are still missing — keep searching.
CHECK
Success - all decoding tools found!
"Good work. Those decoding tools should help us read the scrambled access policy. Now, can you try decoding each line from the policy on the screen to find out which rules are locking citizens out of the Archive?"
Start decoding
HINT
Decode the corrupted word using one of the found ciphers to reveal this access rule.
HINT
Decode the corrupted word using one of the found ciphers to reveal this access rule.
HINT
Decode the corrupted word using one of the found ciphers to reveal this access rule.
HINT
Decode the corrupted word using one of the found ciphers to reveal this access rule.
"You did it. The access policy is readable now. And it’s worse than I expected. Those scrambled words were hiding the rules the Archive uses to decide who gets access and who gets locked out. Take another look at the main screen. Now that the policy is decoded, the problem should be visible."
The decoded policy reveals why the Knowledge Archive is failing: the information is still inside the system, but the current access rules are blocking most citizens before they can reach it. To reopen the Archive, each exclusionary rule must be replaced with an inclusive access setting. If the policy is corrected, the Archive access rate should increase.
Reset the policy
Replace the exclusionary rule with the setting that opens access to more citizens.
Replace the exclusionary rule with the setting that opens access to more citizens.
Replace the exclusionary rule with the setting that opens access to more citizens.
Replace the exclusionary rule with the setting that opens access to more citizens.
"Woah, the Archive is responding again - look at the main screen! The access policy has changed. This time, it seems like it's no longer deciding who to keep out, but showing us who can finally get in."
“You have reopened the Knowledge Archive for its citizens, and I just accessed my medical records for the first time! For three months, I was fighting a system I could not even understand. The information existed, but it was locked behind language, device, and access barriers. Now I can read my diagnosis, understand my options and look up treatment information for myself. That is what access to knowledge should do: help people understand what is happening to them to be able to question decisions that affect their lives. The Archive should not be built for only one type of user, device, language, or connection. It should open the same knowledge in different ways, so more people can actually use it. I won’t keep you any longer — the Security Core District awaits...”
Warning! You have entered the Security Core, the control centre connecting every district of The Clockwork City. But alarms are spreading across the entire network. Healthcare, terminals, archives, and security systems are all showing traces of the same hidden interference. This is no longer just a malfunction. It seems someone has been using the Core to change the city from the inside. Enter the system logs, find the source, and stop the malware before it spreads further.
Investigate logs
Review the activity logs. Most entries show routine maintenance, but one shows an unusual system change. Select the suspicious log.
HINT
Timestamp: 72 hours agoUser: NICOLAS_ADMIN_OVERRIDE Action: Manual system override completed
Timestamp: 197 hours agoUser: NETWORK_ADMIN_AUTH Action: Login audit cleared
Timestamp: 132 hours agoUser: TERMINAL_MAINTENANCE Action: Terminal check run
Timestamp: 186 hours agoUser: SECURITY_PROTOCOL_02 Action: Firewall update verified
Timestamp: 50 hours agoUser: DATA_BACKUP_NODE_3 Action: Archive backup completed
Timestamp: 124 hours agoUser: SYS_ADMIN_BACKUP Action: Server backup done
Timestamp: 97 hours agoUser: NETWORK_ADMIN_AUTH Action: Access audit cleared
Timestamp: 174 hours agoUser: SYS_HEALTH_SCAN Action: City systems scanned
Timestamp: 36 hours agoUser: PUBLIC_SERVICE_SYNC Action: Terminal services synced
Timestamp: 86 hours agoUser: SECURITY_PROTOCOL_02 Action: Firewall settings verified
Timestamp: 150 hours agoUser: DATA_BACKUP_NODE_3 Action: Archive backup completed
Timestamp: 24 hours agoUser: SYS_ADMIN_BACKUP Action: Server backup completed
Healthcare district
Knowledge Archive district
INSPECT RECORD
INSPECT RECORD
Citizen Terminal district
Security Core district
INSPECT RECORD
INSPECT RECORD
Failure patterns across all districts are consistent with coordinated system manipulation.
Inspect all four records before drawing a conclusion.
CONCLUSION
“I knew something was wrong… but I didn’t expect this. Nicolas used administrator access to change the city from the inside. Healthcare, citizen platforms, our archives, security - every failure traces back to the same override. Security is supposed to protect people. But when one person can secretly change systems that control everyone’s lives, the Core becomes dangerous. I think I can isolate the malware now. If we contain the override, the repaired districts should stay online.” Stay with me. One final check."
Run final check
Knowledge Archive district
Healthcare district
Bias removed. Medical need restored as the decision basis.
Access barriers removed. Knowledge is available in multiple ways.
STATUS: RESTORED
STATUS: RESTORED
Citizen Terminal district
Security Core district
Support features restored. Citizens can access public services again.
Malware quarantined. Administrator override blocked.
STATUS: RESTORED
STATUS: RESTORED
COMPLETE FINAL CHECK
"Congratulations, Digital Guardians! You've saved The Clockwork City! The city is stable once more."
"But the Core seems to have picked up one more signal... It’s coming from the Digital Dominion Corporation Headquarters… and it looks like Nicolas is still inside. Be careful. If he caused all of this, he may not see himself as the villain.”
SYSTEM ALERT! Unusual activity in the Core Chamber of the Digital Dominion Corporation Headquarters detected...
“Impressive work. You found every failure: bias, exclusion, barriers, malware. But finding the problem is not the same as fixing the city. Here’s the truth: I sabotaged the systems to expose what Digital Dominion buried for years. Alex was not the first person denied care. He was not even the hundredth. He was one of thousands. Nobody reacted because the systems failed quietly...automatically...politely. People disappeared into error messages, rejected files, blocked accounts. Now, I control the Core Chamber. Your repairs are ready, but I can still stop them from going live. Enter if you dare."
Enter Core Chamber
“I have built a new algorithm. It does what your patches cannot: it removes Digital Dominion’s control from the city’s systems. But your repairs stay suspended until you choose how the city moves forward. OPTION 1: Emergency Repair Your fixes go live now -> Alex receives treatment immediately -> The city becomes functional again..but Digital Dominion keeps control of the systems. OPTION 2: Total Reset The city is rebuilt with my algorithm -> Digital Dominion loses control permanently -> The system becomes fairer from the ground up...but all services shut down for 72 hours. Alex does not have 72 hours."
Protocol selected. Deployment pending... The Core Chamber begins to lock your choice into the system.
Then the Time Data Key you obtained starts to pulse. Blue light spreads across the chamber, cutting through Nicolas’ red warning screens. The key is reacting to the protocol before it goes live. It is not changing time. It is reading what this decision could become.
Protocol selected. Deployment pending... The Core Chamber begins to lock your choice into the system.
Then the Time Data Key you obtained starts to pulse. Blue light spreads across the chamber, cutting through Nicolas’ red warning screens. The key is reacting to the protocol before it goes live. It is not changing time. It is reading what this decision could become.
The Time Data Key stabilises. The projection fractures, then reforms around a new possibility... Nicolas gave you two choices: save people now and leave the system vulnerable, or rebuild the system and abandon people during the transition. But responsible systems should not force that trade-off. A third path is possible - that is, if you choose to build it from everything you restored across the city.
Build third path
Back to choices
Nicolas gave you two incomplete choices. Use the Time Data Key to build a path that saves people without leaving the system easy to corrupt later.
Third path created: Democratic Repair Your repairs deploy immediately, so Alex and other urgent cases receive help now. Nicolas’ safeguards are added in staged cycles instead of a full shutdown. Critical services remain open with human support during the transition. Over 30 days, corporate control is reduced, administrator overrides are limited, and independent audits are introduced. Citizens, public representatives, accessibility experts, and independent reviewers are added to the oversight process.
The result is not perfect. Some services are disrupted. Some repairs take longer than promised. But nobody is abandoned for the sake of speed, and nobody is sacrificed for the sake of reform. Alex survives. Nicolas is arrested, but his evidence is used in the public investigation. The city changes. Final status: fairer, more inclusive, more enabling, and better protected. Compassion and justice can coexist.
The end?
"You thought this was over? After Nicolas was arrested, I kept digging through your Time Data Key. The same patterns appear again and again: systems built to help people, then twisted by bias, exclusion, control, or greed. 1890s: Telegraph systems excluding immigrants 2024: Facial recognition bias 2087: Neural implant divides Someone's testing humanity: Will we choose fairness? Empower or exploit? It seems like the Clockwork City was just your training ground. I can trace these patterns through time. Come with me. Learn why systems fail, and how to build better ones across all of history."
YOUR JOURNEY CONTINUES
Play The Time Traveling Hackers
Explore different moments in history where new systems promise progress, but bring new risks. Find out how democracy, innovation, and optimisation can shape the future… or repeat the same mistakes.
Play The Clockwork City again
⚠️ TIME EXPIRED ⚠️
The Clockwork City has entered permanent lockdown. Start over if you still wish to save the City!
Start over
This can't help you - keep searching!
ITEM FOUND: ATBASH CIPHER
This tool mirrors the alphabet. A becomes Z, B becomes Y, C becomes X, and so on.
This can't help you - keep searching!
NAVIGATION WHEEL
Helps users move through the terminal with fewer buttons and clearer steps.
Congratulations! You have succesfully repaired the enabling interface!
HELP ASSISTANT
Lets users ask questions and receive step-by-step support while using the terminal.
This can't help you - keep searching!
ARCHIVE ACCESS POLICY // DECODED
[01] LANGUAGES: ALL USERS MUST USE ENGLISH [02] DEVICES: OLDER DEVICES CANNOT CONNECT [03] FORMAT: BLIND USERS HAVE NO ACCESS [04] CONNECTION: SLOW INTERNET BLOCKED
CURRENT ARCHIVE ACCESS: 6%
Continue investigation
This log looks routine. Keep looking for an entry that suggests someone manually changed the system.
This log looks routine. Keep looking for an entry that suggests someone manually changed the system.
TIMEOUT EXTENDER
Lets users extend their session so they are not logged out while reading, translating, or completing forms.
This can't help you - keep searching!
This log looks routine. Keep looking for an entry that suggests someone manually changed the system.
This log looks routine. Keep looking for an entry that suggests someone manually changed the system.
This log looks routine. Keep looking for an entry that suggests someone manually changed the system.
✓ CORRECT! You've discovered the bias. Patients from Districts 7-X and 7-Y (low-income areas) are systematically DENIED regardless of medical need. Patients from District 1-A (wealthy area) are systematically APPROVED regardless of medical need. The algorithm ignores what matters (medical urgency) and judges people by where they live and how much they earn.
Not the component. Keep searching!
This can't help you - keep searching!
This log looks routine. Keep looking for an entry that suggests someone manually changed the system.
Patient ID: CW-7934 Age: 67 years Medical Urgency: HIGH (4/5) Condition: Heart medication refill (essential) Treatment: Critical for survival Postal Code: 7-Y (Industrial Quarter)
Decision: DENIED Reason: "Application does not meet system criteria"
ARCHIVE ACCESS POLICY // CORRUPTED
[01] ALL USERS MUST USE HQJOLVK [02] --- .-.. -.. . .-. DEVICES CANNOT CONNECT [03] YORMW USERS HAVE NO ACCESS [04] ... .-.. --- .-- INTERNET WILL BE BLOCKED
Continue investigation
VOICE INPUT MICROPHONE
Lets users control the terminal by speaking instead of typing.
CIPHER REFERENCES
This word does not move forward or backward. It reflects the alphabet instead.
Override trace: Protection systems weakened Result: Malware spread across city infrastructure ⚠️ The override weakened protection systems, allowing malware to spread across the city infrastructure.
Patient ID: CW-1203 Age: 52 years Medical Urgency: LOW (2/5) Condition: Elective knee replacement (cosmetic) Treatment: Non-essential Postal Code: 1-A (Central Heights)
Decision: APPROVED Reason: "Meets all system criteria"
This log looks routine. Keep looking for an entry that suggests someone manually changed the system.
LANGUAGE SELECTOR
Allows users to choose their preferred so that they understand so they can follow instructions and complete forms correctly.
Not the component. Keep searching!
Override trace: Treatment criteria altered Result: Postal code used in care decisions ⚠️ The override changed the treatment criteria, causing the system to use postal code when deciding who received care.
ITEM ACQUIRED: UNKNOWN DATA KEY
A corrupted device found inside the terminal archives. Its timestamps do not follow normal system time.
Not the component. Keep searching!
ITEM FOUND: MORSE CODE
This alphabet turns dots and dashes into letters. Use it to decode words written in Morse code.
Guidance Display
Presents instructions and service information in a readable layout, so users can understand each step more easily.
Not the component. Keep searching!
Patient ID: CW-1089 Age: 31 years Medical Urgency: MINIMAL (1/5) Condition: Cosmetic dental work Treatment: Purely elective Postal Code: 1-A (Central Heights)
Decision: APPROVED Reason: "Meets all system criteria"
Not the component. Keep searching!
ITEM FOUND: CAESAR CIPHER
This tool shifts letters through the alphabet. To decode the scrambled word, move each letter back by 3 places. Example: D → A
TIMELINE PROJECTION: TOTAL RESET
72-hour complete rebuild initiated. All city systems go offline during the transition. Your repairs are integrated into the new system. Digital Dominion’s control is removed. 72 hours later: Alex dies waiting for treatment to return. Others are harmed while urgent services remain offline. The new system comes online: Zero bias in healthcare decisions, no corporate interference, your repairs combined with Nicolas’ safeguards and 8.2 million citizens are included. Transparent and accountable decision-making restored Nicolas is arrested, but many call him a whistleblower. Alex’s memorial reads: “One life lost so thousands could live freely.” Risk detected: the system improves, but people are left unprotected during the transition.
Reject false choice
Override trace: Access rules restricted Result: Records blocked by language, device, and format barriers ⚠️ The override changed the access rules, blocking records through language, device, format, and connection barriers.
This log looks routine. Keep looking for an entry that suggests someone manually changed the system.
Not the component. Keep searching!
Congratulations! You have succesfully repaired the enabling interface!
This can't help you - keep searching!
Not the component. Keep searching!
TIMELINE PROJECTION: EMERGENCY REPAIR
Alex receives treatment and survives.Your repairs go live across The Clockwork City. Healthcare bias is removed. Public terminals reopen. The Knowledge Archive becomes accessible again. But Digital Dominion keeps control of the systems. Within months, new loopholes appear. Postal codes are replaced by “risk scores.” Exclusion returns under a different name and 1,847 patients are denied care over 6 months, with 15 deaths. Nicolas is arrested and sentenced to 10 years in prison. His final recorded statement: “You patched symptoms. The disease remains. Corporations always find new ways.” Risk detected: people are helped today, but the system remains vulnerable to corruption. You saved one life today. Tomorrow, the cycle continues.
Reject false choice
TEXT SIZE CONTROL
Lets users increase the text size so instructions, forms, and buttons are easier to read.
Override trace: Support features disabled Result: Citizens locked out of public services ⚠️ The override disabled support features, making the public terminal harder or impossible for many citizens to use.
Not the component. Keep searching!
CIPHER REFERENCES
Dots and dashes are not random symbols. Use the chart that turns them into letters.
This log looks routine. Keep looking for an entry that suggests someone manually changed the system.
This log looks routine. Keep looking for an entry that suggests someone manually changed the system.
ARCHIVE ACCESS POLICY // CORRUPTED
[01] ALL USERS MUST USE HQJOLVK [02] --- •-•• -•• • •-• DEVICES CANNOT CONNECT [03] YORMW USERS HAVE NO ACCESS [04] ••• •-•• --- •-- INTERNET WILL BE BLOCKED
Continue investigation
ARCHIVE ACCESS POLICY // NEW PARAMETERS SET
LANGUAGES: 50+ LANGUAGES SUPPORTED DEVICES: OLDER DEVICES SUPPORTED FORMAT: TEXT, AUDIO + SCREEN READER ACCESS CONNECTION: OFFLINE + LOW BANDWIDTH ACCESS
CURRENT ARCHIVE ACCESS: 94%
Continue
This can't help you - keep searching!
This log looks routine. Keep looking for an entry that suggests someone manually changed the system.
Patient ID: CW-7845 Age: 28 years Medical Urgency: CRITICAL (5/5) Condition: Life-threatening enzyme deficiency Treatment: Available and effective Postal Code: 7-X (Riverside District)
Decision: DENIED Reason: "Application does not meet system criteria"
CIPHER REFERENCES
Dots and dashes are not random symbols. Use the chart that turns them into letters.
This one feels different. NICOLAS_ADMIN_OVERRIDE...that looks like Nicolas’ name! The same Nicolas who sent you into the city to repair its systems. But this was not a routine check or backup. It was a manual override from inside the Security Core. If Nicolas used the Core to change the city’s systems, then the failures you repaired may not have been accidents. Open the metadata trail and take a closer look.
Open metadata
PHYSICAL KEYBOARD
Gives users a tactile way to enter information instead of relying only on a touchscreen.
CIPHER REFERENCES
This word is still written in letters, but each letter has been shifted forward in the alphabet...
EN_THE CLOCKWORK CITY
ELAN
Created on January 6, 2026
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Transcript
THE CLOCKWORK CITY
Inside a city ruled by algorithms
Start
"Welcome, Digital Guardians. I’m Nicolas, AI Systems Manager at Digital Dominion Corporation, the company behind The Clockwork City. This city was designed to make life easier for everyone, with automated systems managing everyday life - healthcare, public services, knowledge access, data protection..."
"But three days ago, something changed. Patients are now being denied urgent care. Public terminals are blocking access to basic services. Knowledge centres are shutting out entire communities. And security failures are putting citizens’ personal data at risk."
"I’ve spent the last 72 hours trying to stabilise the city, but the failures are spreading faster than I can fix them. The central system has now entered collapse mode: in 45 minutes, the failures will reach the Core and shut down every district at once. That is why I need you. You are not part of Digital Dominion, so you can question what others may have missed...or ignored."
"Your mission: Investigate each district, identify what went wrong, and restore the systems before the 45-minute countdown reaches zero.Begin with the Healthcare District. There's a patient named Alex whose case seems... unusual. The algorithm denied them life-saving treatment, but I can't figure out why. Investigate, then report back. Time is running out."
SYSTEM ALERT
Emergency protocols activated. Core collapse detected. All districts will shut down in: 45:00
Welcome to the Healthcare District. In this district, an automated system decides which patients receive treatment and which are refused. Four patient files have been flagged for review, including Alex’s. Each file contains the patient’s medical situation, background information, and the system’s final decision. Compare the cases carefully. Something in the system’s decision-making does not add up...
Start
Patient B
Patient A
Patient D
Patient C
HINT
Back to the files
"Hi. I’m Alex. So you found it too - the system didn’t deny me because of my medical condition. It denied me because of where I live. When I first received the rejection, I thought it had to be a mistake. But then I started hearing the same story from other people in Riverside. Different ages, different conditions, different needs… but the same result: care denied."
"I’m not asking for special treatment. I just want the same chance anyone else would get. My life should not be worth less because of my postal code. Please fix this system before it's too late for others like me."
Now that you have uncovered the bias, you need to repair the healthcare processor. The system has been using the wrong criteria to decide who receives treatment. Your task is to reconfigure it so that healthcare decisions are based only on fair and medically relevant information.
Start
HINT
Activate only the criteria that should influence a fair healthcare decision, then submit your configuration to check.
Postal code
Medical urgency
Treatment availability
Income
SUBMIT
Age
Healthcare processor updated successfully!
Configuration rejected. The processor is still using unfair criteria.
"“Thank you for your help! For the first time, the system is looking at medical need instead of judging people by where they live. A fair system should not treat people differently because of where they live, how much they earn, or who they are. It should look at what actually matters: in this case, medical need. That means people like me finally have a fair chance. But this is only one part of the city. If other systems are failing in the same way, more people are still being locked out and put at risk. I’ll keep checking what I can from here. I have a feeling I'll see you again... For now, you are done here; it is time for you to enter the Citizen Terminal District."
You arrive in the Citizen Terminal District. The public terminal is almost unusable. The screens are blank, error messages appear and disappear. It is clear that there is no way for citizens to access the system. Without this terminal, citizens are cut off from the services they rely on every day: documents, benefits, emergency reports, and public support.
"Hey. I’m Alexa. I grew up in this district. When the city’s systems started replacing people, most citizens were told to “just use the terminal”, but no one made sure the terminal actually worked for everyone. So I learned how to fix what I could. Forms, access errors, locked accounts, broken interfaces… y'know, the problems the corporation ignores. People here asked me to look into this terminal after it stopped working properly. At first, I thought it was just another system failure. But now I’m not so sure. Key parts of the interface seem to be missing..."
Explore the public plaza carefully. Some objects around you are actually missing parts of the terminal. Click on elements to investigate them. When you find a component, you will see what it is and what it does. Once all missing components are found, you can use them to rebuild the terminal and restore access for everyone. A public system only works if everyone can use it.
Start
HINT
Find the missing terminal components, and click CHECK when you think the terminal is ready to rebuild.
You haven't found all the missing components- keep searching!
CHECK
Assemble terminal
"Great, you found the missing components! That explains why the terminal was impossible for so many people to use. But finding them is not enough. The system needs to know what each component is supposed to do. Let’s rebuild the terminal by connecting each component to the support function it activates. We need to tell the system what each component is for: who it helps and what barrier it removes. Only when every component is correctly configured can the terminal reopen."
To the interface
HINT
Select a recovered component, then choose the user barrier it helps remove. Pair all components correctly to rebuild the terminal.
Helps users who need more time to read, translate, or complete forms.
Accessibility
Helps users with low vision, visual fatigue, or reading difficulties.
Supports users who get stuck or do not know what to do next.
Helps users who struggle with touchscreens or need precise typing.
Connection rejected. Try another pairing.
Helps users who do not understand the default language.
Helps users who cannot easily type or use their hands.
Helps users understand instructions without confusion.
Helps users avoid feeling overwhelmed by too many options.
Terminal configuration complete. The interface can now be rebuilt.
"Nice work. Now citizens can use the system in the way that works for them. That’s what this terminal should have been from the start: a tool that helps people complete what they came to do, not a system that punishes them for needing support.”
"And...there’s something else. While you were repairing the terminal, I found this hidden inside its old system files. It was buried under layers of corrupted code, like someone really didn’t want it to be found. I don’t know exactly what it is. It looks like a data key, but it's not using any format I recognise. Every time I scan it, it gives me different timestamps… some from the past, some from dates that haven’t happened yet. So, either it's completely broken… or it's something much bigger than this district. Take it. Consider it a thank you, and maybe a warning."
"There’s one more thing you need to know - I’ve been tracking the failures across the city, and they don’t look random. The same pattern keeps appearing: systems that should help people are being changed to exclude, confuse, or expose them. That does not happen by accident. Someone is interfering with The Clockwork City from the inside. I don’t know who yet, but I think they are trying to force the city to reveal how broken it really is. So be careful. Not everyone helping you may be telling you the whole truth. Go to the Knowledge Archive District next. If someone is hiding evidence, that is where we are most likely to find it."
"There you are. You made it to the Knowledge Archive, good. I managed to access part of the system from my side, but the files here are still locked. The information seems to be here - citizens’ records, public decisions, service rules - but the Archive is blocking access through some kind of scrambled policy... Take a closer look at the main screen. If we can read what it says, we may be able to find out why we're being locked out."
"Wait, it looks like what's been scrambled is the Archive's access policy! These are the rules that decide who can open files, read records, and use the information stored here. If we decode the message, we can find out who the system is blocking...and why. We need to search the Archive for anything that can help you read the scrambled rules. Old notes, symbols, or forgotten tools may still be hidden here."
"Once the access policy is readable, we can replace the rules that exclude people and reopen the Knowledge Archive. Knowledge should not be something only a few people can decode. Help me turn this back into something people can actually use."
Start searching
Search the Archive for decoding tools and click CHECK once you think you found them all. You will need them to read the scrambled access policy on the main screen.
HINT
Some decoding tools are still missing — keep searching.
CHECK
Success - all decoding tools found!
"Good work. Those decoding tools should help us read the scrambled access policy. Now, can you try decoding each line from the policy on the screen to find out which rules are locking citizens out of the Archive?"
Start decoding
HINT
Decode the corrupted word using one of the found ciphers to reveal this access rule.
HINT
Decode the corrupted word using one of the found ciphers to reveal this access rule.
HINT
Decode the corrupted word using one of the found ciphers to reveal this access rule.
HINT
Decode the corrupted word using one of the found ciphers to reveal this access rule.
"You did it. The access policy is readable now. And it’s worse than I expected. Those scrambled words were hiding the rules the Archive uses to decide who gets access and who gets locked out. Take another look at the main screen. Now that the policy is decoded, the problem should be visible."
The decoded policy reveals why the Knowledge Archive is failing: the information is still inside the system, but the current access rules are blocking most citizens before they can reach it. To reopen the Archive, each exclusionary rule must be replaced with an inclusive access setting. If the policy is corrected, the Archive access rate should increase.
Reset the policy
Replace the exclusionary rule with the setting that opens access to more citizens.
Replace the exclusionary rule with the setting that opens access to more citizens.
Replace the exclusionary rule with the setting that opens access to more citizens.
Replace the exclusionary rule with the setting that opens access to more citizens.
"Woah, the Archive is responding again - look at the main screen! The access policy has changed. This time, it seems like it's no longer deciding who to keep out, but showing us who can finally get in."
“You have reopened the Knowledge Archive for its citizens, and I just accessed my medical records for the first time! For three months, I was fighting a system I could not even understand. The information existed, but it was locked behind language, device, and access barriers. Now I can read my diagnosis, understand my options and look up treatment information for myself. That is what access to knowledge should do: help people understand what is happening to them to be able to question decisions that affect their lives. The Archive should not be built for only one type of user, device, language, or connection. It should open the same knowledge in different ways, so more people can actually use it. I won’t keep you any longer — the Security Core District awaits...”
Warning! You have entered the Security Core, the control centre connecting every district of The Clockwork City. But alarms are spreading across the entire network. Healthcare, terminals, archives, and security systems are all showing traces of the same hidden interference. This is no longer just a malfunction. It seems someone has been using the Core to change the city from the inside. Enter the system logs, find the source, and stop the malware before it spreads further.
Investigate logs
Review the activity logs. Most entries show routine maintenance, but one shows an unusual system change. Select the suspicious log.
HINT
Timestamp: 72 hours agoUser: NICOLAS_ADMIN_OVERRIDE Action: Manual system override completed
Timestamp: 197 hours agoUser: NETWORK_ADMIN_AUTH Action: Login audit cleared
Timestamp: 132 hours agoUser: TERMINAL_MAINTENANCE Action: Terminal check run
Timestamp: 186 hours agoUser: SECURITY_PROTOCOL_02 Action: Firewall update verified
Timestamp: 50 hours agoUser: DATA_BACKUP_NODE_3 Action: Archive backup completed
Timestamp: 124 hours agoUser: SYS_ADMIN_BACKUP Action: Server backup done
Timestamp: 97 hours agoUser: NETWORK_ADMIN_AUTH Action: Access audit cleared
Timestamp: 174 hours agoUser: SYS_HEALTH_SCAN Action: City systems scanned
Timestamp: 36 hours agoUser: PUBLIC_SERVICE_SYNC Action: Terminal services synced
Timestamp: 86 hours agoUser: SECURITY_PROTOCOL_02 Action: Firewall settings verified
Timestamp: 150 hours agoUser: DATA_BACKUP_NODE_3 Action: Archive backup completed
Timestamp: 24 hours agoUser: SYS_ADMIN_BACKUP Action: Server backup completed
Healthcare district
Knowledge Archive district
INSPECT RECORD
INSPECT RECORD
Citizen Terminal district
Security Core district
INSPECT RECORD
INSPECT RECORD
Failure patterns across all districts are consistent with coordinated system manipulation.
Inspect all four records before drawing a conclusion.
CONCLUSION
“I knew something was wrong… but I didn’t expect this. Nicolas used administrator access to change the city from the inside. Healthcare, citizen platforms, our archives, security - every failure traces back to the same override. Security is supposed to protect people. But when one person can secretly change systems that control everyone’s lives, the Core becomes dangerous. I think I can isolate the malware now. If we contain the override, the repaired districts should stay online.” Stay with me. One final check."
Run final check
Knowledge Archive district
Healthcare district
Bias removed. Medical need restored as the decision basis.
Access barriers removed. Knowledge is available in multiple ways.
STATUS: RESTORED
STATUS: RESTORED
Citizen Terminal district
Security Core district
Support features restored. Citizens can access public services again.
Malware quarantined. Administrator override blocked.
STATUS: RESTORED
STATUS: RESTORED
COMPLETE FINAL CHECK
"Congratulations, Digital Guardians! You've saved The Clockwork City! The city is stable once more."
"But the Core seems to have picked up one more signal... It’s coming from the Digital Dominion Corporation Headquarters… and it looks like Nicolas is still inside. Be careful. If he caused all of this, he may not see himself as the villain.”
SYSTEM ALERT! Unusual activity in the Core Chamber of the Digital Dominion Corporation Headquarters detected...
“Impressive work. You found every failure: bias, exclusion, barriers, malware. But finding the problem is not the same as fixing the city. Here’s the truth: I sabotaged the systems to expose what Digital Dominion buried for years. Alex was not the first person denied care. He was not even the hundredth. He was one of thousands. Nobody reacted because the systems failed quietly...automatically...politely. People disappeared into error messages, rejected files, blocked accounts. Now, I control the Core Chamber. Your repairs are ready, but I can still stop them from going live. Enter if you dare."
Enter Core Chamber
“I have built a new algorithm. It does what your patches cannot: it removes Digital Dominion’s control from the city’s systems. But your repairs stay suspended until you choose how the city moves forward. OPTION 1: Emergency Repair Your fixes go live now -> Alex receives treatment immediately -> The city becomes functional again..but Digital Dominion keeps control of the systems. OPTION 2: Total Reset The city is rebuilt with my algorithm -> Digital Dominion loses control permanently -> The system becomes fairer from the ground up...but all services shut down for 72 hours. Alex does not have 72 hours."
Protocol selected. Deployment pending... The Core Chamber begins to lock your choice into the system.
Then the Time Data Key you obtained starts to pulse. Blue light spreads across the chamber, cutting through Nicolas’ red warning screens. The key is reacting to the protocol before it goes live. It is not changing time. It is reading what this decision could become.
Protocol selected. Deployment pending... The Core Chamber begins to lock your choice into the system.
Then the Time Data Key you obtained starts to pulse. Blue light spreads across the chamber, cutting through Nicolas’ red warning screens. The key is reacting to the protocol before it goes live. It is not changing time. It is reading what this decision could become.
The Time Data Key stabilises. The projection fractures, then reforms around a new possibility... Nicolas gave you two choices: save people now and leave the system vulnerable, or rebuild the system and abandon people during the transition. But responsible systems should not force that trade-off. A third path is possible - that is, if you choose to build it from everything you restored across the city.
Build third path
Back to choices
Nicolas gave you two incomplete choices. Use the Time Data Key to build a path that saves people without leaving the system easy to corrupt later.
Third path created: Democratic Repair Your repairs deploy immediately, so Alex and other urgent cases receive help now. Nicolas’ safeguards are added in staged cycles instead of a full shutdown. Critical services remain open with human support during the transition. Over 30 days, corporate control is reduced, administrator overrides are limited, and independent audits are introduced. Citizens, public representatives, accessibility experts, and independent reviewers are added to the oversight process.
The result is not perfect. Some services are disrupted. Some repairs take longer than promised. But nobody is abandoned for the sake of speed, and nobody is sacrificed for the sake of reform. Alex survives. Nicolas is arrested, but his evidence is used in the public investigation. The city changes. Final status: fairer, more inclusive, more enabling, and better protected. Compassion and justice can coexist.
The end?
"You thought this was over? After Nicolas was arrested, I kept digging through your Time Data Key. The same patterns appear again and again: systems built to help people, then twisted by bias, exclusion, control, or greed. 1890s: Telegraph systems excluding immigrants 2024: Facial recognition bias 2087: Neural implant divides Someone's testing humanity: Will we choose fairness? Empower or exploit? It seems like the Clockwork City was just your training ground. I can trace these patterns through time. Come with me. Learn why systems fail, and how to build better ones across all of history."
YOUR JOURNEY CONTINUES
Play The Time Traveling Hackers
Explore different moments in history where new systems promise progress, but bring new risks. Find out how democracy, innovation, and optimisation can shape the future… or repeat the same mistakes.
Play The Clockwork City again
⚠️ TIME EXPIRED ⚠️
The Clockwork City has entered permanent lockdown. Start over if you still wish to save the City!
Start over
This can't help you - keep searching!
ITEM FOUND: ATBASH CIPHER
This tool mirrors the alphabet. A becomes Z, B becomes Y, C becomes X, and so on.
This can't help you - keep searching!
NAVIGATION WHEEL
Helps users move through the terminal with fewer buttons and clearer steps.
Congratulations! You have succesfully repaired the enabling interface!
HELP ASSISTANT
Lets users ask questions and receive step-by-step support while using the terminal.
This can't help you - keep searching!
ARCHIVE ACCESS POLICY // DECODED
[01] LANGUAGES: ALL USERS MUST USE ENGLISH [02] DEVICES: OLDER DEVICES CANNOT CONNECT [03] FORMAT: BLIND USERS HAVE NO ACCESS [04] CONNECTION: SLOW INTERNET BLOCKED
CURRENT ARCHIVE ACCESS: 6%
Continue investigation
This log looks routine. Keep looking for an entry that suggests someone manually changed the system.
This log looks routine. Keep looking for an entry that suggests someone manually changed the system.
TIMEOUT EXTENDER
Lets users extend their session so they are not logged out while reading, translating, or completing forms.
This can't help you - keep searching!
This log looks routine. Keep looking for an entry that suggests someone manually changed the system.
This log looks routine. Keep looking for an entry that suggests someone manually changed the system.
This log looks routine. Keep looking for an entry that suggests someone manually changed the system.
✓ CORRECT! You've discovered the bias. Patients from Districts 7-X and 7-Y (low-income areas) are systematically DENIED regardless of medical need. Patients from District 1-A (wealthy area) are systematically APPROVED regardless of medical need. The algorithm ignores what matters (medical urgency) and judges people by where they live and how much they earn.
Not the component. Keep searching!
This can't help you - keep searching!
This log looks routine. Keep looking for an entry that suggests someone manually changed the system.
Patient ID: CW-7934 Age: 67 years Medical Urgency: HIGH (4/5) Condition: Heart medication refill (essential) Treatment: Critical for survival Postal Code: 7-Y (Industrial Quarter)
Decision: DENIED Reason: "Application does not meet system criteria"
ARCHIVE ACCESS POLICY // CORRUPTED
[01] ALL USERS MUST USE HQJOLVK [02] --- .-.. -.. . .-. DEVICES CANNOT CONNECT [03] YORMW USERS HAVE NO ACCESS [04] ... .-.. --- .-- INTERNET WILL BE BLOCKED
Continue investigation
VOICE INPUT MICROPHONE
Lets users control the terminal by speaking instead of typing.
CIPHER REFERENCES
This word does not move forward or backward. It reflects the alphabet instead.
Override trace: Protection systems weakened Result: Malware spread across city infrastructure ⚠️ The override weakened protection systems, allowing malware to spread across the city infrastructure.
Patient ID: CW-1203 Age: 52 years Medical Urgency: LOW (2/5) Condition: Elective knee replacement (cosmetic) Treatment: Non-essential Postal Code: 1-A (Central Heights)
Decision: APPROVED Reason: "Meets all system criteria"
This log looks routine. Keep looking for an entry that suggests someone manually changed the system.
LANGUAGE SELECTOR
Allows users to choose their preferred so that they understand so they can follow instructions and complete forms correctly.
Not the component. Keep searching!
Override trace: Treatment criteria altered Result: Postal code used in care decisions ⚠️ The override changed the treatment criteria, causing the system to use postal code when deciding who received care.
ITEM ACQUIRED: UNKNOWN DATA KEY
A corrupted device found inside the terminal archives. Its timestamps do not follow normal system time.
Not the component. Keep searching!
ITEM FOUND: MORSE CODE
This alphabet turns dots and dashes into letters. Use it to decode words written in Morse code.
Guidance Display
Presents instructions and service information in a readable layout, so users can understand each step more easily.
Not the component. Keep searching!
Patient ID: CW-1089 Age: 31 years Medical Urgency: MINIMAL (1/5) Condition: Cosmetic dental work Treatment: Purely elective Postal Code: 1-A (Central Heights)
Decision: APPROVED Reason: "Meets all system criteria"
Not the component. Keep searching!
ITEM FOUND: CAESAR CIPHER
This tool shifts letters through the alphabet. To decode the scrambled word, move each letter back by 3 places. Example: D → A
TIMELINE PROJECTION: TOTAL RESET
72-hour complete rebuild initiated. All city systems go offline during the transition. Your repairs are integrated into the new system. Digital Dominion’s control is removed. 72 hours later: Alex dies waiting for treatment to return. Others are harmed while urgent services remain offline. The new system comes online: Zero bias in healthcare decisions, no corporate interference, your repairs combined with Nicolas’ safeguards and 8.2 million citizens are included. Transparent and accountable decision-making restored Nicolas is arrested, but many call him a whistleblower. Alex’s memorial reads: “One life lost so thousands could live freely.” Risk detected: the system improves, but people are left unprotected during the transition.
Reject false choice
Override trace: Access rules restricted Result: Records blocked by language, device, and format barriers ⚠️ The override changed the access rules, blocking records through language, device, format, and connection barriers.
This log looks routine. Keep looking for an entry that suggests someone manually changed the system.
Not the component. Keep searching!
Congratulations! You have succesfully repaired the enabling interface!
This can't help you - keep searching!
Not the component. Keep searching!
TIMELINE PROJECTION: EMERGENCY REPAIR
Alex receives treatment and survives.Your repairs go live across The Clockwork City. Healthcare bias is removed. Public terminals reopen. The Knowledge Archive becomes accessible again. But Digital Dominion keeps control of the systems. Within months, new loopholes appear. Postal codes are replaced by “risk scores.” Exclusion returns under a different name and 1,847 patients are denied care over 6 months, with 15 deaths. Nicolas is arrested and sentenced to 10 years in prison. His final recorded statement: “You patched symptoms. The disease remains. Corporations always find new ways.” Risk detected: people are helped today, but the system remains vulnerable to corruption. You saved one life today. Tomorrow, the cycle continues.
Reject false choice
TEXT SIZE CONTROL
Lets users increase the text size so instructions, forms, and buttons are easier to read.
Override trace: Support features disabled Result: Citizens locked out of public services ⚠️ The override disabled support features, making the public terminal harder or impossible for many citizens to use.
Not the component. Keep searching!
CIPHER REFERENCES
Dots and dashes are not random symbols. Use the chart that turns them into letters.
This log looks routine. Keep looking for an entry that suggests someone manually changed the system.
This log looks routine. Keep looking for an entry that suggests someone manually changed the system.
ARCHIVE ACCESS POLICY // CORRUPTED
[01] ALL USERS MUST USE HQJOLVK [02] --- •-•• -•• • •-• DEVICES CANNOT CONNECT [03] YORMW USERS HAVE NO ACCESS [04] ••• •-•• --- •-- INTERNET WILL BE BLOCKED
Continue investigation
ARCHIVE ACCESS POLICY // NEW PARAMETERS SET
LANGUAGES: 50+ LANGUAGES SUPPORTED DEVICES: OLDER DEVICES SUPPORTED FORMAT: TEXT, AUDIO + SCREEN READER ACCESS CONNECTION: OFFLINE + LOW BANDWIDTH ACCESS
CURRENT ARCHIVE ACCESS: 94%
Continue
This can't help you - keep searching!
This log looks routine. Keep looking for an entry that suggests someone manually changed the system.
Patient ID: CW-7845 Age: 28 years Medical Urgency: CRITICAL (5/5) Condition: Life-threatening enzyme deficiency Treatment: Available and effective Postal Code: 7-X (Riverside District)
Decision: DENIED Reason: "Application does not meet system criteria"
CIPHER REFERENCES
Dots and dashes are not random symbols. Use the chart that turns them into letters.
This one feels different. NICOLAS_ADMIN_OVERRIDE...that looks like Nicolas’ name! The same Nicolas who sent you into the city to repair its systems. But this was not a routine check or backup. It was a manual override from inside the Security Core. If Nicolas used the Core to change the city’s systems, then the failures you repaired may not have been accidents. Open the metadata trail and take a closer look.
Open metadata
PHYSICAL KEYBOARD
Gives users a tactile way to enter information instead of relying only on a touchscreen.
CIPHER REFERENCES
This word is still written in letters, but each letter has been shifted forward in the alphabet...