Operation Instinct



Operation Instinct is a puzzle-solving game found on the FOX official website. Each week, starting from January 12, 2009, a new puzzle was unlocked.

The timeline of Instinct follows that of Day 7.

Synopsis
The game begins with a welcome message, saying that the player came highly recommended. The operation is then explained: "we've managed to tap an encrypted communication channel. It's transmitting intel we believe vital to our current operations, but in severely scrambled form. Your mission: decrypt each transmission. We expect to intercept one every 7 days and will activate a mission for you each time. Check in weekly for your next activated mission".

The player is given "Deep Black" security level, as absolute security is necessary. However, the message says that more agents may be recruited at the player's discretion.

The first seven missions' times reflect the initially listed time ranges, not the current ones.

Mission 1: 8:00-12:00


Released: January 12, 2009.

Pieces of a jigsaw are put together to create the following image of the Sangalan Embassy in Washington, DC.

Once the image has been decrypted, the following message comes through the player's phone:

Jack is on our side. Plan is to kidnap Matobos at Residence. 167 Foxhall Road, Sangalan Embassy. Will advise next step as soon as Matobos are in custody and party is en route. Will call you if back-up is needed. Am worried about a set up. Please see enclosed surveillance shot of Embassy.

Mission 2: 12:00-1:00


Released: January 19, 2009.

Another jigsaw that is put together reveals a photo of a mobile phone with coordinates on it.

A message appears on the player's phone:

FBI Agent Walker is buried at construction site on Morrison Ave. She needs to be secured. You'll find her by the back hoe. Get there ASAP. Follow the coordinates on the GPS map. We're on the move.

Mission 3: 1:00-2:00
Released January 26, 2009.

This jigsaw forms an image composed of a file with info about Brian Gedge and a voiceprint analysis.

An incomplete sound clip is sent to the player's phone upon completion of the puzzle:

Just got word from my men at the White House. Secret Service Agent Gedge and the First Gentleman left, but have not returned. Secret Service Agent Vossler is also unreachable. Think this might be something to monitor. The White House is in chaos after the plane crash. Either Matobo's with you now...

Mission 4: 2:00-3:00
Released February 2, 2009.

The jigsaw forms an image composed of: the scene after the bomb explosion that killed Latham, the CIP device, and a board from the device under a piece of glass.

After completing the jigsaw puzzle, this message is sent to the player's phone:

CIP Device destroyed. Latham dead. Matobos alive. Have no choice but to bring Taylor in. There is still hope. Secret Service Agents compromised and killed. May need you here soon.

Mission 5: 3:00-4:00
Released February 9, 2009.

The jigsaw forms an image of a voiceprint analysis.

A noticably descrambled audio clip is sent to the player's phone.

Mission 6: 4:00-5:00
Released February 16, 2009.

The jigsaw forms an image of a car dashboard and the mobile phone with a message on it.

An audio clip is sent to the player's phone.

Mission 7: 5:00-6:00
Released February 23, 2009.

The jigsaw puzzle forms an image of a computer screen with a list of names and a dialog box.

A message is sent to the player's phone:

Mayer is en route to the White House now with his aide. Have you heard from A? When you have a secure and encrypted server send me the list of vetted Secret Service Agents so I have access before FBI does. We need to be one step ahead. Are you safe where you are?

Mission 8: 6:00-7:00/7:00-8:00
Released March 2, 2009, the same day as the two back-to-back episodes are aired.

The puzzle forms an image of the phone with the following message, which is then sent to the player:

I am pursuing another informant. I haven't received any communication from C in an hour. Have you? There is something I haven't told you. Call me when you can. Am trying to gain access to FBI server and bandwidth chatter.

Mission 9: 8:00-9:00


Released March 9, 2009.

The jigsaw forms another image of the phone with the following message on, which in turn is sent to the player's phone:

All communications into the White House are jammed. By the time you get this message, I may be dead. If I don't make it though this, there's someone else I've been working with. You can trust this person. You'll find a name and number in my secure files. You've been a good friend. Good luck. It's up to you now.

Mission 10: 9:00-10:00
Released March 16, 2009.

The jigsaw forms a Google map with a path marked with a yellow line.

A descrambled audio clip from Chloe O'Brian is sent to the player's phone.

Mission 11: 10:00-11:00
Released March 23, 2009.

The jigsaw forms a image from earlier on in the day. There is a building in the distance, and a message from Chloe O'Brian is on the player's phone:

{{cquote|''You know me better than to ask questions I can't answer. I'm sorry.''}

The following message from Kim Bauer is sent to the player's phone upon completion of the puzzle:

Have you been in contact with my father? I can't find him. I've called everywhere. I have a feeling he's involved with today's attacks. Are you in DC? Please let me know.

Mission 12: 11:00-12:00
Released March 30, 2009.

Mission 13: 12:00-1:00
Released April 6, 2009.

Mission 14: 1:00-2:00
Released April 13, 2009.

Mission 15: 2:00-3:00
Released April 20, 2009.

Mission 16: 3:00-4:00
Released April 27, 2009.

Mission 17: 4:00-5:00
Released May 4, 2009.

Mission 18: 5:00-6:00
Released May 11, 2009.

Mission 19: 6:00-7:00
Released May 18, 2009.

Background information and notes

 * Instinct takes place at the same rate as Day 7 episodes are aired. Operation Instinct was written by Geoff Aull & Shauna McGarry, who are the Script Coordinators on 24.