On the Subject of the Blind Alley

What? Where?

See Appendix BLANK for blank modules identification.

The module appears blank, but has eight touch-sensitive regions laid out as in the following diagram. Touch the regions that have the most conditions met in any order.

  • There is an unlit BOB indicator.
  • There is a lit CAR indicator.
  • There is a lit IND indicator.
  • There is an even number of battery holders.
  • There is an unlit CAR indicator.
  • There is an unlit NSA indicator.
  • There is a lit FRK indicator.
  • There is an RJ-45 port.
  • There is an unlit FRQ indicator.
  • There is an unlit IND indicator.
  • There is an unlit TRN indicator.
  • There is a DVI-D port.
  • There is an unlit SIG indicator.
  • There is an unlit SND indicator.
  • There is a lit NSA indicator.
  • There is an even number of batteries.
  • There is a lit BOB indicator.
  • There is a lit CLR indicator.
  • There is a PS/2 port.
  • There is a serial port.
  • There is a lit FRQ indicator.
  • There is a lit SIG indicator.
  • There is a lit TRN indicator.
  • There is an even digit in the serial number.
  • There is an unlit FRK indicator.
  • There is a lit MSA indicator.
  • There is a parallel port.
  • There is a vowel in the serial number.
  • There is an unlit CLR indicator.
  • There is an unlit MSA indicator.
  • There is a lit SND indicator.
  • There is a stereo RCA port.

Appendix BLANK: Identifying Blank Modules

Somebody at Bomb Corp. got a bit lazy on the graphics.

You may have noticed that there are some modules which (at least initially) appear blank. At first glance, all modules of this variety are indistinguishable*. Follow the instructions below in order to determine what module you are looking at.

* Note: The module Hinges has one or more hinges missing from the module casing, but is otherwise blank.

  1. Select the module (but do not tap on it).
  2. Move the cursor back and forth over the module.
    • If the module has patterns of dots on it, you are looking at Braille.
    • If the module has shapes on it, you are looking at Polygons.
    • If the module has numbers and a shape on it, you are looking at Hidden In Plain Sight.
    • If you hear a tone, you are looking at Deaf Alley.
    • If you hear whirring sounds or a printer-like sound, you are looking at Eavesdropping.
    • If you repeatedly hear “cow”, you are looking at Find The Invisible Cow.
    • If you hear the clicking sound that is played when hovering over a button but do not have any visual feedback, you may be looking at Blind Alley. Follow the instructions on the first page of this manual and press any valid region, then check the next condition.
    • (Skip if the previous condition was false) If the module made any noise or if, upon feeling all of the regions again, anything changes you are looking at Blank Slate. Otherwise, press the rest of the valid regions to solve Blind Alley.
  3. Continued on the next page...

Appendix BLANK: Identifying Blank Modules (cont.)

  1. Press and hold the module.
    • If the module shattered like glass, you are looking at A Mistake. It is safe to release at any time.
    • If the module begins making ticking noises, you are looking at Tap Code. It is safe to release at any time.
    • If the module emits an unusual sound, you are looking at ...?. It is safe to release at any time.
    • If the module makes a button click sound but does not have any visual feedback, you are looking at Module Name. It is safe to release at any time, but the click should be noted down as one press.
    • If two zeroes begin flashing on the module, you are looking at 42. DO NOT RELEASE until that module’s manual instructs you to do so.
    • If three zeroes begin flashing on the module, you are looking at 501. DO NOT RELEASE until that module’s manual instructs you to do so.