Code C

SSTV decoded image

"Victor would like this extension

Code C - 3914"

 

Discovery/Decryption

• This code was hidden in a sound file that can be decrypted via SSTV.
• The sound can be heard in game by accessing a secret area under a staircase in the Questionable Ethics chapter
• It is found in the game files as C:\Program Files\Steam\steamapps\sourcemods\BMS\sound\BMS_scripted\qe\qecode.mp3 (in the 2012 mod release).
• The metadata for the mp3 lists Dr Horn as a contributing artist.
• In the Steam release of Black Mesa, which was released on May 5, 2015, it is found in sound\BMS_scripted\qe\qecode.ogg within the ...\steamapps\common\Black Mesa\bms\bms_sounds_misc_###.vpk files.
• Additional metadata was discovered in the Steam release version of the audio file. In the "Comments" field, the following text was found:

  Oh looky, Dr Horn has gone all open source. HALOS musn't see this, but the password to its area, is those two cryptographer peoples. I think you should get that ok. I'll be in Xen if you need me.

Uses from the clue + potential leads

• It was determined that the name "Victor" plus the coin shown are a reference to the VIC Cipher and could be a clue as to the cipher used in the Code D message. A VIC variant called SECOM was also suggested.
• Eventually, it became clear that the word "extension" was indeed a reference to SECOM—the cipher used in the Code D message—as in "Extension of a VIC Cipher".
• http://www.thestormseeker.com/thepizzaisalie
  • username : drhorn
  • password: 1001085139140914 (combination of Codes A-D)
• The comment found in the metadata of the Steam release version appears to be related to a clue found in the the IRC clue 5 solution.

Notes

SSTV Transmission in Black Mesa Source Files