Covert Quest - Spy Games in Manchester

UPDATE STRICTLY PRIVATE AND CONFIDENTIAL

We have received intelligence reports that students at the University of Manchester have created a weapons grade, fully autonomous AI (Artificial Intelligence). Although not yet confirmed, we believe the students were working in collaboration with the British SIS and the AI is due to go online in a matter of days.

Presently, the mainframe is still housed in a secret location in Manchester but is due to be moved to a top secret military base at 18.00 hours, Saturday 17th March. Once the mainframe has been relocated, we believe attempts to infiltrate the AI will be near impossible. Therefore, it is of vital importance we gain access to the secret location site in the next few hours.

As we have secured this information, please assume it has also been infiltrated by other countries so please bear this in mind and work as fast and secretly as you can.

As the eyes on the ground, I am giving you full authority to act which way you believe to be appropriate. Time is of the essence and therefore, I am cutting the bureaucratic tape and allowing you to make the correct decision. It must be the right choice, or you run the risk of either a nuclear, economic or diplomatic disaster.

The situation is extremely volatile and the increased chatter being produced by the AI is making it harder to decipher factual evidence. We shall send through new pieces of information as these become clear.

• What we'll do

The Five Eyes (FVEY), an intelligence alliance between Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States, are hosting their annual conference in Manchester. For the public profile, it is a great opportunity for the five countries to discuss tactics and to share intelligence openly and freely.
Privately, each country has its own agenda and has secretly dropped their best and brightest agents into the UK under cover.
Your country is relying on you to discover secrets, plant decoys and disrupt your ‘allies’ missions, have you got what it takes?
This quest requires intelligence, cunning and a reasonable level of fitness and there is a lot of walking required. You shall be randomly allocated to a country and ‘transform’ into a Spy. Working as part of a small team, you will each have an important part to play to advance your country to the top of the intelligence ladder. Maybe you are good at solving clues, or you are good with technology? You may be a great motivator and team leader or know Manchester like the back of your hand? Any skill you have will be utilised in this unique quest. This event will be based outside and involve solving clues and finding locations throughout Manchester. Following the quest, there is time for a social drink and to 'debrief' on your mission.

• What to bring
Please wear suitable footwear and clothing for an outdoor event in Manchester. There can be quite a lot of walking involved.
If you have a smart phone, please bring this with a QR Reader installed. At least 1 phone per team is needed for photo's, QR Code Reading and maps (if needed).
Bring any snacks/drinks you may need. Everything else required for the Quest will be provided.

• Important to know
Although this event is free, a lot of time and effort has been put in to make it as fun and well organised as possible. Therefore, I ask you please respect this and update your RSVP if you are unable to make it. I am also asking for some constructive feedback on this event, if you can please make sure to fill a sheet in before leaving.

As this event is outdoors, please adhere to the rules of the roads and be SAFE! By RSVP'ing, you acknowledge your health and safety is your responbility.