Zooming in on the image, we can see some dots on the right edge of the AXA Shield.

C will denote Common Shields, R for Rare Shields, V for Very Rare Shields, and A for AXA Shields; followed by the sum of their mitigation values:

eg:  RVVA = Rare (40) + Very Rare (60) + Very Rare (60) + AXA (70) = 230

CRRR = 150	CRRR = 150
RVVV = 220	RVVA = 230
RVVV = 220	RVVV = 220
C = 30	C = 30
CR = 70	CR = 70
RRVV = 200	RRVV = 200
CRVV = 190	CRVV = 190
VVVV = 240	VVVA = 250
CR = 70	CR = 70
CRR = 110	CRR = 110
CCRR = 140	CCRR = 140
RRRV = 180	RRRV = 180
RRRV = 180	RRRV = 180
RR = 80	RR = 80

On closer inspection, values are very similar between the left and right columns, we’ll focus on the right column.

150 230 220 30 70 200 190 250 70 110 140 180 180 80

Dividing the totals by 10:

15 23 22 3 7 20 19 25 7 11 14 18 18 8

Treating each number as a letter of the alphabet, with a = 0 and remembering the format:

pxwdhutz7loss8

The image has some numbers in the bottom-left corner, adjusting the brightness gives us:

70.3.10.117.83.668.166.35.83.668.83.668.70.49.10.946.59.795.41.13e2.49.3.20.333.70.99.23e2

After a search for gauge and wires we find a Table of AWG wire sizes on Wikipedia.

The Preece Fusing current column has the numbers in our series, so map them to the AWG number.

*note the ‘e’ numbers are a version of Scientific Notation:  13e2 = 1.3E3 = 1300, 23e2 = 2.3E3 = 2300

Preece	AWG
70	19
3	37
10	30
117	16
83	18
668	6
166	14
35	23
83	18
668	6
83	18
668	6
70	19
49	21
10	30
946	4
59	20
795	5
41	22
1.30E+03	2
49	21
3	38
20	26
333	10
70	19
99	17
2.30E+03	00 (2/0)

We now have numbers ranging from 2 to 40 (ignoring the last out of range value).  Using a base64 index we get this:

TleQSGOXSGSGTVeEUFWCVmaKTR-

Unfortunately, it doesn’t produce usable results.  Trying a ROT-1 on our string (or decrementing the b64 index using A=1) we get

SkdPRFNWRFRFSUdDTEVBUlZJSQ=

Now base64 looks good.

JGODSVDTEIGCLEARVII

convert numbers for a net win:

JGODSVDT8CLEAR7

Looking very carefully at the image, we see two things hidden in the sign after adjusting the image:

It leads to this pastebin link with the following data:

35.432122, -95.971458
39.445370, -83.828580
37.921588, -95.170020
35.251907, -91.029306
29.832416, -95.175749
34.081858, -118.223934
38.677246, -121.751018
42.297390, -73.294085
21.393674, -158.012483
34.173715, -98.502108
39.817988, -104.982831
30.190756, -90.854375
43.134215, -75.500518
44.436569, -95.773936
39.749349, -94.789513
44.239701, -95.754972
33.412178, -80.499168
43.134217, -75.500477
21.462720, -157.998946

Viewing each set of coordinatates we see they map to interestions

eg:  35.432122,-95.971458 –> Intersection 40 & 62

After recording each road number we see their sum is in ascii range

Coordinates	Road1	Road2	Sum	ascii
35.432122,-95.971458	40	62	102	f
39.445370,-83.828580	22	68	90	Z
37.921588,-95.170020	59	54	113	q
35.251907,-91.029306	64	49	113	q
29.832416,-95.175749	90	8	98	b
34.081858,-118.223934	110	5	115	s
38.677246,-121.751018	113	5	118	v
42.297390,-73.294085	90	7	97	a
21.393674,-158.012483	7			7
34.173715,-98.502108	44	70	114	r
39.817988,-104.982831	76	25	101	e
30.190756,-90.854375	22	61	83	S
43.134215,-75.500518	26	90	116	t
44.436569,-95.773936	23	59	82	R
39.749349,-94.789513	36	29	65	A
44.239701,-95.754972	14	59	73	I
33.412178,-80.499168	95	15	110	n
43.134217,-75.500477	90	26	116	t
21.462720,-157.998946	5			5

For the number positions we just take the road number

Our little road trip ends here:

FZQQBSVA7RESTRAINT5

We see an image of a grey card with several holes cut in it.  A search for shield on Investigate Ingress will find the redacted portions of The First Shield post matches that of the card.  Using an image editing tools we can cut holes in the card and overlay it as shown:

From what remains, we see letters, a keyword and two numbers spelled out.

rxwbgskz Calvin nin two

Reading across and down we get a peek at our passcode:

rxwbgskz9Calvin2

Looking closely at the image we see some text in the bands of the crest.  Adjusting the image contrast we can better see the text:

We see what appears to be dates.  A Wikipedia search reveals these are the birth dates of people with the last name of Shield(s).

19710915	Will Shields	W
19350602	Carol Shields	C
19330801	Teri Shields	T
19190907	Neil Shields	N
19581130	Steve Shields	S
19560722	David Shields	D
19710915	Will Shields	W
18990630	Harry Shields	H
19410516	Francis Alexander Shields	F
19141224	Ian Shield	I
19650531	Brooke Shields	B
19850710	Arman Shields	A
18930913	Larry Shields	L
19850710	Arman Shields	A
19190907	Neil Shields	N
19570708	Carol Shields (ophthalmologist)	C
18790927	Ella Shields	E
19190907	Neil Shields	N
19141224	Ian Shield	I

In order, take the first initial and combine to get:

WCTNSDWHFIBALANCENI

replace the numbers to find our missing cousin:

WCTNSDWH5BALANCE9

The image shows Apollo 8’s re-entering Earth’s atmosphere. In the Greek and Roman mythology, Apollo is also known as Phoebus, so the hint sentence also suggests the Apollo program, from 7 to 16.

In the Apollo program 7 to 16, 15 landing were performed on both the Earth and the Moon. Let’s list the coordinates of landing position in order:

Index	Mission #	Coodinates (Moon)	Coordinates (Earth)
0	7		27.533333, -64.066667
1	8		8.133333, -165.016667
2	9		23.25, -67.933333
3	10		-15.033333, -164.65
4	11	0.67408, 23.47297	13.316667, -169.15
5	12	-3.01239, -23.42157	-15.783333, -165.15
6	13		-21.64, -165.361667
7	14	-3.6453, -17.47136	-27.016667, -172.65
8	15	26.13222, 3.63386	26.116667, -158.133333
9	16	-8.97301, 15.50019	-0.716667, -156.216667

Convert the code in the image with the index

-0.72, -156.22	9
27.53, -64.07	0
-27.02, -172.65	7
-0.72, -156.22	9
26.12, -158.13	8
26.13, 3.63	8
26.12, -158.13	8
-3.65, -17.47	7
26.13, 3.63	8
-27.02, -172.65	7
-3.65, -17.47	7
0.67, 23.47	4
26.12, -158.13	8
-3.01, -23.42	5
-21.64, -165.36	6
-21.64, -165.36	6
-3.01, -23.42	5
23.25, -67.93	2
-27.02, -172.65	7
-3.01, -23.42	5
-21.64, -165.36	6
-0.72, -156.22	9
-3.65, -17.47	7
26.12, -158.13	8
-3.01, -23.42	5
8.13, -165.02	1

gives following code: 90 79 88 87 87 74 85 66 52 75 69 78 51

Convert the number into Ascii

ZOXWWJUB4KEN3

We see two images with dice.  The first which has eight sets could be our prefix.  The second likely our numbers and keyword.  A calculator in the corner suggestions a sum of dice.  A quick sum and number to letter conversion gets part of a keyword MNJPFPCHVVOYLHBEQ but something doesn’t quite add up.

*The three sided die (next to the coin) has RPS markings – “Rock, Paper, Scissors”.  We can interpret the “R” as the first so 1.
**The coin has two sides – “Heads or Tails”.  Heads is first so another 1.

4	4	3	2
4	4	4	2
4	4	2
4	4	4	4
4	2
4	4	4	3	1
3
3	3	2
17	5
17	5
12	3
20	5
11	R	(1)*
7	Heads	(1)**
2
4	1
17

As any experienced geek knows (or researching the hint) a Magic Missile does 1d4+1 damage.  Adding +1 to each die gives better results:  17, 18, 13, 20, 8, 21, 4, 11, 24, 24, 17, 27, 14, 9, 3, 7, 18 or QRMTHUDKXXQ[NICGR

Combining the two and little trial by fire.

17	Q
18	R
13	M
20	T
8	H
21	U
4	D
11	K
22	V	leave
22	V	leave
15	O	leave
25	Y	leave
14	N
9	I	not coin
3	C
7	G	?oops (H)
18	R	7’s +1

Beholder our answer:

QRMTHUDK5VOYNICH8

The image shown is that of a young William Shatner as Captian James T. Kirk indicating that this solve will be somehow related to Star Trek:

There are also numbers in the lower portion of the image:

82617.11550.70915.82602 
79914.31600.57400.65491.640.80108.14232.1941 
77024.54927.59318.68700 
42043.80112.57500.11638.2010 
40512.57566.1601

“…of your ship.”  The end of the hint suggests that the numbers are related to some of the ships in the show.  After some searching it was discovered that each number group refers to a specific Star Trek star ship’s registry number:

82617	USS Capitoline
11550	USS Apollo
70915	USS Bonchune
82602	USS Aventine
79914	USS Demeter
31600	USS Bonestell
57400	USS Chimera
65491	USS Kyushu
640	USS Copernicus
80108	USS Amalthea
14232	USS Berlin
1941	USS Bozeman
77024	USS Achilles
54927	USS Denver
59318	USS Cochrane
68700	USS Freedom
42043	USS Centaur
80112	USS Galatea
57500	USS Challenger
11638	USS Agamemnon
2010	USS Jenolan
40512	USS Gorkon
57566	USS Kearsarge
1601	USS Agincourt

“…the forward and aft parts…” This part of the hint suggests that the important parts of the name of each ship are the first and last letters:

First letters: CABADBCKCABBADCFCGCAJGKA

Last letters: eoeerlausannsremrarnnnet

“Pad both…”  Finally, the very beginning of the hint references a known cipher called One Time Pad.  Using this cipher, decrypt using the last letters as your message and the first letters as the pad:

codeokykqammsochpupnehut

Although most of the result looks like gibberish, there is one section that stands out in the beginning: “code.”  This is an indicator that this is the correct path to follow for the solve.  Separate the “code” out and divide the 8 letter prefix from the numbers/keyword section:

code  okykqamm  sochpupnehut

The final step is also Star Trek related.  Separate the numbers/keyword section:

soch pupne hut

Translate using Klingon and reattach prefix:

OKYKQAMM7IMPERFECT9

Qapla’

Some basic image enhancement finds hidden codes

Patterns repeat in group of 4.  We also see only characters 5b9a used.

Translating into base4 ( 0123 -> 5b9a ) and converting to dec (eg: 3+0*4^1+2*4^2+1*4^3 = 99) and then ascii we get

b95a	1	2	0	3	99	c
b9aa	1	2	3	3	111	o
b9b5	1	2	1	0	100	d
b9bb	1	2	1	1	101	e
ba9a	1	3	2	3	123	{
ba99	1	3	2	2	122	z
bab9	1	3	1	2	118	v
babb	1	3	1	1	117	u
babb	1	3	1	1	117	u
ba99	1	3	2	2	122	z
b99a	1	2	2	3	107	k
bab9	1	3	1	2	118	v
b995	1	2	2	0	104	h
5aba	0	3	1	3	55	7
ba55	1	3	0	0	112	p
babb	1	3	1	1	117	u
ba99	1	3	2	2	122	z
ba99	1	3	2	2	122	z
b9a5	1	2	3	0	108	l
b9bb	1	2	1	1	101	e
5a9b	0	3	2	1	57	9
baab	1	3	3	1	125	}

dropping this packet:

zvuuzkvh7puzzle9

In the image we see a number of coat of arms, or  heraldic shields.  A search leads to a collection of Country coats of arms.

Matching the shields to countries we get:

Russia	Moldova	Russia	San Marino
Russia	Yemen	Russia	Hungary
Samoa	Korea	China	Russia
Iran	Venezuela	Russia	Tuvalu
Sri Lanka	Vietnam	Vietnam	Iran
Russia	Singapore

Now what?  At the bottom of the picture there is a hint.

CALL US IMMEDIATELY.

To call other countries you may need a country calling code.

Replacing the Countries with their respective Calling codes gives:

7	373	7	378
7	967	7	36
685	82	86	7
98	58	7	688
94	84	84	98
7	65

Concatenating the numbers and grouping into twos gives

73 73 73 78 79 67 73 66 85 82 86 79 85 87 68 89 48 48 49 87 65

Convert to ascii

IIINOCIBURVOUWDY001WA

Reversing we see a known keyword

AW100YDWUOVRUBICONIII

Replace the numbers (and 100 with Roman C) finally gets us dialed in

AWCYDWUO5RUBICON3

In the image we see numbers and a bear in a shield.

Analyzing the first number in each set we find they have a greatest common divisor of 426.  Dividing each by that gives:

3408	8
3408	8
2982	7
2982	7
3408	8
2982	7
3408	8
3408	8
2130	5
3408	8
2982	7
2556	6
3408	8
2982	7
2556	6
2130	5

We need to find an index for the second numbers.  Searching for Bear and Shield we find this album listing.  Sounds consistent with the clue but how can we be sure it’s the one we need.  Converting 426 to minutes and seconds we get 7:06.  A match with the length of the last song!  Converting the rest of the numbers and matching with song number gives our next piece:

275	4:35	1
344	5:44	7
264	4:24	2
270	4:30	8
318	5:18	4
318	5:18	4
318	5:18	4
224	3:44	5
62	1:02	3
	0:00	0
360	6:00	6
224	3:44	5
62	1:02	3
344	5:44	7
224	3:44	5
360	6:00	6

Combine our two pieces,

81 87 72 78 84 74 84 85 53 80 76 65 83 77 65 56 

and bear with me while we convert from dec to ascii

QWHNTJTU5PLASMA8

We see a badge with three character words.  An image search can determine the badge in the background is from the Los Angeles Police Department.  A search for LAPD finds each Bureau is divided into areas – each with a unique number

We can match our short names to an area and number.  eg:

RMP	Rampart Area	(2)
SOW	Southwest Area	(3)
HRB	Harbor Area	(5)
…	…	…

Our numbers range from 2 – 21, well within alphabet range.  Converting number to alpha (A=1) we get:

DEV	17	Q
NHD	15	O
SOW	3	C
SOW	3	C
SOE	18	R
OLY	20	T
RMP	2	B
SOE	18	R
OLY	20	T
WLA	8	H
SOE	18	R
HRB	5	E
HRB	5	E
PAC	14	N
NHD	15	O
TOP	21	U
SOE	18	R
VNY	9	I
MSN	19	S
WLA	8	H
PAC	14	N
VNY	9	I
PAC	14	N
HRB	5	E

To decrypt and serve:

QOCCRTBR3NOURISH9

Take each pile on money and sum the amount

6006	66	B
7005	75	K
8001	81	Q
6007	67	C
8009	89	Y
9000	90	Z
8006	86	V
8001	81	Q
5002	52	4
7005	75	K
7006	76	L
8005	85	U
6009	69	E
5005	55	7

Combine the thousands and the dollars to make a decimal number then convert to ascii.

Simple and centsible.

BKQCYZVQ4KLUE7

In the image, the code is written in unusual symbols that resembles Greek alphabet. Indeed it’s ancient Greek alphabet so write it down;

gamma	epsilon	pi	lambda	digamma
sigma	digamma	nu	digamma	sigma
nu	beta	alpha	iota	pi
lambda	digamma	sigma	digamma	nu
digamma	sigma	mu	nu	omicron
gamma	tau	omicron	epsilon	xi
pi	lambda	omicron	rho	alpha
tau	omicron	rho	koppa	digamma
iota	nu	koppa	digamma	epsilon

Then convert it to correspond modern Roman alphabet and make it in line.

GEPLWSWNWSNBAIPLWSWNWSMNOGTOEXPLORATORKWINKWE

You can find meaningful word “EXPLORATOR” at the latter of the code. It must lead a keyword.

GEPLWSWNWSNBAIPLWSWNWSMNOGTO EXPLORATOR KWINKWE

After “EXPLORATOR”, KWINKWE is also meaningful. This must turn into number and sounds “quinque”, 5 in latin.

GEPLWSWNWSNBAIPLWSWNWSMNOGTO EXPLORATOR5

Before “EXPLORATOR” will also be a number. It’s notable that “OGTO” followed by “EXPLORATOR”. In ancient Greek there’s no letter correspond directly to ‘C’. Assume “OGTO” as “OCTO” then this can be 8 in latin. Note that the code starts with ‘G’ so make sure to substitute it with ‘C’.

CEPLWSWNWSNBAIPLWSWNWSMN 8EXPLORATOR5

Did you notice that the string “PLWSWNWS” appeared twice in the code? Substitute ‘W’ with ‘U’, this string turns out to be “PLUS UNUS”, “+1” in latin. But what to +1? Let’s see the code carefully.

CE +1 SNBAI +1 MN 8EXPLORATOR5

There are some Roman letters other than ‘C’ that cannot be expressed directly by ancient Greek alphabet. ROT+1 the letters followed by “+1” gives ‘F’ or ‘J’, that don’t correspond to ancient Greek alphabet.

CFSNBAJMN8EXPLORATOR5

Now the time to substitute keywords.  In Latin, “explorator” means “spy”. So the answer is

CFSNBAJMN8SPY5

More Coat of Arms.  Using the same page, we can lookup the country names.  No apparent hint this time just an EOF (end of file) message.  All countries have a two character UPPERCASE country code.  Mapping those we seem some interesting results.

Niger	NE
Montenegro	ME
Slovenia	SI
Saint Helena	SH
Myanmar	MM
Estonia	EE
Saint Vincent and Grenadines	VC
Finland	FI
Venezuela	VE
Taylor Garnett Evans & Co Ltd	??

NEMESISHMMEEVCFIVE

Combining into another format ( keyword#AA##AA#) our search comes to an end

NEMESIS8MM55VC5