This was fantastically fun very personalized - an absolute blast! Kevin worked out this entire story and mission for me to complete. He sent over a certificate of promotion for Planetisde, one of my favorite games, along with a Planetside themed puzzle. A map, a riddle, and rules of the mission.

I solved the first riddle by naming suspected locations for strongholds on the map. For the second and third phases of the puzzle, I was sent questions and problems to solve based on Planetside lore and game assets. The answered revealed themselves to be GPS coordinates.

Kevin and I agreed on a time for the hunt itself. This morning, I took the Metro to downtown DC and headed for the GPS coordinates. With my secret passphrase in hand, I went into two businesses to find the gift.

This was my last message to Kevin confirming my completion of the mission:

Commander, mission completed. My partner is on mission in the mid-west region, so additional reconnaissance was unavailable. I infiltrated the target area and scouted out the suspected strongholds. The first location, a J+R repository, did not yield a result. The consultant was unaware of TR/NC movements and did not recently see the artifact. However, the consultant did offer some advice for a pipe and smoking tobacco.

http://imgur.com/S3Ij19A

The second target was undoubtedly more suspicious. A grooming salon.

http://imgur.com/a/CdAeX

I cloaked my way in and interrogated the first attendant. Unfortunately, a video of the encounter was not available (insert socially awkward penguin here), but the conversation was as follows:

"Hello, this may sound strange. I'm from the internet and on a mission. "

She perked up and some excitement in her eyes, "Yes, and...?"

"I'm from the VS and here to retrieve the Auraxian artifact"

"Oh, yes -- Kevin said to make this as awkward as possible for you. Was that the complete phrase?"

I repeated myself, adding the rest of the details, "I'm from the Vanu Sovereignty and from the Auraxian planet, looking for an artifact"

She smiled and handed me the package. We chatted about the mission and her compliments of Kevin's plan and efforts. I secured the artifact and proceeded to my rendezvous point. Upon inspection of the contents in a secure office, it turned out to be a gift card for the Salon! Score!! And samples to boot.

http://imgur.com/L1GmVRN

This was a very memorable Secret Santa. Tons of fun, very personal, and a great gift. I can't wait to use it! Thanks, Kevin!!!

Edit: The gift card was for $150!! Holy crap. This will be a really really nice treat!