Challenge #11: This is Checkmate Zalika
The chamber buzzed with a mix of nervous chatter and quiet anticipation as students from different schools filed into their assigned seats. The room itself was grand, with high ceilings adorned with intricate carvings of leadership symbols, and a giant screen behind the podium displaying the game's rules.
"Before we start this game, I would like everyone to sit in their groups." Said jayda
The room shifted as students moved around, some confidently, others hesitantly, until all were seated in their respective groups of six.
Brittany, the Deputy Sovereign Leader, stood beside Jayda. Her expression was calm but firm, her eyes scanning the room. "The Sovereign Leader couldn't be here to watch your performance," she announced, her tone leaving no room for complaints. "But she left you a message: *Think like leaders. Act like leaders. Because you are leaders.*"
A ripple of whispers ran through the room, but Brittany continued without pause.
"Should we go over the rules again, or do you all remember them?" asked Jayda, turning to Brittany.
"I think we should," Brittany replied, stepping forward.
Jayda nodded and addressed the room. "The game is called *Leadership Rock, Paper, Scissors.* It's not just a simple game of chance—it's a test of your strategic thinking, alliance-building, and, most importantly, your leadership qualities. You'll be working in groups, and by the end of this game, *two people from each group will be eliminated.*"
Jayda raised her hand to quiet the students. "Here's how it works: Each group will play a series of rounds. You will *vote* on the move each member will make—rock, paper, or scissors. Once it's your turn, you cannot change your vote. This ensures accountability. However, there's a twist: betrayal is an option."
Brittany stepped in, her voice cold and calculated. "A single person can betray their group to secure their own win, or the group can betray one or two members. But understand this: betrayal comes with a cost. Lose trust, and you could end up being the next target."
"Persons who plan to betray will have the ability to tell use who they are out right targeting in the group they a betray that's if they have someone targeting." Said Brittany.
The tension in the room thickened.
Jayda gestured to the screen behind her, which now displayed 16 groups. "Your votes will be submitted electronically via email. After each round, results will be displayed. We'll inform you if your group won, lost, drew, or if a traitor was detected. At the end of the game we will tell you who are the traitors and who lost in the group."
The room was silent as the enormity of the game sank in.
A hand raise
"Yes" did Jayda
"How will you know the losers of a group from there winners" said Kayla.
Finally someone asked the question you all will get points which will be transferred to a leadership point winners get 9pts each game loser get none if you are a betrayer and you won then you get 12pts if the betrayer losses they get points taken off so a -1 is possible.
"You were all asked to form your groups and choose a group number. Those numbers are now locked in. Let the game begin," Jayda declared.
The students remained seated as screens in front of each group lit up, signaling the start of the voting process.
---
### [Somewhere Else: The Camera Room]
Irina leaned back in her chair, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest as she watched the screens displaying the groups. "This game is new. It's... unorthodox," she said, her sharp green eyes flicking to Calder.
Calder, an older man with a stern face and an air of authority, smirked. "It's not about winning or losing, not in the traditional sense. There's no true group in this game. It's designed to teach them that betrayal is inevitable, and they must always have a Plan B."
Irina nodded, intrigued. "Agreed. Leadership isn't just about loyalty—it's about adaptability and foresight."
Calder turned to her. "Shouldn't you be heading to that concert?"
Irina shrugged, her eyes never leaving the screens. "I want to see the students in action first. Who knows? We might find our Sovereign Leader sooner than expected."
Calder chuckled. "You're always one step ahead, Irina. Let's see if any of these kids can catch up."
[Back in the Chamber]
The first round began, and tension hung in the air as groups whispered among themselves, trying to strategize without giving too much away.
"Rock," whispered Rebecca to her group.
"I think scissors would be better," Mark countered, his brow furrowed.
Taylah, the self-proclaimed leader of Group 5, rolled her eyes. "Just listen to me. Paper will win this round. Trust me."
Rurki watched the discussion unfold, his mind racing. *None of them are thinking ahead. They're too focused on the immediate round. This isn't just a game; it's a test of who can lead and who can survive betrayal.*
Zalika caught Rurki's eye, her expression unreadable. She leaned in closer and whispered, "What's your plan, Rurki?"
He smirked. "To not get eliminated. That's all you need to know."
Her lips curved into a sly smile. "We'll see if you can back that up."
"We all will choose rock." Said Taylah.
"Ohk." They all said.
As the results of the first round appeared on the screen, gasps echoed through the room.
**Group 3: Win**
**Group 7: 2 Betrayal Detected**
**Group 5: Loss**
**Group 10: Win**
**Group 6: 2Betrayal Detected**
Group 1: Loss**
Group 15: Loss**
Group 4: Loss**
Group 13: Win**
**Group 16: 2 Betrayal Detected**
Group 2: Win**
**Group 12: 2 Betrayal Detected**
Group 9: Win**
**Group 8: 2 Betrayal Detected**
Group 14: Loss**
Group 11: 1 Betrayal Detected*
"Wait what we Lost" said Rebecca
"At less we don't have a traitor" said mark.
Rurki glanced at Zalika. Her calm demeanor was unsettling. *Why is she so calm does She knows something. But what?*
The screen updated after each round, the atmosphere in the chamber growing increasingly tense with every result. Groups whispered furiously, accusations flying as the betrayals mounted.
**Round 2 Results**
- **Group 3: Win**
- **Group 7: 2 Betrayals Detected**
- **Group 5: Loss**
- **Group 10: Win**
- **Group 6: 2 Betrayals Detected**
- **Group 1: Loss**
- **Group 15: Loss**
- **Group 4: Loss**
- **Group 13: Win**
- **Group 16: 2 Betrayals Detected**
- **Group 2: Win**
- **Group 12: 2 Betrayals Detected**
- **Group 9: Win**
- **Group 8: 2 Betrayals Detected**
- **Group 14: Loss**
- **Group 11: 1 Betrayal Detected**
Jayda's voice echoed over the murmurs. "Round 2 results are in. Let's move quickly into the next round. Remember, leadership isn't just about strategy—it's about trust."
### Group 5: Fractured Trust
Taylah slammed her hand on the table. "Alright, which one of you betrayed the group? We lost *again*!"
Mark rolled his eyes. "Maybe if you actually listened to us instead of bulldozing your decisions, we'd win."
"Don't turn this on me!" Taylah shot back, her voice sharp.
Rebecca, the quietest of the group, finally spoke up. "Arguing isn't going to help us. We need to focus on the next round."
Rurki leaned back in his chair, watching the chaos with a smirk. He didn't trust any of them. "Maybe it's time we consider the possibility that someone here is sabotaging us intentionally," he said casually, his words cutting through the noise.
The group fell silent, the implication sinking in.
"Who would do that?" Taylah asked, her voice quieter now, but her eyes darted suspiciously toward Mark.
Rurki shrugged. "Someone who values their survival over the group's success. Just a thought."
---
### Group 7: Double Betrayal
"Two betrayals in one round!" Maya exclaimed, throwing her hands in the air. "What's wrong with you people?"
Jaxon, leaning forward with a grin, tapped the table. "Relax, Maya. This is just a game. Maybe someone saw an opportunity and took it."
"Twice?" Maya glared at him. "That's not strategy—it's sabotage."
Francisco, who had been quiet up until now, spoke with a sly smile. "Or maybe it's a test of how well we adapt. Think about it—what if we focus less on who's betraying and more on how to win despite it?"
Maya folded her arms, still fuming, but she nodded reluctantly. "Fine. But if I catch anyone else betraying the group, they're done."
[The Camera Room]
Calder sipped his coffee, his eyes fixed on the screens. "The Groups are starting to fracture. So much betrayals in a row? That's bound to cause chaos."
Irina smirked, her fingers tapping against her chair. "Good. Let's see who rises to the occasion. The ones who can lead through betrayal are the ones worth watching."
### Rounds 3-7
The betrayals continued, and the chamber grew louder with each passing round.
**Round 3 Results:**
- **Group 3: Win**
- **Group 7: 1 Betrayal Detected**
- **Group 5: Loss**
- **Group 10: Win**
- **Group 6: 1 Betrayal Detected**
- **Group 1: Loss**
- **Group 15: Loss**
- **Group 4: Loss**
- **Group 13: Win**
- **Group 16: 1 Betrayal Detected**
- **Group 2: Win**
- **Group 12: 1 Betrayal Detected**
- **Group 9: Win**
- **Group 8: Loss**
- **Group 14: Loss**
- **Group 11: Win**
**Round 4 Results:**
- **Group 3: Win**
- **Group 7: Win**
- **Group 5: Loss**
- **Group 10: Loss**
- **Group 6: 1 Betrayal Detected**
- **Group 1: Loss**
- **Group 15: 1 Betrayal Detected**
- **Group 4: Win**
- **Group 13: Win**
- **Group 16: 1 Betrayal Detected**
- **Group 2: Win**
- **Group 12: 2 Betrayals Detected**
- **Group 9: Win**
- **Group 8: Loss**
- **Group 14: Win**
- **Group 11: Loss**
**Round 6 Results:**
- **Group 3: Win**
- **Group 7: Win**
- **Group 5: Loss**
- **Group 10: Loss**
- **Group 6: 1 Betrayal Detected**
- **Group 1: Loss**
- **Group 15: 1 Betrayal Detected**
- **Group 4: Win**
- **Group 13: Win**
- **Group 16: 1 Betrayal Detected**
- **Group 2: Win**
- **Group 12: 2 Betrayals Detected**
- **Group 9: Win**
- **Group 8: Loss**
- **Group 14: Win**
- **Group 11: Loss**
**Round 4 Results:**
- **Group 3: Win**
- **Group 7: Win**
- **Group 5: Loss**
- **Group 10: Loss**
- **Group 6: 1 Betrayal Detected**
- **Group 1: Loss**
- **Group 15: 1 Betrayal Detected**
- **Group 4: Win**
- **Group 13: Win**
- **Group 16: 1 Betrayal Detected**
- **Group 2: Win**
- **Group 12: 2 Betrayals Detected**
- **Group 9: Win**
- **Group 8: Loss**
- **Group 14: Win**
- **Group 11: Loss**
By Round 6, Group 5 had officially become the chamber's biggest disaster.
"You *knew* we were choosing paper!" Taylah shouted at Mark.
Mark threw up his hands. "And yet here we are, still losing. What does that tell you about your leadership, Taylah?"
Rebecca sighed heavily. "This isn't leadership; it's a train wreck."
"Agreed," Rurki muttered under his breath.
Meanwhile, Group 7 had started to recover, though the tension from earlier betrayals still lingered. Francisco seemed to take control, subtly guiding the group without drawing attention to himself.
** Round 7 Results:**
- **Group 3: Win**
- **Group 7: Win**
- **Group 5: Loss**
- **Group 10: Loss**
- **Group 6: Win**
- **Group 1: Loss**
- **Group 15: 1 Betrayal Detected**
- **Group 4: Win**
- **Group 13: Loss**
- **Group 16: Win**
- **Group 2: Win**
- **Group 12: Loss**
- **Group 9: Win**
- **Group 8: Loss**
- **Group 14: Loss**
- **Group 11: Win**
Jayda stepped forward once the results were finalized. "Round 7 is over."
Rurki glanced at Zalika, expecting her to panic like everyone else. But she sat there, calm and composed, as if the chaos unfolding around them didn't faze her. *Why isn't she freaking out?* he thought to himself, his curiosity piqued.
Zalika turned her head slightly, meeting his gaze with a serene smile. She leaned in close enough for only him to hear and whispered, "You did something, didn't you?"
Rurki smirked and shrugged, feigning innocence. "No, of course not. Why would I?"
"You're lying," Zalika said with quiet certainty, her piercing eyes never leaving his.
Rurki's smirk widened, and a faint, almost imperceptible glow surrounded his eyes. "Maybe I am. Maybe I'm not," he teased, leaning back in his chair. Then his voice lowered, carrying an air of triumph. "But this is checkmate, Z-A-L-I-K-A."
Zalika arched an eyebrow, her smile never faltering. "You're more predictable than you think," she said softly, her tone laced with amusement.
Rurki didn't respond immediately. The aura around his eyes flared briefly, reflecting the depth of his confidence. "Predictable, maybe," he murmured. "But still three steps ahead."
The two locked eyes, the unspoken challenge between them hanging in the air, as the room buzzed with tension.