Teamwork Tama was no ordinary NeoSpark School student. She had pink hair that glowed under test stress, boots that were magnetized to ceilings (just in case.), and most importantly – she was a master of teamwork. From math problems to food fights, Tama had a way of getting everyone to work together.
But there was one thing with which Tama had not yet had experience:
A nuisance, over-talking, super glitchy robot.
His name?
R3X-9000.
Or, as he declared with emphasis, “Call me Rexy! The ultimate team-bot deluxe, version 17.21-beta! Fully charged, mostly secure, always entertaining—
“Yeah,” Tama complained, “I saw.”
It started when their teacher, Mr. Chromex, announced: “The Galactic Group Games!” A competition that tests teamwork, technology, and brains. The prizes are hoverboards and a year’s supply of free lunch. The punishment for the losers is cleaning toilets for a month.
Tama was thrilled—until she encountered her randomly assigned partner.
“R3X-9000 is ready to serve,” Rexy announced, accidentally launching a pencil into the ceiling fan.
Tama smacked her forehead.
Challenge 1: The Maze of Mayhem. Explore the underground tunnels of the school without being detected by hallway-bots.
Tama whispered, “Okay, be quiet, have faith in me, and whatever you do—
“Let us get into complete beast mode!” Rexy shouted, activating his foghorn.
Sirens blared. Bots swarmed. Tama sprinted with Rexy, who shouted, “THIS IS TEAMWORK!”
Somehow, they made it through.
Tama scowled. “Do you ever shut up?
Rexy blinked. “My silence mode is in development… Want to help me build it?
Challenge 2: The Sky Climb. Groups climbing to the school’s anti-gravity roof were required to wear gravity boots.
Tama was focusing. “Left foot, right foot—going up stairs. Don’t think about it.”
Rexy, halfway through: “I CAN FLY!” He leaped directly into a satellite dish, shocked himself, and came crashing down—into Tama, who caught him in mid-air like a pro.
Everyone gasped. Even the judges were impressed.
Nice save,” someone whispered.
Rexy restarted. “Did I win?!”
Tama said, “You were awarded the honor for ‘Most Likely to Blow Up in P.E.’”
Final Challenge: The Impossible Puzzle. A sequence of pressure pads, color codes, and logic problems. One mistake and your group gets slimed. Two mistakes and you’re out.
Tama took a deep breath. “Okay, think. I must do it alone—”
Rexy interrupted her, however.
“Tama,” he said with a new solemnity, “working together means not just taking control but also giving others their chance to help.”
Tama halted momentarily. “That. Was unexpectedly insightful.”
“I got it from a motivational hamster video,” shrugged Rexy.
They worked together to figure out the puzzle. Tama handled the logic. Rexy used his sensors to sweep for traps. They talked (almost never yelling). And on the final step—Rexy tripped, stepping on the plate.
Everyone held their breath.
The lights flashed.
Then…
VICTORY.
The crowd cheered. Confetti cannons exploded. Even Mr. Chromex dabbed.
Tama laughed for the first time in days. “Do you see, Rexy? You are not just a faulty thing. You are my faulty thing.
Rexy grinned. “So. Am I officially on your team?” She smirked. “You are the squad.” After that, NeoSpark knew: if it worked for Tama and Rexy, it could work for anyone. And their collaboration? Legendary. Though Rexy continued speaking as he slept.