Sobek walked through the expansive holding area, his boots echoing on the cold metal floor. The scent of sweat and fear mixed with the faint, sterile smell of the Goa'uld ship's interior. Before him, rows upon rows of families were kept in long, narrow cages, their eyes hollow with exhaustion, their bodies malnourished but still strong—enslaved yet proud.

  Hathor had presented him with five thousand families to serve as the labor force for Vulcan IV. These humans, regular citizens from various worlds, had been chosen for their strength and potential. And although Sobek had been offered the altered Jaffa—warriors bred to serve as the ideal hosts for Goa'uld symbiotes—he had chosen differently. While there was nothing he could do about the ones who were already hosts. Sobek could be more selective about his future caste.

  Hathor had questioned his decision, her voice laced with disbelief when she had first heard of it. “Why not Jaffa, Sobek?” she had asked, her gaze piercing. “They are strong, obedient, and serve as perfect hosts. Why waste resources on these… lesser beings?”

  But Sobek knew better. He could still recall bits and pieces of the lore, the events of the Stargate universe that had once captivated his human mind. The Jaffa, though seemingly perfect as warriors, were a volatile asset. They were bound by their symbiotes, yes, but they were also a powder keg waiting to explode. Teal'c, the Jaffa who had once served under Apophis and defected to the Tau'ri, had been the beginning of a rebellion that would tear through the ranks of the Goa'uld. The Jaffa would soon become unreliable at best and outright rebellious at worst.

  No, Sobek thought. He would not gamble with Jaffa.

  Instead, he would build something different, something he could control for longer. Regular humans, though subjugated for now, would be far more pliable in the long run, especially once they adapted to the ways of the Goa'uld. But Sobek knew that, in the end, it wasn’t just about power for power’s sake—it was about survival. And there was one thing he needed to secure before all others: a Queen Goa'uld.

  As Sobek walked, his gaze fell on his two slaves, trailing quietly behind him. Hana was the one closest to him, her presence like a shadow. Her soft, brown hair flowed gently past her shoulders, and her freckled nose reflected the harsh light of the holding area, giving her an almost ethereal look. Sobek had grown accustomed to her silent, obedient nature. She had been with him since his arrival, and while he had not asked for her name, he had learned much about her through observation. Her loyalty was clear, and she had shown a quiet strength—qualities that Sobek had not overlooked.

  Hana was not like the others. She followed behind him without a word, her hands clasped in front of her, her eyes always on the ground. He had dismissed her thoughts on her own future, as slaves were not permitted to question their fate. Yet, there was something about her. She moved with a fluid grace, the way her body seemed to align with the Goa'uld surroundings, almost like she was born to serve this world. She seemed to understand his needs without him needing to speak them.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  Sobek’s thoughts drifted briefly, but his focus remained sharp. His plan, now set in motion, was to gain enough power to eventually take Hathor as his Queen. Despite his clear ambition, he knew that such a goal would take time. The first step was to establish his dominance over Vulcan IV, build it into a base of operations, and begin gathering the strength he would need. But once he had the necessary leverage, he would begin his manipulation of Hathor, guiding her into his grasp.

  He didn’t doubt that he could outmaneuver her. She was strong, but predictable. He had studied her long enough to understand the cracks in her armor. And he was patient.

  As Sobek continued his walk, he noticed Hana's quiet presence behind him. She had not spoken since they entered the holding area, not even when he had paused to observe the humans around them. Her silence was not one of submission—it was more calculated. She knew her place, but there was an air about her that was hard to ignore. Sobek had learned to read the subtleties of those around him, and Hana’s silence was one that suggested deep introspection, perhaps even a quiet defiance that had been tempered by years of servitude.

  It amused him, in a way. A mere slave, yet she held a certain strength. It was something Sobek had not expected to find among his slaves, but he realized it would be foolish to dismiss the potential in even the most seemingly inconsequential of people.

  “You are quiet today,” Sobek remarked, his voice cutting through the silence. His words were casual, but his tone held an underlying layer of interest.

  Hana’s head snapped up slightly at the sound of his voice, and she responded with a faint blush, her gaze lowering once more. “My lord, I am at your service.”

  Sobek smiled to himself, amused by her reaction, though his mind was already shifting toward the future. “You are always at my service, Hana. But I wonder—what is it that keeps you so composed, even when faced with this... endless cycle of servitude?”

  Hana hesitated, her fingers curling slightly into the folds of her garment. She chose her words carefully. “It is not my place to question, my lord. I serve as I am ordered.”

  Sobek let out a soft chuckle. It was a simple answer, but one that held more meaning than it first appeared. Hana, like all the others, was trapped in her role. But her answer spoke volumes about her acceptance of her fate, at least outwardly.

  Sobek’s mind shifted again, back to his plans. The Goa'uld system was fraught with danger, and the time to strike was now. He needed to ensure his strength grew quickly, build the power that would allow him to control not only his planet, but Hathor herself. She would be the key to everything.

  As he walked through the holding area, his eyes never left the cages of enslaved families. But now, they settled on Hana. His hand brushed against the cold, smooth surface of the ship's walls as he continued forward, his mind whirring with the next steps of his plan.

  The Queen Goa'uld he needed was already standing before him—Hathor. And once he had secured her trust, he would claim her as his own.

  The game had already begun.