Sobek stood before his assembled warriors, their newly crafted armor and weapons gleaming under the dim light of the warship’s massive hangar bay. Thousands of soldiers stood in disciplined formations, awaiting his command. Each cohort was led by a Jaffa warrior, their ornate helmets shaped in the likeness of the serpent, jackal, or hawk, signifying their allegiances.

  Sobek’s golden eyes scanned the ranks as he stepped forward. His voice, amplified by the chamber’s acoustics, carried with the weight of divine authority.

  "The false gods have grown complacent," Sobek declared. "Jakkan is unworthy of his place among the celestial hierarchy. He has squandered his gifts, ruling through fear and neglect, allowing his people to wallow in misery. But today, we bring them a new vision—one of strength, order, and power. We offer them salvation under our rule. Let Jakkan submit to the will of the true gods, or be cast from the heavenly council!"

  A deafening roar erupted from the ranks. The slave troops, eager for conquest, banged their weapons together in a frenzied display of approval. Sobek observed their fervor with satisfaction. Hathor had intended for him to utterly annihilate Jakkan and Wu Ren, but Jakkan was the weaker target. The sluggish and decadent System Lord had grown too reliant on fear to sustain his power. Sobek was certain that once faced with overwhelming force, Jakkan’s Jaffa would see reason and defect.

  His Al’kesh transports, once tasked with gathering vast quantities of gas to fuel weapon production, had been converted into basic troop carriers. These, along with his mothership, now descended towards the planet’s surface.

  Sobek turned and watched the assault unfold from the observation deck, his ship closing in on Jakkan’s capital. The plan was simple yet effective. Two Al’kesh would land at the outskirts of the city where Jakkan’s Ha’tak was docked, beginning the siege. Once his forces were fully engaged, Sobek’s mothership would descend into low orbit and deploy troops directly into the city’s weak points using transporters. With the capital secured, the rest of Jakkan’s forces scattered across the planet would have no choice but to surrender.

  The first of the Al’kesh broke through the thick cloud cover, its engines roaring as it descended. The war had begun.

  Jaffa Commander Hek’ra surveyed the battlefield from atop a jagged outcrop of ruined stone, his keen eyes fixed on the advancing columns of Sobek’s forces. The air was thick with the acrid scent of burnt ozone and scorched flesh, remnants of the earlier bombing raids from the Tel’tak death gliders. Here, in the crumbling outskirts of Jakkan’s capital, the true battle was beginning.

  Hek’ra studied the lines of soldiers under his command. The Jaffa warriors, the backbone of Sobek’s army, stood tall in their resplendent armor, their iconic serpent, jackal, and hawk helms gleaming in the flickering fires of war. But the bulk of the force—the slave troops—wore far less robust protection. Their armor was a simplified version of Jaffa plate, covering the torso and shoulders but lacking the refined craftsmanship of true Jaffa smithing. Instead of ornate crested helmets, they bore thick metal collars that wrapped around their throats and extended up the sides of their faces. These collars, forged from dark steel, were carved with reptilian teeth along the edges, creating a menacing visage that even Hek’ra, a veteran of many campaigns, had to admit was impressive. Each soldier also wore a crimson headband emblazoned with the sigil of Sobek, a stark mark of their loyalty—or, more accurately, their servitude.

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  The new plasma rifles, an innovation developed by Haakja under Sobek’s command, had performed adequately in the initial skirmishes. They lacked the sheer destructive power of the staff weapon’s blasts, requiring multiple shots to take down a fully armored Jaffa. However, their advantage lay in their speed and efficiency; a trained soldier could fire rapidly with little energy expenditure, and Sobek’s forces had the numbers to make up for any deficiencies in firepower. Against Jakkan’s scattered and uncoordinated defenders, the weapons were proving more than sufficient.

  Three of Jakkan’s Jaffa warriors burst from behind a ruined barricade, their staff weapons raised in defiance. Hek’ra pivoted, his own weapon a blur in his hands. He blocked the first attacker’s swing with the reinforced shaft of his staff, knocking the weapon aside. With a swift flick of his wrists, he struck the second warrior’s arm, sending his weapon clattering to the ground. Before the third could react, Hek’ra drove the head of his staff against the warrior’s chest and activated the energy discharge. A red-hot bolt erupted from the weapon’s muzzle, hurling the enemy Jaffa backward into a smoldering tree, his armor sizzling as he slumped motionless to the ground.

  “Secure their weapons! No waste!” Hek’ra barked, his voice cutting through the cacophony of battle.

  His soldiers moved quickly, prying the staff weapons from the fallen and distributing them among their ranks. In the distance, the steady hum of the Al’kesh transports shuttles filled the sky as they descended toward their designated landing zones, reinforcing the forward positions.

  The first phase of the assault had been a resounding success. The initial bombing runs had weakened Jakkan’s forces, and now Sobek’s army was carving through the capital’s outer defenses with ruthless efficiency. Casualty reports streamed in—nearly one hundred slave soldiers lost. Expected losses. They had received basic combat training, enough to wield a weapon and march in formation, but in the grand scheme, they were expendable. Sobek had made it clear: minimize unnecessary risks, but do not squander assets. The slaves were tools, nothing more, meant to soften the enemy before the elite forces moved in.

  Hek’ra’s lips curled into a grim smile beneath his jackal helm as he turned his gaze toward the capital itself. The towering walls loomed ahead, partially obscured by the smoke and dust kicked up from the fighting. Jakkan’s citadel stood at the heart of the city, its spires a testament to the system lord’s once-unshakable rule. Soon, it would fall. Soon, Jakkan himself would kneel before Sobek—or perish in the flames of his own downfall.

  Hek’ra raised his staff weapon high and let loose a resounding battle cry, echoed by the thousands of warriors behind him. The ground trembled beneath their advance. The siege of Jakkan had truly begun.

  A flickering blue hologram displayed the ongoing assault within Sobek’s war room. Jakkan’s forces were faltering faster than anticipated. The new weapons were proving their worth, cutting down defenders before they could mount a proper resistance.

  Sobek leaned forward, resting his hands on the war table, eyes locked onto the shifting battle lines. A subtle presence entered the room—a delicate yet firm touch on his bicep.

  "You are doing well, Sobek," Hathor’s voice purred, rich with approval. "I am impressed with what I have seen these past weeks. This campaign has been highly effective."

  She stepped into his peripheral vision, her regal form illuminated by the soft glow of the holographic display. Her crimson gown shimmered, and her golden eyes reflected the battle below like twin suns. She studied the moving figures on the display, then turned to him with a slow, knowing smile.

  Sobek straightened, inclining his head slightly. "My Queen, your faith in me is well-placed. The battle will soon be ours."

  Hathor traced a single golden-clawed finger along the edge of the table. "Indeed. And once Jakkan falls, Wu Ren will not be far behind. You do understand, don’t you, Sobek? This is merely the beginning."

  Sobek returned her gaze, carefully masking his thoughts. He knew Hathor's approval was both an opportunity and a warning. She was pleased—for now. But should he waver, should he misstep…

  He forced a confident smile. "Of course, my Queen. Jakkan is but the first stone to fall. Soon, the path to a greater future will be clear."

  Hathor’s smile widened ever so slightly. "Then let us see just how well your vision unfolds."