Ziban and the other members of Sobek's crew emerged from the planet's Stargate. Ziban pulled out a communication device.

"Sobek, this is Ziban. We have arrived. Are you here?" Ziban asked.

Sobek's voice came over the device. "Yes, I am," he replied. "Remain at the Chap'pai and keep it secure. I will join you shortly."

"Yes, my lord," acknowledged Ziban.

- - -

At the campsite, Sobek approached the campfire and extinguished it. He glanced at Daniel, whom he had secured to the nearby tree, as he did so. "My people have arrived. It is time to leave," he declared. Once the fire was out, Sobek walked over and started to release Daniel. "Now, we will go to my ship. I warn you, try nothing or you will regret it. Soon, Daniel Jackson, you will become my host…Soon."

Daniel quietly rose to his feet. He'd considered offering protest to Sobek's last remark but decided there was little point. He just hoped that Jack and he were able to come up with a plan and break free before that happened. With the arrival of Sobek's ship, however, their chance of success was dwindling.

- - -

Once Daniel and Sobek had joined the others at the Stargate, one of Sobek's crew dialed the address for an uninhabited planet. Then, all present entered the event horizon and arrived on that planet's surface. Remaining just long enough to dial the address for Sobek's ship, the group entered the new event horizon and this time emerged aboard the vessel.

Sobek glanced at Ziban. "Lock the prisoner in one of the cells," he ordered. "But see that he is not harmed. When I am ready, he will become my new host."

"Yes, my lord," responded Ziban.

Sobek headed for the flight deck, while Ziban selected two Jaffa to take care of Daniel. Once they were on their way to the brig, Ziban left to join his leader.

- - -

Upon entering the flight deck, Ziban sensed that Sobek was troubled. "Something wrong, my lord?" he asked.

"I'm not sure," replied Sobek with a frown. "Our instruments are not detecting anything, but I have a strange feeling of being watched."

"You think perhaps a cloaked ship?"

"Perhaps…but it would have to be someone with that capability." Sobek considered the problem for a few moments, then continued, "We shall see. Fire blasts systematically in all directions."

After several shots were fired, there was evidence that something had been hit and a faint image of Selmak's vessel became visible. Ziban pointed at the ship. "There, my lord."

Sobek grinned in satisfaction. "Yes. I suspected something was there…so, the Tok'ra wish to interfere. Most foolish."

"Destroy them?" guessed Ziban, preparing to resume fire on the ship.

Sobek considered it a moment, then answered, "Not yet. It appears that our random shots have already caused considerable damage. Even at full capacity, that ship would be far inferior to ours. We will force their surrender."

Ziban was surprised by Sobek's decision. Usually, Sobek would eliminate his enemies immediately. "You have a plan?" Ziban wondered.

Again, Sobek grinned, even more smugly than before. "Yes. While at Stargate Command, I accessed their computers. It seems that a Tau'ri named Jacob Carter, the father of the female member of SG-1, is a host to the Tok'ra, Selmak. Most likely, that is Selmak's ship and the rest of SG-1 are on board."

"Then, wouldn't they pose a threat to your plans for Daniel Jackson?" warned Ziban.

A still grinning Sobek shook his head. "Not if we're careful. They will be far outnumbered and helpless as our prisoners. Once Daniel Jackson has become my host and been subdued, I will deal with them."

"How?" asked Ziban, still curious about Sobek's plan for the group.

"I'll explain momentarily," responded Sobek. "First, fire two more blasts to further cripple them--just make sure the targets are nonvolatile."

"Yes, my lord."

After Ziban had fired two strategically aimed shots, Sobek ordered, "Now, contact the ship."

Ziban made several attempts to hail the ship, then said, "They are not answering our hails."

"Let me try," Sobek suggested, stepping over to the communication device. "Attention Tok'ra vessel. Your ship has sustained considerable damage. There is no way you can fight or escape. You will surrender now or be destroyed with your ship. You have one minute to decide."

- - -

On board Selmak's ship, Teal'c glanced at the others. "If we surrender, it will not go well with us," he observed.

"And if we don't, Sobek will destroy us. There is no doubt about that," a frustrated Jacob stated.

Selmak took control and though unnecessary, quickly reminded them, "There is more at stake than just our lives. If Sobek succeeds, many worlds will be at risk. As long as we live, there is still a chance--though quite slim--that we can find a way to stop him."

"We need to help Jack and Daniel," insisted Sam.

"I was not suggesting otherwise," Teal'c declared. "Merely pointing out how unpleasant Sobek will make it."

"Then, we're agreed--we surrender?" Selmak asked. Receiving grim nods from the others, Selmak contacted Sobek's ship and announced, "We surrender."

"You have transports rings on your vessel?" Sobek guessed.

"Yes," confirmed Selmak.

Those on Selmak's ship could hear the satisfaction in Sobek's voice as spoke. "Good. You will use your rings to link with the platform on my ship. Leave your weapons behind and try nothing or you will suffer the consequences."

Because of the gravity of the situation and his warrior instincts, Teal'c proposed one solution while they they were on their way to the cargo hold. "Perhaps we should ignore that last request. If we went in armed and surprised them, we could make Sobek our only target. Three zat blasts will vaporize him. Seconds later, we'll probably be killed by Sobek's Jaffa and we will be destroying O'Neill when we destroy Sobek. But to stop Sobek and protect the worlds in danger, I think O'Neill would approve."

"Well, I don't," snapped Selmak, surprising them.

"I thought you wanted him dead," Sam stated.

"I do," Selmak confirmed. "But this is not the way. Sobek would not leave himself vulnerable to our weapons. He would remain concealed until he knew we were subdued. Besides, even if the plan succeeded, others on board his ship may know of Daniel Jackson's significance so the threat would still remain. Our deaths would accomplish nothing."

"So we do nothing?" Teal'c concluded.

"For now," Selmak confirmed. "We will follow his request and leave our weapons here. But I have been on his ship. There may still be one small weakness that we can utilize in our favor. I will try to formulate a plan of some sort."

"And in the meantime?" Sam wondered.

Selmak allowed Jacob to voice the answer all of them already knew. "We are at Sobek's mercy."

- - -

Sam, Teal'c and Jacob, enclosed by the transport rings, materialized on board Sobek's vessel. As soon as the rings vanished, Sobek's armed Jaffa stepped closer and took them prisoner. It was only then that Sobek came out of the shadows and walked over to join them.

With a grin on his face, a gloating Sobek said, "Welcome. I can promise your stay will be a memorable one." Sobek paused a moment and glanced at Ziban. "You wondered about my plans for this group. Well, now I will explain to you and to them."

Sobek took a few more steps and stopped directly in front of Jacob. "You, Selmak, should be able to provide us with all sorts of information about the Tok'ra bases and defenses."

"I will tell you nothing," spat Selmak, in contempt.

Undaunted, Sobek continued, "We shall see. I'm sure my interrogators can help you change your mind. And your host, Jacob Carter. On his world, he outranks my current one. I'm sure he should be able to provide valuable information as well." Before Jacob had a chance to respond, Sobek moved on to Teal'c. "And you, Shol'vah…I plan to succeed where others have failed. When we are through with you, you will rue the day you transferred your allegiance from Apophis to these weak Tau'ri. You will provide a lesson for all our subjects that treason will not be tolerated."

Teal'c responded by spitting in Sobek's face. As an angry Sobek wiped his face clean, Ziban punished Teal'c with a blast from his zat.

Sobek's grin spread further as he approached Sam. "And Samantha Carter…your primitive computer images fail to portray your true beauty. It will be a pleasure to have you on board." He moved closer to kiss her but Sam pulled back. Sobek would not be thwarted but tried again. Sam slapped his face and tried to defend herself with a martial arts kick. Using a Goa'uld manuever, Sobek counteracted her move and threw her to the floor. Then, he reached down and grabbed her hair with one hand, pulling just hard enough to force her to stand. "Now, stand up," he ordered as she did so.

"Leave her alone!" Jacob demanded, trying to go her aid but two armed Jaffa forced him to remain where he was.

When Sam was again on her feet, Sobek reached out and grabbed her chin firmly with his free hand, forcing her eyes to meet his. "A woman with spirit. I like that," he added. "I love a good challenge."

Still maintaining his grip on Sam's hair and chin, Sobek leaned forward long enough to give her a brief kiss. After that show of force, he released her and turned back to Ziban.

Sam reached up and wiped her lips with the back of her hand, as though she could brush the kiss away. Though she may have some feelings for Jack, she could not stand this monster that now controlled him.

"Lock them up," Sobek told Ziban. "We'll deal with them later. In the meantime, perhaps they will consider the benefits of cooperation."

With that, Sobek headed for the exit to go to the flight deck and Ziban and several Jaffa escorted the prisoners towards their cell.

There were only two cells on Sobek's ship. Since he rarely took prisoners, that number had proven sufficient in the past. Now, one of the Jaffa forced Jacob towards Daniel's cell, figuring the men would share one cell and Sam would have the other. "No," protested Ziban. "That one is special. He remains alone. These prisoners will have to share the other."

With no further comment, the captors prodded their prisoners towards the indicated cell, opened the door, and shoved them inside. Ziban remained behind a moment while the other Jaffa left. Standing beside the prisoners' cell, he said, "A warning to all…you would be wise to submit to Sobek's will. He is not known for his patience." Then, Ziban followed his Jaffa underlings and left the prisoners alone.