Page 45 of Galactic Sentinels: Vol 2
Basins carved directly into the rock, filled with stagnant water, sit at the center of the space.
This is where the captives were probably scrubbed clean—dirt and parasites removed—before being presented to buyers.
I continue exploring and finally reach the holding cells.
The stone walls are damp, like the rest of the place.
This first room, with its benches and shackles bolted to the floor, was likely used to hold multiple prisoners.
The rest of the cells are the same in layout—but unlike the first, they’re not empty.
Adult Humans occupy them, dressed in torn rags.
Their bodies are thin, scarred. Some have open wounds—poorly treated—that speak of the brutality they’ve endured.
They keep to the walls, avoiding eye contact, as if still expecting more abuse.
I don’t know if Xhor was aware of the conditions these creatures were kept in.
A real leader would have been. And if he did know, then I have to question what the hell he was trying to achieve. It’s obvious that the worse their condition, the lower their value.
Under my rule, the slaves will be washed and dressed in uniforms marked with the Vagantu insignia.
Abuse without cause will be banned.
Of course, I’m not talking about punishment.
We’d lose all credibility if we weren’t ruthless.
But harming slaves without purpose? That’s counterproductive.
And rape will be forbidden—even for Vagantu guards.
Prisoners will be allowed to gain privileges in exchange for favors, but nothing will be forced.
The next room holds a group of Human children huddled together, clinging to one another for comfort.
Their faces are dirty, their hair matted, and their wide, fearful eyes watch me with silent anxiety.
“Kids?” I ask Banny, turning to him.
“Their parents must be in other cells,” he answers with a shrug.
“From now on, we don’t trade in unaccompanied children. They stay with their families. Some buyers just want labor. If having offspring is an issue, they can choose a slave without any. Make sure that message gets around—we’ll avoid dealing with kids whenever possible. They’re too much trouble. And I hate complications.”
“Understood, Lord Noviosk. But… what should we do with these ones?”
“Find out if they have any surviving parents in our dungeons and reunite them. If their father or mother’s already been sold,we’ll figure it out. Maybe we keep them, train them up as guards for Vagantu.”
Banny looks stunned by my response.
I don’t care.
New boss. New rules.
The next cell reveals Humans of advanced age.
I approach a woman who appears to be the oldest in the group.
