@[darkblade2814](/user/show/243317) Thank you!

@[Pcm](/user/show/10039396) you are welcome

@[Marik29](/user/show/10021139) OH! I'm so sorry! I went to go reply to that comment and ended up having to stop _twice_ and then it slipped my mind completely! :scream: I really didn't want to leave you with a “you’ll have to wait and see” but I was still in the process of weighing up which side of the chapter divide I'd be able to fit a lot of what you'd brought up! I didn't want to post a reply that implied you'd get your answer 'this' chapter when (as has proven to be the case) they actually come up in the next chapter,... and then I reached the point where I needed to stop trying to type before I could come up with a satisfactory response. Answering a selection of your points, in no particular order; Yes, the heroes have access to a mobile inhibitor model. Sarah gave one to Nick so he could save Henry _way back_ when he was working for **Tri-Hard** (the same one that protected Nick when Carl tried to attack him in the back yard). Hank's motivations and plans are about to come to the fore in the next chapter, so I'll leave those alone for now. Henry, though, I hope is coming across better now. I know he had a slump in recent chapters but, now that the guilt and shock of what had happened to his dad is being alleviated, Henry should be back to his heroic self. Sarah putting Carl's mind back together? You're not wrong; she's lying about how easy it will be. She _can_ do it, but it'll be a work of months rather than days. Again, I'm sorry I never got back to writing that reply! My arm is usable now so long as I don't do anything stupid. I was lucky it responded well once I could get some proper rest! Thank you and I hope you enjoy the last few chapters as they come out!

@[Blazargus](/user/show/10012784) Haha! Your response to the last chapter’s comments still feels right. Like its own, “I told you so.” It helps keep the suspense going. Keep it coming!

@[Marik29](/user/show/10021139) Yes, first off, let me apologize for the wait. I had a mind-numbing case of flu that cost me a week of any sort of activity,... and after that I've since developed a muscle injury that means I'm replying one-handed. At least it only got that bad the night I sent this chapter off,.. but I'm barely able to hold my mouse right now. As for your comment,... (Thanks! btw) Hank has always been someone who values _personal_ relations with his slaves. He picks out his 'prey' and savors their awakenings into their true selves. These ranks of faceless drones don't appeal to him on that level, but he needs them to fulfill his duty as **Tri-Hard**. As soon as I'm able to write again, I promise we'll see just what that means for the Officers and The Squad!

@[Blazargus](/user/show/10012784) After reading your response and other posted remarks has gotten me thinking. Its established that Hank needs to become his own person again by breaking out of the Tri-Hard persona. And he needs more engaging rubber boys and/or slaves to have around. He needs a challenge. Or a journey as you have put it. As you have also mentioned that he used to 'acquire' and train gym rats into rubber pups for sale. So he will able to resume his previous life with just more means to go about it? With all that said, I am suspecting that the Elite squad will be disbanded and made into more of the intelligent boys/slaves that he needs. He will also fully get himself straightened out as well. From there I suspect he will start reorganizing the host of rubber drones and pups. Perhaps even restoring the minds of some. Perhaps even selling some as he did before. Or a mix of both. But then the question becomes what does he do from there? Does he upscale his previous business model? Is there even an actual 'villian' anymore in the traditional sense? Or does he still retain the Tri-hard mantle? Yet I bet he his feelings about Henry and Nick are still there to drive the story on. And then what if he still believes that Carl should still be his rubber pup? Personally I am bit skeptical of Mom succeeding in getting Carl back on track. But this probably just my own wishful hopes over her apparent secret skills. But on the other team, we have Nick and Henry who seem to have gotten themselves worked out and have gotten a power boost. This has been really needed. Though in a bit of criticism, it would be refreshing to see Henry have some greater maturity and backbone. Despite his powers I see him as regularly meek and doubting. He is often too ready to just go under Nick's control. And maybe that's the intention. It certainly makes for some more enticing outcomes for him. Anyway, I bet Mom will give the army guys the proper power-up they were supposed to get. And they help the hero duo. And they either succeed or get caught by Hank. Though I am still not fully seeing a way that Heroes win in this. Hank has too much power for them to bridge even with a power up and help. But maybe that is your goal? You have said that in the end, no one quite wins or looses. And that I can't see how that actually ends just shows your good writing and not giving anything away. Because I have been trying. So there you have it. I know you won't give anything anyway but I can't help but put out my thoughts. I guess later I can see if I can claim, "I called it." And best hopes to a speedy recovery. I know that such injuries have a tendency to stick around.

@[Marik29](/user/show/10021139) “you’ll have to wait and see”,... ha ha ha! (Sorry, little in-joke here! See the comment in the next chapter for context.)

@TW Thank you! :D We're nearly there now. The lines are being drawn in the sand and by the end of the next chapter we'll be at the deciding moment! A wonderful future awaits Nick and Henry,... whether they want it or not!

@[Naedre](/user/show/931338) But for real, I really love your story! It's hot, it's sweet and I genuinely care for the characters (which says a lot considering this is a smut website). If you ever decide to call back a minor character, maybe bring the training Dildo back? Its scene was one of the hottest I've read. Also, you better make it a happy (and slutty) ending! Brad, Ethan and Samir are just precious.