@[Stormbound](/user/show/312438) Thanks for the reply. I'm glad you liked the story. Some responses in no particular order... My default assumption is that indenturement as a drone is permanent and absolute. Although in-story people may not necessarily believe this. One miscellaneous idea for possible later story use was a brief scene of someone fretting over an urban legend, which claimed that the original personality remains aware and trapped as a rider in its own body. That wouldn't have been a main plot development, just a minor bit of characterisation of that guy and the society he lives in. For a variation where the slave retains a sense of self and tries to rebel: that was the plot behind the superhero story 'The Conscription Of Ruluk Tarn' for the recent 'The Wrong Roommate' writing challenge. More specifically, I'm pretty sure I was influenced by the trope from drone stories of permanent transformation, which is a very common plot element in that particular genre. Also, the setting spins out of the slave fiction genre, and after thinking about it, I think I was influenced by the trope of what could be described as 'unjust punishment': either full false arrest and enslavement, or disproportionate punishment for a real offence. That doesn't necessarily mean that indenturement couldn't be partial or temporary, if you wanted to write a story along those lines. As for Dean's motivation... You know, I don't recall what his behind the scenes motivation was. It was probably just that he's turned on by the idea of dronifying another man. The text implies that, if nothing else. But at a stretch I could speculate that Dean was motivated by social obligation. The phrase 'slave heart' cropped up in a few stories that I've read over the years, and in at least one case it was considered negligent to not help a 'natural born slave' accept his true nature. Actually tricking Scott into becoming a drone was underhanded, of course...

@[Zandramas](/user/show/10050408) Hi, thanks for the huge reply! I love many of the same themes as you. I love the idea that all slaves being permanent may be an urban legend. I'm also a huge fan of false imprisonment and permanent transformation either though false charges or false/accidental volunteering for it. Given the sophistication of the suits and the severity of the punishment permanent makes a lot of sense. I love when boys lust over the forbidden status of the slaves wishing they could feel what it was like and end up with more than they bargained for. Another story that hit these buttons recently for me was "Slave processing pod" over on the nifty archive. In that one though the slave is still aware of what has happened to him and less of a drone but more of a slave that must obey or be punished. A slavesuit this sophisticated with neural control could easily enforce behavior and actions without a mind wipe I suspect, perhaps that could be a difference per crime, only the severe crimes are full drones and others are just controlled or something. I always love when a naive boy ends up in too deep with no way back out, especially when "trying" on gear he shouldn't have or that belongs to/on someone else.

@[GiveInToTheMusk](/user/show/909380) Hey, respect!

@[Reader](/user/show/780823) Thanks for getting my brand of humour, best not to take things too seriously

@[time.to.occur](/user/show/1662851) Thanks for your encouragement. Part two is nearly complete, I will proof-read this evening with an aim to publishing later today. Cheers

@[Flucky](/user/show/10033293) Thank u <3