@[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.

@[Rex Stryker](/user/show/10019359) Thank you! I'm so glad that there are people who enjoy my stories!