"I'll keep it in mind," she says. He might be assuming she's using a robot, but even so, the armor needs power.

She's fairly panting to regain her breath by the time she finishes hauling Washington out of the house. Stupid frail human body. Why had she been so willing to help it recover instead of just leaving it in a coma and using her robot? Why couldn't she just...leave it?

Tex sits on the nearest rock. It's a high perch, so she's sort of half-standing, half-leaning. She slows her breath and concentrates on it: in, out, in, out. That's better. Elbows go to thighs and she sighs. It's an expression of relief, partly, but also of fatigue.