Descent into Mayhem (Capicua Chronicles Book 1) by Bruno Goncalves

Within fifteen days, the satellite’s continuing orbit would take it more than twenty five million kilometers away from the star, depriving it of almost half its precious warmth.
    How Earthly life had managed to take root so deeply was a mystery to him.
    Kaiser was forced to use his flashlight to search for the heavy uniform, and he found it neatly folded and sealed in a bottom pocket of the Suit’s tactical vest. The mobile Suit hulked over him as he removed the garments, watching silently as its driver turned away and jogged at a brisk pace towards its kneeling twin.
    Lippard was already waiting for him with a coy smile on her face, her aristocratic beauty not in the least bit lessened by the bulky armor of her exoskeleton. As usual, her silver hair was rolled into a tight bun, giving her a somewhat severe look that contrasted greatly with what he already knew about her. Kaiser pecked her lightly on the lips, their maraging steel sternums clashing noisily in the act, and the two drivers set off quickly towards the waterline below.
    *****
    Over the following ten minutes, Lippard was forced to gently defeat two amorous advances from her superior, who seemed unable to simply watch as she washed herself in the cold, clear stream. Kaiser’s demeanor when they were alone was something others who only knew him professionally would perhaps never guess, she thought with amusement. The Bavarian’s worry lines disappeared almost entirely, to be replaced by gentle crinkles around his eyes. His playfulness was almost puppy-like sometimes, although she was quite sure his order for their teammates to return to the meeting point had not been so innocent.
    “If I didn’t know better, mein fuhrer, I would think you intend to achieve another first for the Earth Federation Forces.” She laughed playfully as he began to snuggle against her for a third time.
    “Uhumm ... meine liebe, you are entirely wrong, such a thought has never passed through my mind. Wha – what are you doing?!”
    “Why, putting on my uniform, of course. Since you are so intent on being noble.” She sighed sadly, secretly delighting in his disappointed expression.
    “Kaiser, Deadhand here. Moose is recovered and the beacon signal is strong. Umm, coming any time soon?” An inquisitive voice squawked from his discarded earpiece on the ground.
    Kaiser snatched up the earpiece and answered as Lippard continued to re-suit.
    “Kaiser here. We will arrive in five mikes. You may both begin clearing operations, Over.”
    “Only five mikes? Why the hurry?” There was a hint of humor in Deadhand’s voice.
    “That is all. Over and out.” The commander replied levelly enough, an embarrassed smile momentarily present on his face.
    Deadhand had spoken the truth, she thought. Re-encasing herself in the exoskeleton with Kaiser’s assistance, she noticed how much more snug the fit was, and found herself feeling more at ease as she moved around. Donned his own skeleton, the commander kept up his indignant expression as they returned to their larger halves, petulantly warning her not to be surprised if he didn’t power up immediately, as he’d possibly be satisfying himself in the PS over the following few minutes. Lippard laughed at that, mostly because the chances of her commander doing such a thing were about as high as the planet spontaneously combusting. Kaiser was not the sort. Even his advances towards her moments before had been nothing more than light flirtation. He certainly knew Lippard would never have yielded.
    As they were approaching the Suits, he turned to her, curious.
    “Come with me, Lippie, I want to show you something.” He said, and he set off briskly towards his kneeling Suit.
    The commander leaped athletically onto its massive right thigh and proceeded to search the enormous tactical vest, removing what looked like a cluster of green grapes from one of its pockets. From another such pocket he removed a handful of dirt, and began to studiously