The First Pull

Posted on 2025, Thu Sep 18th, @ 9:54am by Major Alexander Stroud & Civilian Queen Kaitaama XII

833 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Episode 1: Shadows Over Krios - USS Vigilance
Location: Krios Prime – Palace Training Grounds
Timeline: Six days into Major Stroud’s assignment
Tags: Krios Prime, Princess Kaitaama, Major Stroud, USS Vigilance, Marine Detachment, Personal Security, Slow-Burn Romance, Mutual Attraction, Subtle Imprinting, Training Drills, Professionalism, Archer Era, Kriosian History, 2402

The morning air was crisp, carrying the faint scent of the palace gardens and the distant tang of the ocean beyond the cliffside. Princess Kaitaama Lothar strode onto the training grounds with purposeful steps, the soft echo of her boots on polished stone blending with the rhythmic hum of machinery preparing the practice area. Major Alexander Stroud followed at his usual disciplined distance, every muscle taut, every sense alert.

His gaze swept the grounds, cataloging every detail — the position of ornamental barricades, the angle of sunlight across the walls, the faint shadows cast by palace statues. And yet, despite his hyper-focus, there was an undeniable awareness of Kaitaama beside him. Each step she took, each subtle movement of her hands, tugged at him in ways he refused to acknowledge.

“Kaitaama,” Stroud said, voice low and precise, “I recommend we review perimeter drills before the delegation arrives. The eastern approach remains vulnerable under certain weather conditions, particularly if wind speeds increase past thirty knots.”

She nodded, brushing a strand of dark hair behind her ear. For the first time, she allowed herself to notice the way he carried himself — the disciplined posture, the subtle power in his movements, the quiet intensity in his eyes. “I trust your judgment, Major,” she said softly, though a hint of warmth threaded through her words.

As they began the drills, moving through tactical formations and reviewing emergency procedures, Stroud’s focus never wavered. Commands came crisply, actions precise. Yet Kaitaama couldn’t stop herself from observing him closely — the strength in his shoulders, the way his eyes scanned every corner of the grounds, the controlled cadence of his steps. There was something magnetic about him, a pull she had not anticipated.

“You handle these drills… impeccably,” she said during a pause in the exercises. “It’s… reassuring to have someone so capable beside me.”

Stroud’s gaze met hers, steady, neutral — yet the slight quickening of his breath betrayed the internal struggle. “It is my duty, Kaitaama. Ensuring your safety is my responsibility.”

She stepped slightly closer as they prepared for the next maneuver, and for the briefest moment, the air between them seemed charged. The closeness, the shared focus, the subtle energy — it was impossible to ignore. Kaitaama felt a flicker of warmth, a magnetic pull that went beyond respect or trust. Her pulse quickened, though she forced herself to remain composed.

“You… you make it hard to concentrate sometimes,” she admitted quietly, glancing down before meeting his eyes again. “Not your fault, just… this presence. This… intensity. It’s compelling.”

Stroud blinked, momentarily caught off guard. He suppressed the heat rising in his chest, keeping his tone controlled. “I assure you, Kaitaama, I am focused on the mission.”

“I know,” she replied, her voice softening, a quiet smile tugging at her lips. “It’s just… the way you move, the way you observe. I can feel it. I… feel it too.”

His chest tightened, and for the first time, he noticed the subtle change in her tone, the slight hesitation, the almost imperceptible quiver of emotion in her words. Discipline first. Duty first. Yet the pull between them was undeniable, a quiet current tugging at his restraint.

She let the moment linger, then tilted her head thoughtfully. “You know, the first Kaitaama — the one during Captain Archer’s time — she was remarkable. Commander Trip spoke highly of her… of the trust she placed in her security and crew. I think… part of me wonders if I can do the same, if I can be as courageous in letting someone close without losing… myself.”

Stroud’s pulse quickened imperceptibly at the personal nature of her words. He adjusted his stance slightly, maintaining professional distance, yet internally, he recognized the mirrored curiosity in her expression — a reflection of his own growing awareness. “You honor her legacy, Kaitaama,” he said carefully. “And I will uphold the highest standards of security and professionalism, as she would have expected.”

Her lips curved into a soft smile, eyes lingering on him. “I hope… over time, you’ll allow me to see you beyond the uniform, beyond the title. I want you to walk beside me, not just protect me.”

Stroud felt the tension coil tighter in his chest. He nodded once, firmly, keeping his expression unreadable. “Understood,” he said, voice neutral but internally conflicted. Focus. Discipline. Control.

As they concluded the drills and walked back toward the palace, both were keenly aware of the electric undercurrent between them. Neither had crossed the line, yet both felt it — a quiet, magnetic pull growing stronger with every glance, every subtle gesture, every shared movement.

For Kaitaama, it was a stirring curiosity, a recognition of feelings she had never anticipated. For Stroud, it was a battle of discipline and desire, a test of restraint unlike any security protocol he had ever enforced. And as the palace gates loomed ahead, the tension between them remained, unspoken yet undeniable, ready to deepen in the days to come.

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