Riders on The Storm
Posted on Thu Jun 18th, 2026 @ 5:45am by Lieutenant JG Jacob Rosen & Lieutenant JG T'Lar
3,310 words; about a 17 minute read
Mission:
Character Development
Location: Lake Tahoe/ Starfleet Retreat and Conference Center
Timeline: Shore Leave Day 4
"Alright, I will admit I have always been a bit afraid of motorcycles." Jacob said as T'Lar prepared their rental. He had agreed to her suggestion initially but now that they were here, clad in freshly replicated riding gear, Jacob felt a bit of anxiety as he shifted his weight from foot to foot. He was determined to ride and conquer this bit of fear. It was just like his first time jumping in the ocean miles off shore. At least that was what he told himself.
T'Lar patted his shoulder reassuringly.
"This is the Moto Guzzi 2380 MGEX 81, with the advanced control configuration package, automatic transmission, and standard seating set up for cruising. Mine is configured in the standard set up as I am an experienced rider. Yours I have configured with braking assist and gyro stabilization, but if you wanted to we could just enter a destination and it would take you there with zero input from you. But this way you still get a feel for the bike and the throttle. I have it set at one hundred percent stabilization, which means you cannot tip the bike over no matter how hard you try. That doesn't mean you can't be thrown from the bike however but there are safety measures in place to keep you from making the sort of aggressive moves with the handle bars that would result in such an accident and both your suit and your helmet are airbag equipped in any eventuality."
Jacob appreciated the fit of her own riding gear for a moment before making eye contact, feeling heat spread to his cheeks as he was caught, and immediately began fiddling with his jacket pockets. He had allowed her to pick the ensemble, and while white with red accents were not necessarily colors he would have selected for himself, she was right they did look nice and he liked the way it fit him.
"So uh, are we ready to go then?" Jacob asked, picking up his helmet.
T'Lar picked up her helmet and placed it over her head; her long hair in a tight french braid. She motioned for him to do the same. Tapping a button on the side of her helmet she spoke into the internal mic.
"Testing, one, two, three. Can you hear me Jacob?"
"Loud and clear." Jacob replied after pulling his helmet over his head, swinging his leg over the bike cautiously. He loved to ride bikes, that is to say, bicycles. This had to be the same thing. Only faster. And heavier. And deadlier. Federation News at 11: Portland man turned into asphalt paste attempting to keep up with girlfriend. Stay tuned for review of Ferengi Ramen fusion spot.
She quickly ran through how to open the various vents on his helmet for ventilation before checking their hardbags and rear trunks were secured with all of their belongings. She brought herself helmet to helmet with him.
"You are going to do fine. I promise to not go too fast. The ride will take us about 3 hours and there should be minimal traffic in the person driven lanes, as most people prefer to use the auto drive lanes. If you need to stop for any reason, just tell me."
As she turned to get on her bike she smacked him on the butt playfully."Jake and Tally! Let's ride!"
Leaving the Starfleet Retreat and Conference Center at Lake Tahoe they headed north on the 89 into Tahoe City proper, following the north shore highway til it bent away to the west and the little town of Truckee. It was 08:30 and the sun was shining through the trees as they made their way down the 80 West over the Donner Summit and down past Donner Lake. T'Lar kept the pace at an even 65 miles an hour as they made their way down the mountains. Jacob for his part, once he got over his initial terror of going downhill, needed to be reminded to not ride the brakes a couple of times by the onboard brake assist as the bike automatically shifted into a lower gear. T'Lar, who had been a couple of bike lengths ahead of him slowed down to come along side.
"Jacob, you are doing well. How do you feel?", she asked; her voice calm and soothing.
"You know this isn't too bad. I think I get the appeal." Jacob replied watching the ease of which T'Lar was able to nimbly maneuver the bike. "We've past some incredible scenery when I've had the courage to look around." He said with a genuine laugh. Jacob found that he was in fact enjoying this new activity, it was an adventure and conquering the fear was satisfying.
"We are just outside of Nevada City, and it gets much easier from here to Sacramento. There are hills but nothing like what we just went through," She informed him.
"I'll keep your advice on the brakes in mind Tal." Jacob said as they turned together through a lazy curve. Like the hike around Lake Tahoe, Jacob was aware that this was an experience of T'lar's that she wanted to share with him. He had asked to know more about who she was, and through her actions not just her words, T'Lar was showing him. "Thank you." Jacob said, and he meant it.
T'Lar was right. While there were still hills to roll up and over, the ascent and descents were long and relatively low compared to the High Sierras. In retrospect, perhaps it had been a bit much to ask of Jacob to tackle that stretch for his first ride, T'Lar thought, hoping it hadn't soured him on the experience as a whole. When they got to the town of Auburn T'Lar told Jacob to follow her to the 49 south exit and in short order she led him to a small park for what she felt was probably a much needed bathroom and water break.
The sounds of the engine ticking in heat after shutting it off fascinated Jacob as he removed his helmet. Air cooled internal combustion engines were not something he had a ton of familiarity with. Jacob crouched to examine the exposed components. He started his career in Engineering as an Enlisted Crewman, and had never lost his love of taking things apart to see how they worked.
T'Lar removed her helmet and retrieved two water bottles from the rear trunk of her bike, handing one to Jacob. While Vulcans can go for days without water, she knew that it would reinforce Jacob's decision to drink water if he saw her doing the same. It was basic psychology, really.
"Well, Jacob," she started,"Was this a good idea or a terrible one. Please be honest."
"This was a wonderful idea. Once I got over the sheer terror that is." Jacob said, accepting a water bottle with a smile. "These accelerate way faster than any car I've driven. But it is a good experience to push ones limits."
T'Lar sat on her bike thoughtfully for a moment.
"Were I to give an honest assessment, I would say that for a first ride that was more challenging than I anticipated it would be for you and for that I apologize. That being said, you improvised, adapted and overcame your fear and I could tell that you were really riding by the time we got here. How do you feel about handling the bike now?"
"I'm still not gliding like you, that would probably take a long time. But I am more comfortable leaning into the turns." Jacob found himself appreciating the braid of her hair. "I've got a great teacher." He said with a smirk.
T'Lar smiled. "The good news is, that was the most challenging bit of riding for the rest of the trip. From here to San Francisco is mostly flat, with wide sloping curves and a few hills but nothing like the Sierras, and the trip from San Francisco to Santa Cruz along the coast is winding with some rolling hills but nothing too difficult."
The two of them took care of their biological needs and being thus refreshed got back on their bikes and headed towards the 80 again, headed ever westward through Sacramento, and Davis, all the way down to Napa where they hit the 12 West through the wine country towards Sonoma. They passed numerous picturesque vineyards on their way to the 121 South til they hit the 37 west which eventually merged with the 101 south. T'Lar pointed out the Vulcan consulate compound as they passed it in Sausolito and they began heading downhill along the coast, getting glimpses of the bay. Suddenly the vista opened up and they caught sight of the City and the Golden Gate Bridge and Starfleet Academy across the Bay. One last turn found them going through a tunnel then coming out onto the famous bridge.
"Now this is an incredible way to cross the bridge!" Jacob said in awe. "Completely different perspective! Way better than driving or when Commander Nix made us do the log runs over it." He looked over to T'Lar. " If your holo drone can keep up, this would be an excellent action shot."
T'Lar was of like mind and was already deploying her holocam in drone follow mode. A review of the footage later was indeed spectacular.
The two of them rode side by side across the bridge to the old Presidio exit which took them into the grounds of Starfleet Headquarters adjacent to the Academy. They parked their bikes in the parking lot of the Visiting Officers Billeting Quarters, and went to check in. Once they were given their room assignment they retrieved their luggage and headed in to shower and change. T'Lar called down to the desk to arrange to have their riding suits cleaned overnight. T'Lar having gone first in the shower, made use of the replicator to replicate herself a new Starfleet uniform, from pips to shoes and set about doing her hair while Jacob took his turn.
Jacob cleaned up the edges of his beard before exiting and dressing in a fresh uniform, clipping the pips on the tunic and zipping on the jacket. There was something charming about being back here at this genesis of all Starfleet Officers. As someone who attended the Technical Services Academy or Boot Camp on Mars, Jacob had much better memories here at Starfleet Academy.
"Good Evening Lieutenant." Jacob said approaching T'Lar at the window. "Care for an evening stroll?" Offering his arm with a smile and a glint in his eye. Sometimes even an Officer and a gentleman needed to ham it up a little for a beautiful woman.
"I would find that most agreeable, Lieutenant." T'Lar answered.
The two walked through the grounds, watching Cadets spend their evenings study in groups or participate in extracurriculars. It was nostalgic and full of that nuanced beautiful sadness that made one appreciate where they had come from and how far they'd come.
"I've always wanted to come back and teach for a few semesters." Jacob said as they followed the path into a courtyard gazebo.
"Really? When?" T'Lar asked.
"Not for a while, maybe in a few years. I do think I rather like the Sunfire and her crew." Jacob said looking back at T'Lar. "Maybe some more than most." He continued teasingly.
"I can only speak for myself, but this crewmember finds your company most agreeable." She countered. Suddenly, T'Lar stopped cold, grabbing Jacob's left hand in her right, and squeezing so tightly it began to hurt. They had just rounded a bend in the main quad area when they found themselves facing a holographic memorial outside of the now repaired Starfleet Academy Student Union Building. The memorial had three holographic plaques, each three feet high by two feet wide, suspended on three circular daises three feet in height themselves. In the center of the three memorialized cadets stood the image of Brian Kernan, dressed in his cadet uniform, with a black ribbon to the right of his visage superimposed with the Starfleet Academy logo and reading 'Cadet Brian Kernan KIA Starfleet Academy Student Union Building April 19, 2375'.
"It's Brian..." T'Lar gasped suddenly realizing where she was, "I was so busy enjoying our walk I forgot where I was headed."
Jacob stood closer to her, not interrupting the moment but letting T'Lar know through his touch that he was there to support her however she needed.
T'Lar realized she was holding Jacob's hand extremely tightly and eased off the pressure.
"I am sorry, Jacob, I didn't mean to hurt your hand. I just... I was not mentally prepared to see the memorial. It was still in the planning stages when I graduated. This is the first time I've been back anywhere near the Student Union Building since the attack. I purposefully avoided coming here for the remainder of my time at the Academy." T'Lar confessed.
"I know T'Lar." Jacob replied softly, watching her body language and her micro expressions. The more time he spent with her the more he could pick up on those quiet shifts.
"The last time I was here was when he died," she said, her voice quivering, eyes welling up with tears. "I'm sorry Jacob, I do not mean to be emotional. You would think I could face this better after five years, but its coming back to me like it happened yesterday."
"You have nothing to apologize for. That's how loss works. It is proof that we still have care to give." Jacob said, gently running his thumb on the back of her hand.
T'Lar dabbed at her eyes with the sleeve of her uniform.
"Please, Jacob can we get out of here. I do not wish to make a spectacle of myself."
"Of course T'Lar." He said gently as they walked away, silent save for the crunch of the pavement under their feet.
Arriving back at their room T'Lar sat on the bed utterly subdued.
"I am sorry Jacob. I ruined our walk. I am so very sorry..."
Jacob sat next to her, taking her hands in his. "T'Lar there is nothing to apologize for. I should have realized there was going to be a memorial of some sort and we should have discussed it. I am sorry." He said honestly.
T'Lar shook her head
"I actually very much enjoyed visiting the Academy with you. I have many pleasant memories of this place as well. It was foolish of me to not prepare myself through meditation for the inevitability of coming face to face with the past in this way. If I am being honest, I let the thrill of our new relationship distract me from thinking about old wounds. In many ways that is a good thing, however in this instance, it left me unprepared to deal with the past when I was confronted with it suddenly."
"I enjoyed it as well." Jacob said with a soft smile. "Listen, you never. Ever. Have to apologize for your trauma. We've both lived through hard times and made it through changed." He lifted her fingers to his lips and lightly kissed them. "All we can do is keep going, learning, living. Not ignoring it, not isolating ourselves from it. Maybe one day the pain of the past won't hurt so much and maybe that's not today and it's not tomorrow either. That's ok."
"Thank you for being so understanding, Jacob. You are right. I know you are right. You would think that a counselor would intuitively realize the truth of such things, but it's different when you are the one suffering from the trauma. I am very grateful to have such a caring individual in my life who truly understands what I am going through." She said as she held his hand tenderly.
They faced the sliding glass window that looked out to the twinkling lights across the Bay. The Golden Gate Bridge lit against the dark sky of indigo and purples as the sun's last rays retreated behind the horizon. Jacob's arm around T'Lar with her head resting on his shoulder. He gently caressed her arm, comforting her.
"Home is behind
The world ahead
And there are many paths to tread
Through shadow
To the edge of night
Until the stars are all alight
Mist and shadow
Cloud and shade
All shall fade
All shall...fade"
T'Lar smiled and shyly started reciting some lyrics herself...
"In my life, there's been heartache and pain
I don't know if I can face it again
Can't stop now, I've traveled so far
To change this lonely life
I wanna know what love is
I want you to show me
I wanna feel what love is
I know you can show me..."
Jacob awoke early the next morning to find yet again T'Lar had stirred before him. He began to realize that would probably be the case most of the time, she was an earlier riser than him. He padded out to the sitting area finding her with a mug of what he assumed to be her usual tea. Her legs curled up underneath as she sat in the plush armchair. Jacob kissed her on the cheek as he walked to the kitchenette to replicate himself some coffee.
"Good morning beautiful. I assume we are on the road south again today?" He said with a beaming but still groggy smile.
"Good morning. Yes today we take the coastal route to Santa Cruz. It's about a two and a half hour ride." T'Lar answered.
"Excellent, I'll get our luggage packed shortly and we can be off. Did we get our riding gear delivered from base laundry?" Jacob said, sipping his latte as he sat down in the chair across from her.
"It did but there is no hurry. I thought I would replicate us some omelets for breakfast. Mine will be vegetarian of course; with hashbrowns. How do you like yours?" She asked getting up from the chair and setting her cup aside as she headed towards the replicator.
"I would love a spinach and feta please. Thank you T'Lar." Jacob said as she walked to the replicator. This shore leave so far had been wonderful, full of shared experiences. However, Jacob found that equally as important were these small moments.The scents of their warm beverages mingling with the breeze coming off the Bay. The sound of T'Lar's steps through the kitchenette. The warmth of a lingering touch as she passed.
"Very well," she said, instructing the replicator to make Jacob's chosen selection. After it materialized she handed him the plate with a fork. Next she ordered her own breakfast and sat down at the small dinette next to him to eat. She informed him that this leg of the trip would be mostly on autopilot function, both for enjoyability but also because they would have to make their way through the City on their way to Highway 1, which given San Francisco's hilly nature was no small challenge for motorcyclists. In addition to the autocruise setting, T'Lar informed him that she would be setting the bikes up for tandem cruising with her bike as the lead that way their bikes would never be more than a bike length away from each other and she could adjust for side by side riding on the fly.
Having finished their breakfast and preparations for the day, they suited up and loaded their gear on their bikes for the next stage of their journey. As they made their way across the City, T'Lar activated a playlist from the onboard streaming service and broadcast it to Jacob's helmet as well.
"When the lights go down in the city
And the sun shines on the bay
Ooh, I wanna be there in my city, oh
Oh, oh, oh..."
TBC
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