The Joy Ride

[rosetto 0]

Her arms were wrapped around his waist and fear ripped through her mind but she couldn’t close her eyes. Her hair was whipping in all directions and she could feel the sun beating down on her scantily covered body. She didn’t care. Not even the adventure to Harrington Sky Bridge could match the adrenaline surging through her veins. Chen Hai Dozo was 8 annuls, very handsome, golden yellow skinned and broad shouldered. Joia could feel his heart pounding with hers as they sped through the busy park.

 

 

“You like this?”

 

“Kidding, right? This is fabulous! I’ve never gone this….Whoa!” Chen leaned into the jetcycle and they were both pulled violently but the bike safely avoided a small group of people having a picnic. Joia panicked and Chen felt her tense up. He chuckled and accelerated down an empty foot path.

 

“Chen, be careful!”

 

“Scared?”

 

“NO! er, yeah, a little bit.”

 

“I know exactly what I’m doing, babe.”

 

 

Joia looked at him for a moment and seemed to be in agreement. She’s really impressed by how Chen had been handling the jetcycle. Sure, she was scared but no more than she’d been at amusement parks. Joia felt all twisted inside and squeezed her legs tighter as he banked the jetcycle hard to the left and they headed off into the farm lands of inner Southgate.

 

 

There were fields of wheat and barley as far as the eye could see in every direction and the hills rose and fell like motionless ocean waves as the two daring adolescents skimmed the crests of wheat. Several times they’d dipped low enough for the stalks to brush their grains against her bare legs but it was only for a moment and then Chen would pull back on his mechanized thunderbolt and it would rise up making the grasses out of their reach again.

 

 

After a while as the town disappeared beneath the rolling hills there appeared a small grove of trees. Chen pointed the bike in that general direction. The cycle was moving so fast that they were on top of the trees in a matter of decons and Chen brought the cycle to a stop right under a nice tree.

 

 

“Sweet”, commented Joia as she climbed off the bike. She was actually a little relieved to be back on the ground and her legs were quivering. She watched as Chen powered down the jetcycle and set its auto-stabilizer. He then opened up the saddle pack and pulled out some Gorken Ale. When he turned around he had a big smile on his face and Joia was a little surprised but also excited. Her father had given her sips of Romulan Ale before and although it was bitter, she liked the bubbles.

 

 

Gorken Ale was based on barley malt mixed with a hops brew. It was a unique flavor for ale giving it an extra tang on the palette and Joia seemed to like it very well. They both sat down against the tree and swigged their brews.

 

 

“Nothing like a nice cold brew after a hard run, ay little one?”

 

“I’m not so little anymore there, mister”, Joia replied with a smirk. “Besides, if my dad were here he’d tan your hide for this.”

 

Joia laughed and Chen, knowing her dad very well, paused in thought and then joined her in laughter.

 

“How’s your dad doing?”

 

“He’s been really busy, I guess. I write him every day but his work keeps him pretty occupied. I have no idea what he’s doing. He keeps telling me that it’s just boring star plotting but I know my dad. If he’s bored then he finds something interesting to do!”

 

“Do you think he’s…?”

 

“Nah, I don’t think he’s that interested in other women.”

 

“Joia, I think you’re kidding yourself. Wake up.”

 

 

Joia looked at him with a concerned frown but didn’t want to fight with him. They had been having too much. She looked over at the bike and widened her eyes.

 

 

“So how fast have you had that thing going?”

 

“7.5, but a buddy of mine had one up to 9.3. Of course that was on an open beach area and he was alone and…”

 

 

Joia felt a buzz from her pocket and she pulled out her PADD as he continued to explain why his friend could go faster. She didn’t want to interrupt him but this was an urgent call from her mother. It was a recorded message that would instantly contact her mother after Joia had listened to it.

 

 

“Chen… Please excuse me; I have to take this, okay?”

 

He nodded politely.

 

“Joia D’Cel Rosetto? I am tired of being ignored. We gave you that PADD for a reason and again you’ve shut off your locator function. Young lady, I am not pleased with your performance.”

 

The device immediately contacted Harriet and she knew who it was but simply answered, “Yes.”

 

“Mah...um… I’m not ignoring you. You gotta learn to trust me, okay? I’m not that little girl of 3 annul any more. Besides, I got your message and responded right away…”

 

“It’s not that I don’t trust you, Joia. It’s all those other offworlders who fly in and sweep you away with their unbridled charms! You never know WHAT those wackos are thinking.”

 

“Chen’s not a wacko. He’s a nice boy…”

 

“You’re with Chen right now? You are barely six and he’s eight going on twelve! I want you to…”

 

“Mom, He’s not like that… Geez...”

 

“Well, you know the rule. If your father was here, he’d be pretty upset. A message would have been nice to calm your mother though.”

 

“Yes Ma’am. I’m sorry. I forgot…”

 

“Well, I want you home by 15 dami; no excuses. That gives you 30 daki to say goodnight. Oh, by the way, just WHERE are you two? And it better be a public place.”

 

 

Joia cringed and didn’t know what to tell her. She looked at Chen who had been unintentionally listening and he was shrugging his shoulders. She’d get little help from him.

 

 

“We’re in the park. We have his jetcycle and will be home in 15 daki?” Joia looked for confirmation from Chen and he nodded.

 

“Jetcycle! Errrrggggg…. Girl, you frustrate me. You tell him to be careful and to keep it under 3.5 with you on the back! I’ll see you in 30.”

 

Edited August 19, 2010 by rosetto