Dionysus: Dionysus Trilogy Book 1

By Beck Todd

Dakota Allerson hopes moving to a new planet will be the best way to start a new life, but from the moment he lands on Dionysus, he learns that's easier said than done. Discovering his family's anarchist past and his own capabilities as a seer, a talent that allows him to glimpse the future and is highly illegal, Dakota must decide who he can trust

• Language: English
• Publisher: Rebecca Todd
• Release date: Jun 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9780578916521

Book preview

1

Lyceum

The spaceport was busy for a Munday. Citizens and visitors of the planet Lyceum moved throughout the upper levels of the circular skyscraper, going about their business. People crowded around services desks to buy tickets for another region of the planet or for another world or star system. All with varying levels of patience.

Dakota Allerson waded through the crowds, trying not to bump into people and apologizing whenever he did. Making his way towards the outer wall, he circumnavigated most of the other travelers and breathed a sigh of relief at reaching the stairwell. Dakota climbed up the two flights to his designated waiting area, which was just as packed as the lower levels.

Scanning the waiting area for a vacant seat, Dakota studied the spaceport. The interior was a perfect circle, as was the skyscraper itself. The outer walls were floor to ceiling windows with three-foot thick glass, meant to protect human occupants and reveal the city's skyline. Lyceum’s cities consisted entirely of skyscrapers, the majority between a hundred and two hundred and fifty stories tall, the tops obscured by dense clouds. The first dozen or so floors were nothing but metal skeletons with supports driven deep into the ground, designed to prevent damage and loss of life during flash flooding and heavy rainfall. Covered walkways connecting each building stretched across the city like a giant, metallic web.

Dakota spied a handful of empty seats next to the eastern windows, close to the exit stairwell. Making his way there, he placed his backpack down beside one of the seats and sat opposite a businessman reading the news.

Looks like rain, said the businessman, glancing up from his phone to get a better look at the newcomer.

Doesn't it always? Dakota smirked. Lyceum had been terraformed as a rain world so that fresh water could be produced for fully urbanized worlds with little or no available resources for their billions. Three consecutive days of sunlight were a rarity. Having grown up on Lyceum, Dakota couldn't imagine a world without storms.

The businessman extended his hand. Dan Smyth, he introduced himself.

Dakota Allerson, Dakota replied as they shook hands. Dan Smyth's pale skin seemed paper white against his black suit, and he appeared to be in his mid-thirties despite his white hair.

So, where are you heading, Dakota?

Dionysus.

What do you know, that's where I'm going, Dan smiled, but the smile quickly faded. His eyes narrowed. You're not traveling across the Quadrant by yourself, are you?

Well, yes, he answered as a matter of fact.

Do you have family there?

No.

Then, why Dionysus? Dan asked, pocketing his phone.

University. I want to study engineering. Dakota added, Why are you going?

Business. Nothing special. Dan hesitated. I don't mean to pry, but why Dionysus? Why not attend university here on Lyceum? Or somewhere nearby, like Silvanus or Fides? Or even Novatera, for that matter?

I don't know why, Dakota shrugged, uncomfortable at the on-slot of questions. He recalled looking at the Republic Directory earlier that year, scanning through all the habitable worlds and seeing Dionysus. He scrolled past it a few times but always went back. The name possessed a magnetic draw. There was just something about it.

Fair enough.

Dan Smyth turned his attention to the skyline. Small raindrops fell and coated the windows. The already gray sky grew darker. A bolt of lightning struck the lightning rod of a nearby building, giving its residents enough free energy to last the month. Dakota's shoulders tensed, the hairs on the back of his neck stood on end, as the bolt scarred the sky and roaring thunder surrounded the building.

I hope the flight isn't delayed, said Dan as he looked at his wristwatch.

What type of watch is that? Dakota asked, wanting to focus on anything other than the storm. The watch face was made of glass with a leather band and had letters in place of numbers. III instead of three. X instead of ten. Dakota assumed it was old and quite expensive.

It's called analog, Dan explained. They were in style during the last century, but not so much nowadays.

I've never seen one, Dakota replied, studying the timepiece.

Well, I've had it for a long time, Dan reflected. Peering at the watch, Dan unhooked the metal clasp of the strap and handed it to Dakota. Here, you can have it.

What? Dakota straightened and leaned as far back as his chair would allow. No, I couldn't. Besides, it looks like it belongs in a museum.

What good will it do in a museum? It's better off with you. Dan stretched out his arm, waiting for Dakota to take the watch.

Dakota reluctantly accepted the impromptu gift and wrapped the watch around his left wrist, adjusting it to fit snugly. The added pressure felt odd.

Thank you. He had never owned anything as valuable as Dan's watch must be.

Before either of them could say another word, a young woman in her late teens or early twenties sat down next to Dakota. Catching her breath, she darted her head from left to right, attempting to orientate herself. She asked Dakota, What's your flight number?

LJD 502.

Thank God! she exclaimed, brushing her hair, a hodgepodge of purples, out of her face. This place is insane. It took me an hour just to reach the service desk.

I'd except this on a Friiday, but a Munday? Dan commented.

Exactly! I'm Toni Ryorden, by the way.

Dakota and Dan introduced themselves.

The spaceport isn't always like this? Dakota asked, confused by Toni and Dan's comments.

Not really, answered Dan. His eyes narrowed. Wait, haven't you flown before?

Dakota shook his head. I've never flown. Just traveled on the monorail. And only for long distance travel. The first time had been when he was eight years old. His grandparents had taken him to see Lyceum's capital city, Thoreau, one of the few cities built on the planet's sparse mountain ranges. That trip was one of only a handful of times Dakota had left his home city Deimos.

You've never been in space before? That's unbelievable, remarked Toni.

Dan pointed to himself. Business. He pointed to Dakota. University. He then asked Toni, Why are you going to Dionysus?

Oh, I'm not going there, she clarified. My aunt lives on Janus. I'll be getting off at the midway point and spending the summer there. Although it's Janus' winter. She smiled. It will be so good to see sunlight again. Too much rain on Lyceum for me.

That must be nice spending time with your family, said Dakota.

Yeah, Toni replied, more focused on the oncoming storm.

Thunder roared once more, the continuous rumbling lasting over a minute. Steady raindrops covered the windows, transforming the skyline into a blur of lights.

A voice came over the intercom system. People froze in their tracks and conversations came to a halt. The voice announced that all flights scheduled to take off within the hour would leave early to avoid the storm. Later flights would be delayed.

Hearing the flight number for Dionysus, Dakota slung his backpack over his shoulder and joined the line forming at the stairwell. A dozen runways crisscrossed the spaceport's roof, located two stories above the waiting area. Toni stood three people ahead of Dakota while Dan stood directly behind him.

You're going to love space, Dakota, said Dan. It gives you a whole new appreciation for our universe.

I hope so.

The line moved at a snail's pace.

How close were you with your grandfather? Dan asked out of the blue.

I'm sorry? Dakota turned around and looked Dan in the eye. Why would he ask that of all things?

What I mean is, do you have something that belonged to him?

Blood drained from Dakota's face. Did Dan Smyth know about his grandfather's pocketknife? Spaceport security had cleared it so long as Dakota kept it in his suitcase and it never left the luggage compartment. Dan could not be hinting at anything else.

Did you know him? Dakota saw two possibilities. The first, that Dan was part of spaceport security and was monitoring him. The second, that Dan had known Dakota's grandfather. He hoped for the latter.

I know enough, Dan replied.

Your ticket, please, said a third voice.

What? asked Dakota as he faced forward. The line in front of him had vanished.

Your ticket, please, sir, repeated an irate flight attendant, and not for the second time.

Dakota held out his phone with the ticket on the display. His hands shook. The air around him felt heavy. Why did Dan ask about his grandfather? The man had been in his grave for seven years. It was possible the two men could have met, but for what purpose? If he was part of security, why not ask about the knife outright?

How well did you know him? Dakota asked Dan.

Sir, please go to the roof, ordered the attendant.

I'll explain later, Dan told him.

Dakota climbed the stairwell, gripping the railing. The roof was large enough to hold a dozen commercial and privately owned spacecrafts, the largest of which could carry a thousand passengers. The Dionysus bound craft, a Phoenix model 809, could carry only a hundred.

Dakota walked towards the craft in a shaky manner, his mind focused on Dan's strange questions and comments. Had that been the reason he gave Dakota that watch? The man was a friend of Dakota's grandfather? The air smelled electric. Cool winds rushed past him. Rain fell steadily, the droplets beading together and rolling off his waterproof coat. Wet hair clung to his forehead. He had forgotten to pull on his hood. Too late for that.

Boarding the spacecraft, Dakota's thoughts drifted to Dionysus and whether it rained a lot there. And then he realized that he knew next to nothing about the planet. The climate, the culture, his reason for choosing it. Somebody was touching his shoulder. Snapping out of his thoughts, Dakota saw a flight attendant leading him to his assigned seat. Toni Ryorden sat in the seat opposite him.

As Dan Smyth was being shown to his seat, Dakota flagged him down.

Later, Dan said before Dakota could utter a word. He sat at the other end of the craft, outside of Dakota's view.

Excuse me, miss, Dakota asked an attendant with platinum blonde hair. When will we arrive on Dionysus?

In about two weeks, she answered. We'll have to make a stop midway around Janus to refuel, and some of the passengers will take connecting flights from there.

Thank you. Dakota sat back in his seat and tried to relax. His back and shoulder muscles were in knots. He wanted, no, he needed, to speak with Dan, and wished he had been seated next to him. Not to mention flying for the first time. And not just around the planet, but in the vacuum of space. Dakota took off his coat. Why did they keep the interior so warm?

Toni reassured him that spaceflight was the most common mode of travel in the Republic and exiting an atmosphere was nothing to worry about. He appreciated it, but his chest tightened with every word she said.

The spacecraft's engines hummed, and the craft lifted skyward. Dakota hazarded a look out of the window. The city below grew smaller and smaller until the individual buildings were no longer indistinguishable. Protective shields covered the windows once the craft reached the stratosphere.

Dakota's ears popped as the elevation rose. The roar of the craft escaping the thick, cloud-filled atmosphere hurt his ears, causing them to ring. He could have sworn that the walls grew hotter. But reason and logic told him that the interior was insulated, that fear was tricking his mind. His heart raced, pounding inside his chest. Dakota shut his eyes tight and gripped the armrests until his knuckles ached. Then silence.

Dakota cautiously opened one eye once the window shields retracted. He looked out and saw billions of brightly colored pinpoints spread across a sea of black.

2

Layover

Dakota gazed into space as he waited for Dan Smyth in the craft's observation room. Billions of stars and galaxies filled with expanse with vivid blues, reds, and oranges. The aftereffects of supernovae were painted with every color perceivable to the human eye. The closest stars were under the domain of the Republic, but most were far beyond human reach, only meant to bring beauty to the universe.

Dakota had split his time between the observation room and the passengers' cabin, speaking with Toni. She had told him everything about her homeworld, Cinxia, a popular resort planet where one could be 'entertained every hour of every day in every way'. He then told her about Lyceum. The storm parties held for the first rainfall of the month. Entire buildings dedicated to green spaces and gardens. And he asked about the other worlds she had visited.

Dismayed that Toni was leaving at the midway point, he asked other passengers about their travel plans, wondering if any were going to Dionysus. One woman was traveling to Janus for a new job. A brother and sister were also ending their trip on Janus, wanting to join their friends who settled in a nearby colony. Only a handful mentioned Dionysus as their final destination.

Whenever conversations died down, Dakota attempted to speak with Dan, wanting an explanation for his cryptic statements. Dan always gave him the cold shoulder, saying that they would talk tomorrow. But tomorrow came and went until an entire week passed. Dan finally promised to speak with him right before the craft landed on Janus. The craft was landing in less than an hour.

They each have a name, said Dan as he sat on the bench next to Dakota, his eyes fixed on the myriad stars.

It's about time. Dakota turned to face the businessman, but Dan's eyes never shifted.

Did you know that there are over one septillion stars in the universe? And they each have a name. Incredible, isn't it?

The head navigator's voice sounded over the intercom. They would be landing on Janus's moon Sagittarius in half an hour. All passengers were to return to their seats at this time. The dozen some odd people in the observation room exited. Dakota refused to leave until he had his answers.

You said you knew my grandfather, Dakota said, growing impatient.

I never said that exactly, Dan looked Dakota in the eye. How old were you when he died?

Ten.

Dan contemplated for a moment. Nodding to himself, he said, So you should have a good number of memories, right?

Dakota nodded. Most of the memories had faded away, but enough remained.

Was he ever a priest?

I don't think so, Dakota answered, confused. Shouldn't Dan be telling instead of asking?

Then was he often in trouble with the law?

What the hell are you talking about? Dakota's face grew warm.

Nothing serious, Dan said nonchalantly. Petty theft, most likely.

Warm blood filled Dakota's face. The arteries in his forehead and neck throbbed. He balled his hands into fists. My grandfather wasn't a thief.

He would have to be. How else could he get his hands on a bible?

Dakota froze. A millennium ago, the Republic decreed that only religious leaders were permitted to own scriptural texts. Descents and schisms were occurring in several religious groups on multiple planets. The Republic, fearing that these schisms would spill over into the political sphere, viewed this decision as the easiest. Many refused but complied when faced with charges of treason. Although he knew little about his grandfather, Dakota knew that Nathan Allerson was never a member of any clergy. He doubted if the man was even religious.

How do you know that? Dakota asked, dropping his voice to a whisper. He himself had not known about the book until a few months ago when he went through his grandparents' belongings. The lease on the storage unit had ended. Everything left would be sold at auction. He only took the book with him as a memento.

The navigator's voice once again sounded. All passengers were to be in their assigned seats within the next five minutes. Glancing around, Dakota realized that he and Dan were the last ones in the observation room. The outer shields lowered over the windows.

Never stop asking questions, Dakota, said Dan as he rose from his seat. And keep a good eye on that watch.

Dakota looked down at his wrist. The watch was still there. Still ticking. He relaxed his hands. Had he really been prepared to hit Dan?

Standing, Dakota made his way to the passengers' section alone. Dan had vanished in the blink of an eye. How had he moved so quickly? And why give him the runaround? Why not just ask about the book? Yes, it was illegal for him to have that book, but he never intended on reading it. He had wrapped it in a few shirts and placed it in one suitcase and the pocketknife in the other. The case with the knife had been searched while the other had not. Just as he expected. Perhaps Dan did work for spaceport security after all. He must have searched the second case as a precaution. He had found the book and was being discreet. But how would he know it belonged to Dakota's grandfather? Nathan's name wasn't written anywhere on it.

Dakota half sat, half fell backwards into his seat. He inhaled and exhaled deeply, his mind racing. Would he be arrested once they landed? That would be a fine way for him to start his new life! Best case, Dan confiscates the book and Dakota receives a slap on the wrist.

Glancing up, Dakota noticed that he was not sitting across from Toni Ryorden. Instead, he sat across from a man in his forties, wearing a gray business suit and blue necktie. Dakota checked the seat number. He was sitting in the right place.

Hello, said Dakota, studying the man. Odd. He didn't recall seeing him in the last week.

Hello, the man replied with a warm smile.

There was a young woman sitting there. Do you know where she went? Did this man also belong to spaceport security? Just exactly how screwed was he? And all for some old book!

The Cinxian? Dakota nodded. She informed me that she'll be getting off on Sagittarius and asked me to switch places with her. My original seat was next to the luggage storage, he explained. I'm Llewellyn Kai, he said, extending his hand.

Wanting to be polite in case he was in trouble, Dakota shook hands with Kai. Lightheadedness struck Dakota. The craft felt like it was swaying to one side. His heart raced as though he had sprinted five hundred meters. His vision narrowed until he could only see what was directly in front of him. Everything else blurred and faded to black. Anxiety seeped into him. He couldn't breathe, he couldn't... Kai released Dakota's hand. His heart rate returned to its normal speed and his vision cleared. All traces of fear and anxiety vanished.

I'm Dakota Allerson, he replied without thinking. What the hell was that? he wondered, examining his hand and testing his peripheral vision. Well, whatever it was, it was over.

Allerson, Kai tested the word. That's a unique name for this region of the Republic. Are you Dionysian?

No, sir. I'm Lyceumian. Why do you ask?

Your appearance. Yours is that of the average Dionysian.

Dakota noticed that he and Kai shared the same physical features: black hair, dark blue eyes, and bronze skin, though Kai's skin tone was a shade darker.

You're Dionysian?

Yes, Kai answered, smiling. I'm a professor of aerospace engineering at Colmekell University. I gave a few lectures to graduate students at the University of Lyceum at Deimos last month. Now, I'm heading home.

Really? Dakota couldn't believe it. Somebody from Dionysus! Not just somebody. A professor at the university he was enrolled in, and in his major. How had he gone this long without meeting this man? I'll be starting my first year at Colmekell this autumn, he beamed. If he only got a slap on the wrist.

That's wonderful! The University is an excellent school, and Colmekell is a wonderful city. Dionysus's founders could not have chosen a finer capital.

For the third and final time, the navigator's voice came over the intercom, advising everyone to return to their seats and to put on their safety belts. Dakota and Professor Kai promptly obeyed.

Dakota took one last look at space before the protective shields went down. The craft jostled once as it entered the moon's atmosphere. The actions seemed much smoother and shorter to Dakota than leaving Lyceum. Granted, he had been scared out of his wits. Moments later, the craft entered the spaceport's airspace and glided down a newly paved runway without so much as a bump.

Unlike the port on Lyceum, the Sagittarius port was ground level. Only two runways had been paved, with three more marked out in the dark soil. The port's construction began six months earlier and was scheduled for completion within the month.

Sagittarius itself was also under construction. The moon was thirty-seven years into a fifty year long terraforming process. Fifty years was a reasonable amount of time considering it took anywhere between two and three centuries to terraform a planet. Moons were by far less costly, especially when one took into account the rate of population growth. And the current trend to move from urban to rural areas.

At this point, algae and simple vegetation covered the moon's landscape, along with numerous lakes and ponds. They provided some oxygen, along with the thin atmosphere, but not enough. Humans needed to wear oxygen tanks in order to breathe properly while outdoors. Dakota spied several people around the port wearing the small tanks.

The navigator announced that the craft required six hours to refuel and stock up on supplies. Passengers continuing on to Dionysus were allowed to wander around the spaceport in the meantime. Other passengers were to report to their assigned terminals.

They exited the craft via a long, plastic chamber into a small anteroom which connected to the main building. Passengers heading to Janus or connecting flights were handed their luggage before entering the building. Dakota sighed, observing the majority leaving with suitcases in hand. Only a handful, as far as he knew, were actually going to Dionysus.

Dakota, Toni called out, a bag slung over one shoulder and a rolling suitcase trailing behind her.

He smiled and walked over to her.

You'll have to contact me as soon as you get to Dionysus. They had exchanged messaging addressed on the second day.

I will, he said, but maintaining contact was not one of his strengths. Always meaning to send messages, but never getting around to it.

Toni embraced Dakota with a quick hug. He awkwardly hugged her back.

I'm glad I met you, she said, turning to leave.

So am I.

As she walked towards the main door, Toni said over her shoulder, Maybe we'll find each other again.

I hope so, Dakota replied. Part of him wished she could travel the rest of the way to Dionysus. It wasn't often he found someone he could talk so easily with. He doubted they would see one another again.

I don't know about you, Mr. Allerson, said Professor Kai, walking up behind Dakota, but I'm beginning to feel a bit claustrophobic. What do you say we look around the port?

Dakota and the professor skirted around the other passengers and entered the terminal. A surprisingly large number of people occupied the small space, but there was significantly more standing room than at the Lyceum port. He followed Kai to the rental line where oxygen tanks were available for a small fee.

Dakota overheard a man arguing with a clerk in the next line over.

No, I have to be on a flight to Fortuna right now, the man said. Lines creased his forehead and purple marks rested under his eyes. I booked the wrong flight. I have to be there ASAP!

I am sorry, sir, but the next flight to Fortuna isn't scheduled for two days.

You don't under— The man noticed Dakota watching him. What are you looking at? he scowled.

Nothing, Dakota said quietly and looked away. He had an odd feeling that someone in the man's family was very ill and would not recover.

I believe everybody's been inside for far too long, the professor told Dakota, observing the altercation. And don't mind him. I heard there's a small group heading outside if you'd like to join them.

Dakota agreed. A short break before spending another week in space. And if he was going to learn more about Dionysus, Professor Kai was his best bet. Receiving his own oxygen tank, Dakota followed the professor outside.

The tank was simple in design. It held exactly three hours’ worth of oxygen and was supported by two straps that went around the shoulders, like a small backpack. And it weighed only two kilograms. Four thin, flexible tubes came out of the pack and curved around the ears, attached to a plastic face mask. Two tubes delivered fresh oxygen while the other two disposed of carbon dioxide.

Sagittarius's atmosphere was so thin that the stars were clearly visible even though it was mid-afternoon. Janus itself and several of Sagittarius's sister moons occupied a third of the sky. Dakota surveyed the moon's landscape as he and Kai searched for the others. The moon was flat and marshy in some places, with reeds surrounding algae covered ponds.

Dakota cautiously took one step at a time. Never before had he walked on ground level. He had lived in a skyscraper his entire life and had to go to green buildings and bio-domes to get fresh air. Green buildings were the only place on Lyceum's surface to safely grow herbs and grains. Crops grown on the ground would have been drowned in a matter of days. Green buildings had been designed to grow any type of plant. The rooftops were semi-permeable, allowing rainwater to filter into the building's irrigation supply.

Many people had indoor gardens and traded with others living in their buildings. His grandmother had grown several kinds of herbs and spices. Primarily rosemary and basil. If he closed his eyes, Dakota could still smell them.

Dakota? Dakota! Professor Kai called out, snapping Dakota back to the present. He was several meters away, next to a stand of reeds. I saw the group go this way, he pointed into the marsh.

Dakota caught up to him, apologizing for the delay. Walking on the ground, on unpaved soil, was completely foreign. The professor understood. They walked deeper into the marshlands, Dakota's footing growing more confident.

Professor Kai, Dakota said, looking upwards, do all of the stars have names? The numerous amount of visible stars reminded him of Dan Smyth's earlier statement. And where had he gone off to? Dakota hadn't seen him since leaving the observation room. Probably filing a report on him, Dakota imagined with a groan. Well, he could always feign ignorance.

Of course we name the stars, the professor replied. The