Collapse pt 1

"May I speak with you, Bri-sensei?" Mahrayne smiled at the songwright from the doorway of his office. The Hassinan cast an eye over the Academy Director's desk, noting the piles of correspondence. "If you're not busy, yes?"
       "Nothing that can't wait, Mahrayne," the zn'hre chuckled wryly. "Please come in."
       "I have a dilemma," the female gracefully settled herself in a comfortable chair. "It's one of my amateur students..." Mahrayne sighed.
       "What's the problem?"
       "Apulyi loves dancing and while she has no interest in being a performer as such she is a natural and gifted teacher. She wants to teach and she wants to teach dance."
       Bri'seiyis nodded, waiting for the Hassinan to continue.
       "The problem is she's second-class Saiya-jin and her mate won't hear of her doing anything so... untraditional."
       "A great shame, but not something you can really do anything about." the songwright gently prompted.
      "I know," Mahrayne sighed again. "It just doesn't seem fair. Apulyi said she hadn't realised what it was like to be alive until she started dancing."
       Bri'seiyis was silent for a moment, considering.
       "Ideally, what would she like to do?"
       "Ideally, she'd like to come to the Academy and study dance teaching with me."
       The zn'hre quirked an eyebrow. Training teachers wasn't an issue that had been addressed so far; there were plenty of qualified and experienced tutors available to the Academy as it was but... specifically teaching someone to teach? It was an interesting notion.
       "You've trained teachers before, Mahrayne?"
       She nodded abstractedly.
       "Yes, on Hassina."
       "How did you do this?"
       She shrugged.
      "There's no formal structure to the training, they generally worked alongside me, observing and learning, until we both felt they are ready to work on their own."
      "Could you not do the same thing with Apulyi," Bri'seiyis asked quietly, "during your evening lessons? It may not be as satisfactory as having her come to study with you here, but it would avoid any conflict between your student and her mate."
       Mahrayne blinked, then beamed.
      "That's an excellent idea, Bri-sensei! And eventually she would be able to head her own class! We're getting enough interest in the lessons to warrant starting up more sessions at some stage." Still grinning, the Hassinan stood up and inclined her head respectfully to the zn'hre. "Thank you, Bri-sensei."
       "I'm glad I could help, Mahrayne."

Mahrayne was still buoyed with pleasure at the songwright's simple solution when she swept into the Zhaneer project room, only a little late for her scheduled work.
       "Mahrayne! I didn't think we'd be seeing you today." Zh'nast said affably.
       "I'm sorry I'm late," the Hassinan grinned, "there was something I had to do first."
       The brood waved a clawed hand at her.
       "It's good you're here now," she reached over to one of the work tables, reverently picked up a small piece of silicate-encased parchment and handed it to Mahrayne. "If you'd care to see what you can make of this..."

The morning had flown by for Mahrayne, so engrossed in the fragment of history she was attempting to translate she didn't realise it was midday until Zh'nast gently tapped her on the shoulder.
       "Time for a break," the brood smiled.
       "Already?" Mahrayne frowned, then her eyes widened as she noted the time. The linguist chuckled.
       "We'll see you here in three days time, as usual?"
       "Yes," the Hassinan nodded, gently setting the fragment down on the table. She stood and stretched. "I'd like to continue on this piece, if I may; I've managed to work out a portion of it, but there are some symbols that puzzle me."
       "Of course, Mahrayne," Zh'nast nodded, "I'll make a note of it."

Mahrayne waved a cheerful goodbye to the rest of the team then breezed out of the library to stop, startled, as she came face to face with Leteetza. The little female's face was closed, her eyes hooded as she stood silently in front of the Hassinan.
       "My Lady," Mahrayne inclined her head respectfully, lowering her eyes as she stepped to one side, allowing her one-time friend to pass. Leteetza nodded curtly then prowled through the door into the library, leaving Mahrayne alone in the corridor.
       The Hassinan continued on, feeling decidedly, inexplicably shaky.
       *She still hasn't forgiven me.* Mahrayne spoke unhappily to her twin. *She will never forgive me.*
      Alida smiled sadly and slung a ghostly arm around her sister's shoulder.
       *She may, in time.*
       *I miss her – I miss them all.* Mahrayne whispered, alarmed at how... uneasy her encounter with the little warrior had made her. No, not just uneasy - she was feeling oppressed. Mahrayne took a couple of deep breaths, trying to lift the heaviness blanketing her to no avail.
       "I have to get outside!" she gasped, unaware that she'd spoken aloud as she stumbled along the deserted corridor. It took an age to reach the nearest exit; the sense of being closed in dragging at the twins until they felt they could barely walk, barely breathe. Mahrayne almost fell through the door to stand sobbing in the bright noonday sunslight. Fighting to control her panic the Hassinan closed her eyes, lifted her face to the sun and...

... Mahrayne's eyes snapped open and she reeled from the abrupt disorientation, her head pounding sluggishly in time to the churning of her guts. She and Alida were still on Vejiitasei, still standing in the sunshine by the door they'd exited how long ago?
      *Oh no!* a wave of panic and despair crashed over Mahrayne leaving her chilled and numb. *Was that a foretelling?*
       *N-no,* Alida was shivering uncontrollably. *We saw it happen – I'm sure of it.*
       *We have to find out - * Mahrayne sobbed, then together they sprinted towards the Diplomatic Corps HQ...

Kinu, 'jau as always at his side, had just sat down to the midday meal in the Family's suite when the sudden surge of jumbled, near mindless panic and fear from his mother had him on his feet and flying out the window without conscious thought.
       *MaaziKel!* the cub instinctively *called* the one other person who might know what had happened.
       *I felt it.* Kelapa's *voice* came back grimly. *What the fuck happened?*
       *I don't know I don't know!* Kinu *whimpered*, hovering above the Family's wing of the palace as he cast his senses out trying to *find* his mother.
       **What's the matter, zkai'da?** 'jau hovered anxiously beside him while Lahana - a tall male, one of the members of the nitorine squad assigned as a Family guard – kept watch nearby.
       *Something happened to Maazi – she's really scared.*
       *Where is she?! * Kelapa growled; Kinu was aware of the warrior's approach from the city. *She's got no fucking ki to track!*
       "I found her!" Kinu exclaimed and streaked off in the direction of the Diplomatic Corps building, 'jau and the hard-eyed male following close behind...

"I need to contact Hassina." Mahrayne was strung tight with anxiety but she strove to keep her voice even as she faced the unknown Saiyan male in the Corps reception.
       "I'm sorry, my Lady, you'll need to…"
       Mahrayne slammed her hands down onto the desk.
      "NOW!"
      The young male bristled at her tone even as his hackles rose at the sharp fear in her scent.
      "Please, please I have to contact Hassina!"
      She was almost sobbing now, gulping in deep breaths of air and he scowled, unsure of how to handle the problem. At that moment Zyelenyi hurried out from his own small office.
      "My Lady? Mahrayne?" he approached the Hassinan quietly. "Can I help?"
      "Zyelenyi!" Mahrayne almost cried with relief, "Please, I have to contact Hassina right away!"
      The young male quickly assessed the situation – Mahrayne was obviously distressed, delaying her request by putting it through the correct protocols would not help. He nodded, coming to a decision – if it was the wrong one he'd wear the blame for it, later.
      "Come with me, I'll set that up for you now."

It took a long, long time for the call to connect and Mahrayne's panic rose with every passing second. How much of Hassina had been affected by the collapse? Only Alida's anchoring presence stopped her from becoming incoherent with fear.
      At last, the Lead Speaker's face appeared on the monitor. He was drawn and pale, the lines marking his age on his face were etched deeper than ever before. Mahrayne bit back her tears, she needed no further evidence that what she and Alida had witnessed had actually occurred.
      "Mahrayne?"
      "Lead Speaker – " she couldn't go on and he looked sharply at her.
      "You know!" his shock was evident. "How do you know? It's only just happened!"
      "We – I-I saw it..." she whispered hoarsely. "How much -? H-how many…?"
      Marldus rubbed his hand over his face.
      "I don't know. We've completely lost contact with Bruma's Settlement but so far no other Settlements seem to be affected."
      The Lead Speaker was still talking but his words faded into the background as something, some piece of information about Bruma's Settlement nagged at Mahrayne's mind.
      And then she had it.
      "Nonono!" the pain lanced through her like a burning knife – her sisters, Chumie and Testa, had moved there when they'd been gifted to Daris...
      "Takibi?" Kelapa's strong arms were around her imparting love and comfort. Mahrayne sobbed into her lover's shoulder too distraught to wonder why she was there but wordlessly grateful that she was.
      "What's going on?" Manzano demanded, taking in the chaotic scene in his junior's office. Kinu looked up at the elder diplomat from his place beside his mother; the cub was pale, his black-rimmed golden eyes bright with tears.
      "There's been a cave-in on Hassina – a big one."
      Manzano closed his eyes in sorrow – the Feeodoreeans had recommended the mining on Hassina be at least restricted, if not stopped outright, for just this reason.
      "Warrior," he spoke to Kelapa, "take Lady Mahrayne to the medical centre, they may be able to administer something to calm her."
      Kel nodded curtly, gently scooping up the sobbing Hassinan and cradling her in her arms.
      "We're coming too." Kinu and 'jau stood resolutely beside her.
      Kel inclined her head to the cubs.
      "Thank you."
      The warrior strode out of Zyelenyi's office and Manzano slid into the seat in front of the monitor.
      "My friend..." His voice was deep with compassion as he addressed Marldus. "What has happened...?"

Not completely cognisant of her surroundings, a detached part of Mahrayne's consciousness was comparing the grief she was experiencing with previous hurts...
      She'd been sad when Genesia died, but there was a kind of relief there as well – the dancer had been in pain and she'd welcomed her death. What Mahrayne was feeling now was certainly worse than when she found out her mother had died, but interestingly, less intense than when Kelapa had left her.
      No, not less, exactly - different...
      A fresh spear of grief thrust through Mahrayne – Chumie had been pregnant; she would never see her sister's child. How many other children, born or unborn, had been buried alive today?
      Mahrayne didn't think she could bear the pain of that thought, but then there was a tiny physical sensation, like an insect bite on her upper arm, and the pain – everything – flowed away...

"Maazi?" Kinu stared at the limp form of his mother lying on the examination couch. "Maazi?"
      "What is it?" Kelapa asked, alerted by the panic in the cub's voice.
      "She's gone!" Kinu keened. "I can't feel her!"
      Vinas touched the med-scanner to Mahrayne's neck, and frowned.
      "She's alive – "
      "She's not there!" the cub wailed, automatically *reaching* for the comfort of his bondmate. 'jau, wide-eyed and anxious, wrapped Kinu tightly in his arms and tail.
      *'ani might be able to help.*
      Kinu nodded fractionally then *bellowed* for the older hybrid...

Ti'ani stood beside the examination couch, his hand lightly touching the Hassinan's forehead.
      "I can't get through!" he growled, frustrated. "'rayne's so... different to the rest of us."
      "Do you know what's wrong?" the silver-maned hybrid was shivering in 'jau's embrace.
      "'She's... lost, like 'zhasaan was when he was overwhelmed by all that he *saw*. I don't know why though." 'ani grimaced apologetically. "I can't help, sinam, I sort of know where she is but I can't reach her."
      "What about the Ssii'iin?" 'jau wondered aloud, "he's very powerful, and skilled."
      Kinu gnawed his lip, then nodded.
      "Call him – "
      "He's in council now - " 'ani frowned, starting when Kinu *growled* at him.
      *Would you leave your maazi like this!?*
      The amethyst-skinned hybrid scowled, his tail lashing, then he sighed.
      *No I wouldn't. Right, let's call him...*

Zha'haabron was not enjoying this session of Council. Two of the elder Saiya-jin – both Lords, both more arrogant than they had cause to be – had been hotly contesting some small point for far too long. The High King glanced at Vejiita, noting the sly half-smirk and wondered at the Saiya-jin-no-Ou's reasons for letting this go on.
      *Ssii'iin?* 'ani's *voice*, carrying an undertone of worry, sounded quietly in his mind.
      **Yes, zk'viss?**
      *There's a problem.* 'ani paused. *'rayne has got lost, like 'zhasaan did. Kinu – and Kel-san – are frantic.*
      The High King frowned.
      **Where are you?**
      *Med centre, Ssii'iin.*
      **I will be there as soon as I can**

Vejiita had not been impressed when his Alliance partner stood up and excused himself from the discussion, but Zha'haabron was glad of the excuse to leave - he was beginning to get a headache...

Zha'haabron took one look at Kinu's tear-stained face and immediately knelt beside the cub, wrapping the distraught child in a comforting embrace and laying his cheek against the thick, silver mane.
      "I can't feel her, Ssii'iin," Kinu sobbed against his shoulder. "It's like she's d-dead!"
      An anxious 'jau cuddled in behind his bondmate, stroking Kinu's back with his tail. Kelapa was standing to the other side of the bed and while quiet the warrior was tense, radiating a dangerous intensity. Zha'haabron glanced up at the biotech standing beside the couch.
      "What has happened?"
      Vinas frowned.
      "Lady Mahrayne was brought here, deeply distressed. I administered a sedative and then – " his frown deepened, "I'm not sure what happened. Physically, her readings are all well within normal – "
      " – but I can't feel her." Kinu whimpered. "'ani says maazi's lost."
      Ti'ani scowled fretfully under the zn'hre's inquiring gaze.
      "It's just like what happened to 'zhasaan, Ssii'iin," the older hybrid shoved a hand through his mane, "only I can't get through to find her."
      Zha'haabron stroked a lock of silver away from Kinu's dark eyes.
      "Tell me what happened, sinam." he gently urged.
      Kinu swallowed as he visibly regained control.
      "There's been a big cave-in on Hassina – maazi was really upset – Vinas-sama gave her something then she – " the hybrid's voice quavered " – then she disappeared."
      "Could Mahrayne have had a reaction to the sedative?" Zha'haabron asked the biotech.
      "I – couldn't say, your Majesty," the Feeodoreean was concerned, uncertain. "It's a harmless compound but…" he frowned, "it's not an hypothesis I can rule out without further study."
      Zha'haabron nodded then turned his attention back to Kinu: something the cub said had given him pause.
      "When did the cave-in occur?" he asked. "We've had no word of it."
      "I don't know, Ssii'iin," Kinu sniffled, "not long ago."
      "The brats and I found 'rayne in the corps building," Kelapa growled; the warrior was holding her lover's hand tightly in her own, "She was fucking frantic, demanding to talk to the Lead Speaker."
      Zha'haabron frowned.
      "Mahrayne knew of the cave-in before she contacted Hassina?"
      Kelapa blinked.
      "I – guess so." She frowned, tail twitching. "How did she know?"
      "That is something we can ask Mahrayne when she returns." The High King nuzzled Kinu's mane then flowed upright to stand beside the couch, gently placing cool fingertips on the unconscious Hassinan's forehead. He glanced at 'ani and smiled. "If you could help guide me, zk'viss, we'll begin..."

It wasn't easy. Zha'haabron had never had to try and make *contact* with a non-pathic species before and while Mahrayne may have had the potential for 'pathic communication her mind was still structured like the rest of her race.
      The zn'hre *concentrated*, *pushing* his way through the resistant, almost spongy barriers to emerge into a swirling greyness that flashed chaotically with scraps of images and memories.
      **Ti'ani?** the older hybrid had linked with Zha'haabron before the attempt and so was now able to *see* through the zn'hre's senses.
      *Yes, Ssii'iin,* Zha'haabron could feel the youngster *focussing*. *I think I know where she - * he paused, unsure, * - they are.*
      The High King began to move in the direction Ti'ani indicated only to pull up short as he was swarmed by a multitude of small, glowing gold and silver spheres that darted about him in agitation.
      *What the fuck are these?* 'ani's *voice* expressed his alarm.
      **I'm not sure,** Zha'haabron held still then cautiously *opened* himself to the things. Wide golden eyes flew open. **They're Hassinan**
      *What? How?* the hybrid was incredulous.
      **I cannot explain it,** the zn'hre frowned. **I hope though they won't try to stop us finding Mahrayne.** Zha'haabron edged forwards, alert for any hostile move from the spheres. They continued to swarm but he felt no threat from them, only a faint warmth where they brushed against him. Relieved, the linked pair continued their search.
      Before long Ti'ani had located Mahrayne and, still accompanied by the spheres, Zha'haabron hastened to the Hassinan.
      There were two of her.
      He blinked. There were two identical females huddled fearfully together. No, not quite identical; one had face beads, that was probably Mahrayne, which meant the other must be her dead twin....
      *Ssii'iin?* Mahrayne stared at him, wide-eyed. *What - ?* She stopped, at a loss as to what to ask. The spheres detached themselves from the zn'hre and zipped over to dance around the females.
      **Later, zk'viss** Zha'haabron smiled and held out his hands to them. **Come, your mate and child are waiting for you**
      Mahrayne's expression softened into warmth and love – an expression that was mirrored on her twin's face – as they diffidently clasped his cool fingers.
      *Kel. Kinu.* the twins shared a beaming grin.
      Zha'haabron smiled to himself – he'd had an idea.
      **Can you sense them?**
      The females frowned.
      *No.*
      **Try** the zn'hre urged.
      Mahrayne and her twin glanced at each other then closed their eyes and concentrated, not realising – or not noticing – Zha'haabron subtly *nudging* their focus.
      *Kel!* the Hassinan laughed then practically forgetting the zn'hre in their delight they tore off towards the warm red glow of the warrior...

... to wake back in the cold reality of the mornings' events.
      "Maazi!" Kinu clambered onto the bed, snuggling into his mother's side, bright silver tail winding tightly around her waist.
      "Kinu." Mahrayne breathed her son's name, kissing his mane as she cuddled him close. The Hassinan turned her head to smile at 'jau standing beside her, one of the hostling's slender golden-green hands gently stroking her hair, the other clutching his bondmate's shoulder.
      "Takibi – " Kelapa leant down to brush a kiss over Mahrayne's lips. *I thought I'd lost you.*
      Mahrayne stared – had she just *heard* her lover?
      *T-tahnahn?*
      It was the warrior's turn to stare.
      "I can hear y...*
      Mahrayne bit her lip in frustration, *straining* to catch Kelapa's fading *voice*. The High King's cool hand on her shoulder distracted her.
      "It may take some time, and practise, before the connection is fully active."
      "Ssii'iin? I…thank you." Mahrayne, overwhelmed, said at last.
      "And now you should rest."
      The Hassinan shook her head.
      "I can't, Ssii'iin, not yet," she whispered, "I have to tell the others what – what has happened."
      Zha'haabron regarded her sombrely.
      "Let someone else do it!" Kelapa growled.
      "No," Mahrayne was quietly vehement. She shakily pushed herself to sit upright, gently dislodging her son. "They're my people, my responsibility. I have to do it." She twisted to gaze at the warrior. "Please, Kel, I have to."
      The warrior scowled, tail lashing, then she nodded.
      "I do not think this is a good idea, Lady Mahrayne." Vinas objected. "We have no idea of the residual effects – "
      "I'll return as soon as I can, Vinas-sama," Mahrayne was apologetic, but firm.
      Kelapa scooped the Hassinan off the bed.
      "Where to first?"
      "The Academy." Mahrayne closed her eyes against a fresh wash of grief. She'd just remembered that the young Hassinan singer Undosus had come from Bruma's settlement – and that was where her life-long partner, Inaratus, had returned....