Chapter 8
They gathered up the others and Mulder's sister led them to a
cottage next to theirs. It was somewhat bigger. A servant was
setting the table for a formal dinner. The boy grabbed Mulder's
hand.
"Come on, Uncle!" he cried, "Come play the video
game with me. Let the girls talk!"
Mulder looked to Scully who shrugged and was led in the opposite
direction. "The afternoon passed rapidly. Mulder learned his
nephew's name was Tig and his sister's name was Sha. The boy
talked very casually about the big ships they traveled on, and
The Homeworld. It was a lot like Earth, but the sun wasn't as
bright because the planet was a little further away. Mulder never
heard the door open. It was the boy who looked up and cried,
"Father!" and ran towards the door. Mulder turned
slowly, to see a man almost as tall as himself wearing an
ordinary looking suit and wrap around dark glasses. The boy was
almost to him when the man came to attention and put his hands
behind his back.
"Tig DeMal, there are guests in the house!"
The boy stopped, straightened, and bowed. "Welcome home,
head of house!" he announced. "In your absence the
brother of your wife and his lady have arrived."
"Then it's the eldest male," the father announced,
"it is your duty to introduce me."
The boy led his father to Mulder. "Sir," he announced,
"this is my father, Shad DeMal. Father, this is our mother's
brother, Fox Mulder, like yourself, an agent of security."
DeMal reached up and removed his glasses. Mulder found himself
staring into large pale blue eyes. Finally the other extended his
hand. Mulder reached out and took it.
"After supper," the man announced, "there is much
we must discuss. I cannot tell you how pleasant my years with
your sister have been!" He put his hand on his son's
shoulder. "And, how much I love those treasures she has
given me! But, too, I have often thought of the anguish of those
wondering of her. And I have often wished to ask their
forgiveness for taking her away, and somehow to make them
understand the desperateness of our need, for I could not want
them to think us an uncaring and heartless people."
"I think I am already beginning to understand, sir!"
Mulder answered. "But I have so many questions! And of
course my forgiveness is given, seeing how happy my sister
is."
"Good!" the man answered, patting Mulder's arm with his
free hand, then finally releasing the other. "It has been a
long day and I missed lunch."
Mulder's sister rose. "Then we will eat immediately!"
she announced.
She clapped her hands. Servants appeared and they began a
leisurely meal. They had just finished when the door chimes rang.
When a servant opened the door a man in a black uniform entered.
"Come, Phillipe!" the elder DeMal called. The man
quickly crossed the room. "Commander DeMal!" he
snapped, "a thousand apologies for disturbing your leisure
time. I must speak to you in private."
"All those here know who and what we are!" DeMal
snapped. "You may speak freely!"
"Sir," the messenger continued, "The Bright One
has returned. His hunt was successful. He has found The Shug
base. He is standing by to disable their sensors long enough for
us to make an assault. But he requests it be within two hours.
Sir, he reports NiSlide is there. He has seen him."
The Commander rose. "How many squads on hand?" he
asked.
"Three, sir," the messenger answered. "The ships
are ready to lift as soon as you arrive. It is forty-five minutes
to the base."
"Then inform The Bright One," DeMal snapped "that
we will attack within the hour."
He turned to his guests. "You will have to excuse me,"
he remarked, "Fortune has smiled on me. There is something I
must attend to." He started for the door, Mulder rose and
followed.
"I want to come with you!" he snapped.
Scully rose, too, but Mulder waved her down. "This is my
world, sir!" Mulder put in.
DeMal nodded. "That it is! Philepe, call ahead. Tell them we
will need an extra uniform and set of equipment."
"Yes sir!" the aide snapped.
In moments they were in a car and rushing to the airport. DeMal
was silent and Mulder didn't question him.
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