Ballad of the Winter Rose
A SW Rebels/Doctor Who Romance
Genre: Gothic romance, drama, hurt/comfort, dark fantasy, slight horror
Cast: the usual, with Tobias Menzies as Tiber Saxon, Kevin McKidd as Fenn Rau, Sharmila Devar as Countess Ursa Wren, Ritesh Rajan as Tristan Wren, and Ashley Eckstein as Ahsoka Tano
Pairings: Thrawn/Minerva, Ezra/Sabine, Kanan/Hera, mentions of Kallus/Zeb
Chapter 45: The Cybermen of Krowsnest Part 4
Chapter Soundtrack: Heartbroken Kiki- Kiki's Delivery Service OST, Fairy Tale/I Want Tomorrow- Enya
After ending the conversation with Saxon, Thrawn felt exhausted. Not just from interviewing potential Fulcrum suspects all day, but also from having to deal with Tarkin's underhanded threats of pulling funding and betting it all on the Death Star. He was also lonely. Eli was now Governor Pryce's office-boy, and his beloved Minerva was off on Mandalore, being feted by Gar Saxon. At least he knew to keep his hand to himself. To top it off, Pellaeon and some of the older officers were going to Old Jho's for trivia night. He would have joined them (trivia night amused him greatly), but he was not feeling it.
Wisely deciding to finish some mind-numbing paperwork before taking a private dinner and turning in early (extra sleep always helped), he turned on his data pad and was soon immersed in busy work when there was a sharp knock at his office door.
Christ Superstar! What idiot decided to interrupt him now? Preparing to intimidate the hell out of the idiot who interrupted his train of thought, he opened the door… darkness there and nothing more! Praying that his reprobate father-in-law was not Force trolling him, Thrawn made a cursory inspection of the corridor leading from his office to the door separating his and Minerva's quarters to the main hallway running the length of the Chimaera.
"Whoever you are, the prank is over," Thrawn ordered sharply. Still no reply, but he could not shake the feeling he was being watched. Refusing to show any fear, he made his way towards his workout room and retrieving a spare blaster laying on the floor. He had just exited when he heard the doors to his office open.
Bloody hell and Jesus Christ Superstar!
He opened the door and raised his commlink to call for backup, when his glowing eyes caught sight of a most peculiar bundle laying on his desk. From said basket came the distinct sound of an infant cooing, nestled in a pink blanket. His eyes widened in realization, this was his and Minerva's future daughter! Placing the blaster on the desk, he walked around to the other side and sat down.
The tiny little girl was certainly an adorable little thing, there was denying that. She had a head of curly dark brown hair and fair skin. She had his eyes, and the name embroidered on the blanket read "Rhiannon Hektor-Thrawn, 5 November 1999, Mitth'Rhia'nnon'Hektor". Looking up adoringly at Daddy, Rhiannon began vocalizing. Her happy coos cheered her father greatly, who gently scooped her up and held her in his safe embrace.
"Penny for the guy, little one?"
Not understanding the historical reference, Rhiannon merely waved her arms and legs about wildly in an uncoordinated manner, and Thrawn kissed her downy head gently. Although, he had to wonder why she was here in the past. A Star Destroyer was not an appropriate place for an infant, especially one who very well could have inherited her mother's Force sensitivity. Had something happened in the future that forced someone from UNIT to deposit her here? Included among her belonging were a diaper, and a family photograph.
Shifting Rhiannon from one arm to the other, he examined the photograph. It was taken back on Earth, and everyone was in civilian clothes. Yularen had arms around a laughing Margie, Thrawn and Minerva were standing together, Rhiannon nestled in her mother's arms. Next to them were Eli and Lyste who looked happier than he had seen either of them in a long time. Scanning the photo, Thrawn caught sight of Eli and Yogar's matching wedding bands. Flipping the picture over, he read the following words:
Valentine's Day, 14 February 2000 (Imperial Year 23)
Wulff Yularen, UNIT Director of Intelligence
Margaret Yularen (nee Fowler)
Grand Admiral Thrawn, Imperial
Minerva, Lady Thrawn
Rhiannon Hektor-Thrawn, Mitth'Rhia'nnon'Hektor, heir apparent of House Mitth, age 3 months
Eli Vanto, Captain of the Imperial Navy
Yogar Vanto (nee Lyste)- Commander of the Imperial Navy
After reading this, Thrawn let out a sigh of relief, his family was alive and intact. Rhiannon began to squirm, impatient to do something besides being held. Moving back into the bedroom, Thrawn lay down the duvet on the floor and her with it, so she would have something soft to lay on. Eager to be on her own, Rhiannon started cooing and taking everything in. Sitting next to her, he dangled his commlink above her arms and encouraged her to reach for it. The hours passed, and Thrawn was certain little Rhiannon had him wrapped around her little fingers. He would do anything to protect her, now and in the future.er Hr
He was so ensconced playing with his adorable daughter, he was unaware of Lyste walking into the bedroom, with a handful of requisition forms he needed to sign. Thrawn had not been in his office and Yogar had been going to leave when he had heard the undeniable sounds of a baby cooing and Thrawn talking quietly to said infant. Confused as to what was going on, he walked in.
"Grand Admiral, I didn't know you and General Hektor had a baby already!"
Thrawn turned halfway round and gave Lyste a pointed look. What had happened to the common courtesy of knocking first? Surely the paperwork could wait until the morning. The commotion attracted Rhiannon's attention, and the infant craned her head to see what all the hubbub was all about. Sighing and seeing there was no simple explanation with regards to the current situation, Thrawn scooped Rhiannon up into his arms and slowly stood up.
"I hope this is important Lyste, I was attending to my daughter's physical and socio-emotional development," Thrawn retorted coldly. Lyste had been getting impertinent with his superiors lately, and all because Lyste was now in charge of a light cruiser. Honestly, it was getting annoying and is dealing with Phoenix Squadron was not annoying enough. Lyste was blushing in embarrassment.
"It's nothing important really… I just wanted to drop off this paperwork before calling it a night," the younger man stammered, shifting from one foot to the other. Letting out a soft sigh, Thrawn held his daughter up so she could see their visitor.
Lyste beamed at the tiny baby, "Well, hello there. Aren't you sweet? What did you and Minerva decide to name her?" Thrawn told him the baby's name was Rhiannon, but not before swearing him to secrecy (under pain of death).
Bidding them good night, Thrawn changed Rhiannon's diaper and put her down to bed. Before that though, Thrawn sat down and read her The Snow Queen. Rhiannon let out a yawn and fell asleep just as the story ended. Kissing her softly, Thrawn lay her down on the duvet, when he heard a cough from the doorway.
"Ahsoka Tano, you're the one who brought her here. What happened to Minerva? Is she safe," Thrawn asked the ex-Jedi anxiously. Laughing gently, Ahsoka explained she was merely babysitting and felt a bit of father-daughter bonding was in order. Scooping up the infant, she replied, "Happy Christmas, Grand Admiral. Will you be extending the Christmas Armistice to Kanan Jarrus?"
"Likewise, to you as well, Lady Tano. Should there be a final battle at the end of the year, I will extend it to Captain Syndulla and Bridger, everyone else will depend on everything plays out. Good night," he bowed his head politely before turning in for the night.
Worlds away and the following morning, Sabine was feeling much better. After talking it over with Ezra, Sabine felt as though she was finally ready to speak to her mother. Everyone was sitting down, and Fenn Rau addressed everyone, "How did everyone sleep last night?" Everyone said they had, and once breakfast was served, Sabine and Ursa began negotiating how to handle the Imperial occupation going forward.
It was a lively discussion, each side respecting what the other had to say, and counterpoints were well made. Both sides agreed that while mistakes were made, going forward they were going to have to get along to get the Imperials out of Mandolorian space, and Fenn Rau offered to stay and help. Also, they had a secret army of Cybermen! The Empire would never see it coming!
With everything wrapped up nicely, the Ghost crew headed back to Atollon when they got a call from Rex, who had stayed behind because he had contracted pneumonia and had to be treated there. As the Ghost entered hyperspace, Zeb and Ezra settled into a game of holochess, Kanan cleaned his lightsaber, and Hera and Chopper were speaking to Commander Sato.
"How is Ezra taking his separation from Sabine? Considering this is first girlfriend, it can't have been easy."
"It wasn't, take it from me. I think they kissed for almost five minutes before Zeb pried them apart. Teenage hormones, can't live with them, can't live without them either. Aside from Rex's ailment, did we miss anything?"
Sato's demeanor turned serious, "We've picked up chatter from Wild Space…"
"What, what is it?"
"The TARDIS! The TARDIS has been sighted."
At the mention of the blue police box, Hera felt her eyes grow wide and jaw go slack. "Did you say the TARDIS, as the one the Doctor pilots? The Doctor? Doctor Who is aiding us," Hera collapsed to the floor, in silent disbelief. "A miracle! The Doctor is taking our side in the war. Does Rebel High Command know?"
Sato whispered and cautioned her to be quiet, "Shhh! It's just a rumor and I don't want to get our hopes up. Besides, the only way the Doctor would get involved with us is if an Earthling was involved…"
Hera frowned, "Is there a chance he's trying to rescue Targeter? I mean, is she a companion?"
Sato snorted, "I highly doubt it, I've talked to Fulcrum about it, she's no companion to the Doctor. Apparently, he rescued her when they met across the cover of a science-fiction novel."
Hera snorted bemusedly, "He being Thrawn, I'm guessing. I can't speak for personal taste, but his species are attractive."
Sato nodded, and reminded her that they needed to focus on the main mission on reaching Lothal to destroy the TIE Defender factory. Only time would tell what would happen next.