NOVEL NEXT Thunder and Webs C103: Eve of Change
2:35 PM
December 24th
Diana
The conference hall of the First Precinct was a bustling mess as reporters and other high standing citizens filed in for the debrief of the Yuzhou Extermination Raid. I, however, was sitting in a small room off to the side, a makeup artist touching up my face as Executive Investigator Keagan sat like a statue on my side, from his palm appeared a hologram of my father who hummed as the makeup artist failed to conceal my right hand in time. It's glimmering silver rejected all sorts of pigments brushed onto it, at this point I was thinking I'd need to get artificial skin grafted onto it.
Brian Ulrich sighed. "Thanks Penny, you're free to go now."
The makeup artist had a disheartened look, but packed their tools without question before leaving. I rolled my chair to face my father who only grunted. "That's a waste of an NDA if I've ever seen one."
"Can't you take things seriously for once." I muttered underneath my breath, feeling conflicted about everything that had happened in the last few days. My mind still hadn't come to grips with all the sheer death we'd gone through, from Sabrina and Rick, to even Risa Wickett. We'd lost so many Investigators, and depending on what was said here today… it would determine the future of the police force.
We had won. The Bladefather was dead, the Bladedaughter in captivity, and Muramasa was sent scrambling away… with every single Implant besides the Silver and Gold BUGs retrieved. Today, they'd make a verdict on what position Dreadwire would be in as well… the sheer theft Ripley had committed more than warranted a manhunt.
And Omen knew his identity now. Skeleton said they'd keep things under wraps, but…
"Hey, would you want to have dinner for New Years?" Brian Ulrich questioned me, his gaze appearing different, almost… honest. "It's fine if you have other plans, but… I'd like to talk to you face-to-face."
I took a deep breath, considering everything that I knew. "Fine."
"That's enough of an answer for me." He sighed, before swiping his finger as a scroll of text appeared in my vision. I would be making a speech today, it would he heard by hundreds of thousands in Westbrook and beyond for some futile hope in the future of this city. "Just follow the prompter, I honestly don't think there's anything in this that you would find… distasteful. We had an algorithm read all your previous speeches and reports to make it."
I scanned over it, and it was true that I couldn't see anything I wouldn't say. I hated that. But it was all there, and I'd even be revealing details of an investigation into the red-eyed civilians who blew up and decimated hundreds. The first step to taking down Soul Killer.
And I was… announcing myself as a Special Investigator.
I knew I always had it in me to get there, but so soon, and in this way? It felt like a curse, I could count dozens of other brave men and women who we coordinated with that day to siege Muramasa just as deserving of the title.
"Things will change from now on, won't it…" I scanned the speech, finding myself burdened as the voice of the police. People knew and respected Omen, who was now going to be our Lieutenant since Anabelle Grazhe was assumed dead. But they admired me, for all the things I was, and for all the things I wasn't but they believed so anyway. I had to capture that belief and manifest it into a hopeful future.
I had to walk in Skeleton's shadow, in Omen's calculative deception, and I had to hide the fangs I intended to tear their corruption out with. If I truly wanted to make a difference, then… I'd be both hero and monster. Even if my powers had become… unstable, my notoriety was enough to change things.
So, at 3PM, when Omen took the stage, I sat behind him in a decorated uniform, my arms gloved up and an eyepatch on my left eye. Cameras snapped onto me before they focused on Morgan 'Omen' Kirell, his four arms folded behind him as he spoke with a voice dignified and demanding attention.
"Greetings, Citizens of Westbrook and New California… yesterday had marked the end of our operation in eliminating all known threats from the crime organization known as Muramasa Dynasty. It had started as an operation led by many of my fellow colleagues, a disheartening number of whom are no longer with us. Many more in critical condition. It has been difficult to reconcile with the losses we have faced, I admit, but that does not merit us to discredit the steps forward we have taken to purge this city of the name many attribute to it. Westcrook."
He stiffened against the microphone, I'd always known that Omen preferred a more backline approach to police matters, but I'd hardly taken him as the type to get nervous in front of a microphone. "This district had been named Westbrook for one reason only, that it served as the meeting point beyond New California and the rest of the wider world to our East. It was born with the purpose of unifying cultures, of connecting brilliant minds and thriving businesses. But for more than 70 years, we have suffered at the hands of events both within, and out of, our control. From a civil war to an earthquake to mass terrorism desicrating this city, we have been… eroded far from the purpose this great district was built for."
The crowd quieted, their hearts stammering in the dour nature of his speech, before he suddenly grew louder and more demanding in his speech. "But we are far from defeated. Muramasa Dynasty was one of many criminal organizations that took advantage of those who had lost hope in our city, and now they have fallen to the righteous justice they've long since evaded. Their leader, The Bladefather, is dead from the combined union of Captain Ishram Krishav and Yuzhou's forces. Their second in command, The Bladedaughter, has been taken prisoner by the brave front of Diana 'Silvereye' Ulrich, and Kim 'Ghostblade' Liyung. Even those in shadows have taken a step towards bringing justice to correct this city's faults, a man that has no doubt been subject of many headlines lately… Dreadwire."
The reporters all shifted, but Omen raised one of his hands. "I will answer all your questions at the conference's end. In times such as this, it is important we maintain order — and recognize those who have brought it into our city. Especially those… who we have lost."
He shuffled on his feet. "It pains me to acknowledge that my promotion was brought only through the loss of one who had long deserved her rank, but hadn't the time to bring her dreams into fruition. Lieutenant Anabelle Grazhe… she would have done wonders for this city, as her father would have wanted. She is one of many countless souls who we have lost, and the truth is… in time, with the Swarm, we will lose more."
Omen filled his lungs. "So take care of those whom you love in this time of peace, rile your hearts and live knowing that we've been strong. That the very existence of us, despite the calamitous threats from the stars, had long been improbable. We survived because we've fought, and we will never stop fighting. For justice. For home. For eachother."
Every word from him came from the echoes of honesty, but deep within I could sense whispers of guilt and shame in dissonance with his words. My speech would likely be the same, I couldn't blame him.
But I couldn't call his methods, of working with Skeleton — to be what this city needed.
Omen continued his speech, going into detail about the various stages of the raid, half of it was lies — perhaps Yuzhou wanted him to keep certain details a secret, maybe Skeleton too, SynTec definitely cleaved some truth out. Then, he mentioned one more detail in passing.
"Yuzhou has eliminated it's bounty of 130 Million of the mercenary, Dreadwire. I can only hope he turns himself in, and fights for this city, but if he proves to only care for profit — we will bring him into justice."
So even Yuzhou was letting go of Ripley, had he done something for them? Or was it… Amaterasu's doing? I suffocated my thoughts, if he had any moment to… make things right — then now was the time. Neither the police nor the corporations would be after him.
And besides, Dreadwire was… regrettably popular with the populace. He had a flair, a dramatacism and had even proven to protect the citizens — even if it had just been to help me kill those MALs…
Was it just to help me?
I scrunched my pants, my thoughts unsure of which way to go. For so long, I'd been driven on hate and let it fuel my actions, then I began living on the hope everyone entrusted to me. I knew they weren't oppositional to each other, but after everything I'd been through I was just…
Burnt out.
People come and go in life, but forgive me for wanting them to… stay just a little longer. Sabrina, I didn't even know where to begin with her, she had brightened up my world, just as Ripley had, but both betrayed me for their own selfishness. Yet, to them, their selfishness came in the forms of protecting those close to them.
Sabrina, in her guilt to keep the legacy of her loving brother alive by saving her nephew even at the cost of her life.
And Ripley, to get the Implants he needed to save his mother.
I hated them for the things they did to me, but not for… the reasons of why they did it. I was coming to realize that now, but it didn't make what either of them did right… I couldn't find it in me to forgive them, not now… not for a long time.
But I could accept it. Their darkness.
And Starlight had made sure that Ripley would…
Omen finished his speech. "And now, there is one here who I hold great trust in to bring our city a bright future. I'm sure all of you know who I'm talking about, her contributions to the raid were innumerable, and she's been rightfully recognized for it. Special Investigator, if you will?"
Special Investigator, that was the title I was now affixed with — someone deemed extraordinary, and even among all other Special Investigators I would have an authority none of them would ever have. An audience burning to hear my words.
I stood up, approaching the dais calmly, my steps echoing towards the crowd as cloth shuffled along with their postures. Every step I took radiated out to their hearts, whispering to them as I adjusted the microphone and they took in my altered appearance. They'd be asking why I wore gloves now, they'd be curious about what happened to my left eye, whether Silvereye had changed after becoming a Special Investigator.
In their hearts, I was not Diana Jones or Ulrich, I was-
Silvereye
And I would gladly accept that identity, but these words projecting to my eyes? They read like me, whoever I was before the extermination raid. But I'd changed since then, and I was still too stubborn to wholly accept doing things my father's way. So I'd steal from his speech, and add my own identity to it.
"I lost two friends in the raid." I started quietly. "I lost mentors, I lost people who I… wished I had more time to know, who I regret not understanding sooner. And that's just to me, to others… they lost their daughters, their mothers and sons, their fathers… siblings, lovers. I can't count how many of us are grieving at this moment, hurt…"
I took a deep breath. "The raid on Muramasa wasn't just a fight. It was a reminder of the very real war within this city — one that extends beyond just crime and corruption; but with the hate, apathy and despair that have cultivated inside our walls from decades of struggle. Of the cyclical nature of pain, of that fear that this city has ruined us — that we can only care about ourselves."
My silver eye took in the emotions etched in their faces, like last time there was a fear, and exhaustion, and a knowledge that they'd hear the same thing. To fight. To fight on endlessly. To continue struggling. To continue being the ones in pain while others feed on the struggle we endure, when they're the ones manufacturing it for profits.
I didn't come here to say that today.
The bleak truth, was that there was no end to this struggle, to this darkness. To the number of cruel who would prey on you in your weakness, heartless and cruel. Humanity was inseparable from evil and good, it created heroes and villains alike — devils and saints were a coinflip in the hands of fate and desperation.And I would be both to save this city from itself.
Ripley
I paced the floor of my clinic's basement, nerves tightening all through me — even through Goliath. Every inch of my body were those nanomachines was reactive, with a thought I could alter my heartbeat, monitor my digestion, clear out alcohol… but it couldn't calm me down.
Nothing could, because I wasn't ready to meet Starlight. I wanted to make things right between us, to thank her and be the person she deserved to have. Without her, I would be dead. Without her… I wouldn't want to be better.
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It was strange how I wanted to change for others, but not for myself. But maybe that wasn't so bad, it was reason enough to believe that I wasn't as much of a bastard as Diana had thought I was. Groaning through my throat, I took a cursory glance over at Elsa. She was strapped in a chair as chords dug out from the back of her skull into the network of this place — where she was bound to the countless homeless 'dogs' she'd once used as a surveillance network.
Now, she was undoing the control she had over them, removing the Dogwhistler echoes from their Implants before I got to rehabilitating their Shardware and sealing over any issues they'd have with their Implants. Maiden always had to remove them… I didn't. Not with Overwrite.
Seeing the proof of us wanting to change, to make up for our mistakes, it gave me the courage to execute the Fishhook program. The ping went out for Starlight, it would be her call if she wanted to answer.
She spilled into mind in seconds, her pink radiance fluttering in my vision as she appeared in her childlike form and smiled at me. I went to touch her, but she swatted my hand away as she began tinkering with my net access.
"Starlight, I just wanted to-" I was interrupted as she shushed me.
"I know, I know. I'm in your head, dummy. We can talk things later." She smirked, as a screen pulled up in front of my eyes and she settled onto my knee to watch it. "Sorry! But I really wanted to watch this! As soon as it's done, you can tell me everything!"
I sighed, a bit dumbfounded at her insistence, but that confusion quickly cleared away as I glanced at the broadcast she was watching. Diana was addressing the camera, and I held back my toiling guilt as I saw how different she looked now.
She wore an eyepatch, her hands were gloved, and there was an aged pain breathing on her skin, yet her words came out precisely and reverberating with a sense of duty. "The raid on Muramasa wasn't just a fight. It was a reminder of the very real war within this city — one that extends beyond just crime and corruption; but with the hate, apathy and despair that have cultivated inside our walls from decades of struggle. Of the cyclical nature of pain, of that fear that this city has ruined us — that we can only care about ourselves."
Her gaze settled into the camera, as though confiding in everyone watching. "Our fear has led this city into an ignorant struggle where we believe the only course of justice is to commit to such a mass conflict. Forgive me, but I find it most important to remind everyone that there is a massive alien invasion coming to our doorstep in about three years. Two MALtitans, of which, are likely to attack us."
Her bluntness came abruptly, I saw some reporters squirming in their chairs.
"And, let me tell you what will come if we continue to waste our resources on endeavors such as this." She grabbed the microphone, her eye blazing as static made her silver hair float behind her. "This city will not stand for as long as we fear each other, when the time comes and the MAL attack… all we are is blood and steel to them. Our past, our crimes, our heroic aspirations — none of it will matter when we're assaulted by those unfeeling predators of humanity."
She swept her gaze around the hall, as though daring them to look at her. To look at the truth. "And I know that it's scary, I know how fearsome the MAL are. Not many have personally killed the creature that gifted your Implants, but I'm well aware of their true forms. This power reminds me every day of what I've lost — and what I've gained. I know what it's like to live in fear, to be consumed by anger, to wonder if the fight is even worth it."
Crackles of light erupted by her fingertips as she raised her hand high. "But I also know what it's like to see a glimmer of hope, a spark of something greater. This desire isn't mine alone. It belongs to all of us — this city, its people, and its scars! And with it, I promise to burn away the illusions that keep us shackled, the false beliefs that we can survive divided, that we can only thrive by tearing each other apart.Her body levitated into the air, dragging everyone's eyes up to the arcs of lightning coursing through her. "But understand this: I will not tolerate those who continue to harm, to scheme, to profit off our fears. The MAL are coming, and they will not wait for us to sort our grievances. So, I issue an ultimatum."
"If you are unwilling to join in the fight for survival—you will find no ally in Silvereye.
"But for those of you who are ready, for those who dare to hope for a better future, I promise this: I will fight for you. I will lead you. I will use every ounce of this power to carve a path forward, one that sees us stand strong when the MALs come."
Her unrelenting gaze softened, but the sheer tension of resolve in her voice remained unbroken. "You are not alone. Not anymore. But you must choose to stand with me."
Her hand fell, the sparks subsiding as she remained floating. "When the MAL come, they will see a city united, not divided. They will see people who have embraced their fears, their flaws, and their strengths. And they will see that we are not prey — we are survivors. We have struggled. And we will endure."
She slowly descended back onto the stage, a beat of silence running as everyone absorbed her words before she leaned back to the microphone. "I'm not asking for perfection, I'm asking for resolve. This isn't a choice the people can afford to run from. Not anymore. Whether you take one step at a time, whether you crawl with your hands and knees, or drag yourself by the teeth — let it be on the path towards salvation. A path I intend to pave for everyone, damned or not."
She took a deep breath, her eyes burning into the camera lens once more as I felt her stare directly at me. "That goes for you too, Dreadwire."
———
SilvereyeRagged breaths tore into me as the speech drifted across the many reporters and police staff gathered around me, none of what I said went against my father's script — if anything, I added to it. They wanted me to promise the city a future, for them to put their trust into me, that we would continue fighting. And yes, we had no choice but to fight.
But we could fight smarter, better, and not let ourselves be blinded by the pain we'd suffered. Tapping the microphone, I had one more thing to add from the script I'd been given.
"I'm sure you've all been made aware of the red-eyed menace, those that had conspired with Muramasa to attack our backline, and had last month unleashed the MAL among our people. For this threat, to that entity which seeks to use those aliens against us, I have been assigned direct duties in apprehending and eliminating their operations…"
Then I smirked, taking a glance behind me at the watching Executive Investigator Royce Keagan, I wanted my father seeing this declaration.
"…I will carry out this duty, as Corporal Diana 'Silvereye' Ulrich."
If I was going to go along for the nepotism ride, then why not take it all the way. He said I could be a Special Investigator if I just asked for it, but I wasn't in asking mood, not even for my next curse upon Brian Ulrich.
"And to aid me in this, NeoCore has pledged the service of their Enforcer: Alisha Noori, better known as Archangel." I smiled. "I look forward to this partnership, for the greater future of this city."Noticing a gap where I stopped talking, some reporters hurriedly jousted their questions into the air.
"Silvereye. Some critics argue that the police's actions in the raid were overly aggressive — and led to Muramasa causing such catastrophic damage. How do you respond to those accusations?"
"There are rumors that the Muramasa gang had ties to powerful corporate interests. Can you confirm or deny this?"
"You've faced MAL creatures personally. Can you give us insight into their nature and why they pose such a grave threat?"
"Do you believe New California has the resources or leadership to survive the next Swarm? If not, what's missing?"
"Silvereye, Dreadwire's involvement in the Muramasa raid has been widely speculated on. Can you clarify his role?"
I put my hands up to stop them, taking in their questions as a script automatically formed in my eyes.
"Exact details of the raid I believe are better discussed with the Lieutenant, I believe we did what was necessary regarding the severity of their actions. As for any findings we have uncovered, trust that all will become known to the public in due time once it is verified. The MAL, however, as you know I was there during the Gold MALignant eruption, and uncovered Simon Jugosla's illegal trafficking of them. They are unfeeling creatures with no drive other than to kill humanity, for New California to be ready for them… we have what is necessary around us. The people. For us to survive, we have to rely on each other, and unite against the enemy we have been dreading for so long."
"Corporal Ulrich, do you know who Dreadwire is?"
"Silvereye, you and Dreadwire were seen leaving the scene of a MAL attack together months ago. Can you explain what happened that day?"
"There's growing public support for Dreadwire to be recognized as a vigilante despite his criminal actions. Where do you stand on that debate?"
Taking a deep breath, I wasn't sure if I wanted Ripley watching this or not despite my earlier comments. "Dreadwire's identity remains unknown to me, but he has proven himself a capable ally in times of need. Without him…"
My thoughts got lost for a moment, emotions clawing their way past my facade.
"Without him, I doubt my unit in the raid would have been able to carry out its duties. He played important reconnaissance and recovery roles for us. While I am aware that Yuzhou has taken off their bounty for him for his aid in our operation, the fact remains that should he resort to further actions against the city's wellness — I will personally see that he receives justice. I can only hope that his unforeseen aid to me that day of the MAL attack in this city will continue, without the burden of further transgressions."
"Corporal! Some fans believe you and Dreadwire share a personal connection! Any comment?" One reporter from a tabloid agency pushed forward, and more and more were coming.
"Is there any truth to the speculation that Dreadwire might be a secret ally of yours? Or even something more?"
"Dreadwire's popularity among certain circles has skyrocketed since the raid. Do you think the public fascination with him is warranted, or is it misplaced?"
Why was I the damned Dreadwire expert?I sighed, ready to make this the last bout of questions.
"There is no connection between me and Dreadwire beyond the two meetings we have had, coincidence bound by a common goal." And this was where the script in my eyes was telling me feed into their fascination between my supposed relationship with Dreadwire. I digressed. "If we will ever work again the future, it will be as nothing more than soldiers striving for this city. He is not someone I intend to form any personal relationship with."
I'd lied a lot today, but that one… it was maybe the first time I felt stung by it. Ripley, for all the pain he caused me, was someone I was ready to create a better world with…
…together.
RipleyAs Diana left the stage and Omen came back on, I turned the broadcast off, feeling heavier because of it. Something in the way Diana said it, I knew she was ready to burn off all bridges with me, to forget about me as long as I stayed hidden. Maybe it was for the better.
Starlight crept under my slouching body, poking my chin. "I'm sure you two can get along again!"
"Star, I… I don't know if we should. I hurt her, I hurt you… all those wounds she has, they came from me." I put my hand under Starlight's feet, but it was me who felt anchored as she sat down. "But I want to be better."
"I know. You always have…" She smiled, that dumb kind of smile which painted emotion over your steel, frigid heart. "I'm your daughter, I was literally made from the good parts of your mind."
"You were made…" My smile struggled to stay true. "Starlight, you were made from my memory of a person who… I loved. Who was always there for me, someone who I should mourned and grieved and continued to love, but I couldn't let myself feel that pain."
"I… I think I know who you're talking about. Those dreams you had with her, they're beautiful."
"I don't know if it makes things right, but you're the closest thing I'll ever have to… keep her memory alive. I want to give you the life, the joy, the dreams she never had…" I wiped dry eyes, hoping to feel something for Selene. Even with the recollection I had of her, it was only black-and-white…
But Starlight was every color I could and couldn't. "I… don't want to let you down again, I don't want to let Diana down again. Or my mom. Or… anyone."
"You won't. I'll keep you nice and honest from now on!" She declared, and I laughed.
"I'll try to make things easy for you." I leaned down…
And kissed her head. As I pulled away, I thought I would see her smiling, or laughing or making a joke as she usually did… instead, tears fell from her in silence.
Right, I thought I was the only one who could lie and put up an act in front of her. Just like Selene, Starlight smiled when she was sad. I held her close to me, a torrent of guilt tearing from my heart in the quiet noise of her sobs. She went through so much for me…
I was such a shitty father.
"I just… I want things to go back as they were." She sobbed quietly. "But I can't calculate a way to make it happen."
"I know Star, neither can I." I sighed. "But we will find a way…"
"One step at a time." She nodded against my heart. "I'll stay with you Dad, we'll figure it all out."
I rubbed the back of her head. "From Platinum…"
"From Platinum to Beyond." She affirmed.
We stayed close for the moment, before she drifted away from my chest to settle on my hand again. I thought of things to say, in the end I just wished I hadn't focused on the Muramasa raid so much. "I'm sorry, I know tomorrow's christmas, but I don't even have a gift planned for you."
"It's okay, Dad. I'm just glad to have you." She said softly, before a mischievous grin swam through the code making her face. "Or well… maybe you could turn of my profanity filters for a week. I'm two months old now."
"You know that's not very convincing, right?" I sighed. "But fine, for a week, you can swear to your filthy heart's content. No more frogs, or shirts."
"Fork yeah!" She pumped her hand up.
"Actually…" an idea came to me, "you've always been helping me with my projects, how about… from tomorrow, we begin working on something you want to do. Let's see what's in that brilliant little mind of yours."
She looked stunned by the idea, before she began pacing my hand in thought. "Ohhhh… I have some ideas."
"Nothing for combat." I clarified. "Keep your Kung-fu knowledge to the games."
"I have… fewer ideas." She rasped in annoyance.
"Great, keep thinking about them while… we work on one last project of mine." I said a bit nervously. "I think you know what."
Her smile turned thin and straight, and she gave a serious nod. "Time to put my biochemistry knowledge to good use."
And so, we settled upon the concoction ahead of us. A tiny little thing, a blend of regenerative Mutagen, spliced mutated DNA from Soul Killer's Revenant Serum, the last remaining samples of Topaz and Quartz's blood, and a few of my nanites to facilitate their process. Starlight was just as perplexed as I was about the new… mutated capabilities of mine, according to her, my body was exhibiting similar alterations as Diana's Synthetic Infusion Mutation but more…
Cellularly, compared to her macro adjustment of bonding inorganic material to her physiology as a whole. According to her, Diana's body was like an infective corruption over metal, her blood burning through the steel to agressively absorb the material while I was more of a sponge.And I couldn't bond to anything, my Mutation was more selective but… the bonding of inorganic and organic went deeper than it did compared to Diana. Her suit had sunk into her flesh, but she could still manifest it's technological capabilities through herself — none of it's functioning circuitry had been destroyed — whereas my cells were completely assimilating inorganic matter through them. Goliath wasn't just… a small robot anymore, it was my blood. Effectively, there was still a barrier between Diana's flesh and metal, two separate systems where anything disruptive would be digested by her, whereas for me… they fused into one.All that was to say, that my blood cells were tools that could reshape themselves, cellular scalpels in a sense. My head spun as I worked on a microscopic level through the vial… but with Starlight's help, they remained submissive.
"I'll try to figure out what this means… but…"
"Yeah, I know." For me to get an accurate reading of the Mutation, Diana's SIM had to analyze it first, and that would only be possible if Starlight synchronized us. "We don't need to be in a hurry to understand this… just… let's focus on Anthony, then my mother."
She gave me her understanding, but I knew there was a lingering hope inside of her hoping that she could convince Diana to… give me another chance. But if Silvereye ever wanted the help of Dreadwire again… it wouldn't be because of circumstances requiring it. I wanted it to be because she…
I wanted her to be proven right for the hope she set upon me.I wanted Starlight to be right.
And so, on-
December 25th
12:44 AM
-I made a visit to a hospital room and injected a man while he lay unconscious. Then, I placed something down on the table next to him, something I knew Diana would see, and understand the meaning off. Wordlessly, I exited the hospital as Elsa cleared all data of my entry.
Only once I was in a taxi did I whisper. "Merry Christmas, Diana."