The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

THERE were exactly 12 Film Studio planets around the Empire.  It might not sound that much in comparison to the size of the Empire, but considering how many multiple movies could be filmed in one, those numbers were quite enough.

These planets were simply named on the initial FS and the number of order on which it was made.  For example, the Film Studio Astrid and the others were going to FS01.  It meant that this was the very first Film Studio ever made. 

Most artificially made planets were named by initials to distinguish it from natural planets.  And most of the time, the initials used were based on what kind of planet it was. 

After the checkpoint, they traveled in a public aircraft with a specific route from the capital to FS01 and vice versa.  Just like what Mr. Rogers said, it only took them 15 minutes to reach their destination. 

The moment they arrived at FS01’s space port, almost all the people’s eyes were immediately drawn to them.  Well, not exactly ‘them’ but on Astrid.  A lot of whispering followed them.

“Who is that?  Is he an actor?”

“I don’t know.  But he’s definitely an actor.  Just look at that face.  It would be such a shame if he’s not.”

“Maybe he’s a newcomer that’s why we don’t recognize him.”

“It’s such a shame that we can’t take a picture of him.”

Because there’s a technology built in every Filming Studio planet that interrupts the signal coming from a Terminal’s camera.  It’s a way to protect the privacy of the artist arriving and leaving the space port.  Also, this way, it could also help those productions that didn’t want to reveal yet the people acting in them.

“This is my first time seeing someone with both black hair and eyes.  I didn’t know it would look amazing.”

“Why do I feel like I’ve seen him somewhere?”

  “You’re right.  Maybe he appeared on some movie or series before?”

“If that’s the case, then he would have already made a buzz long before this.  Especially with that appearance.”

“True.  Maybe he’s really just a newcomer.”

“Ah, I remember!  He’s the one that trended four days ago!”

“I know!  I also saw that one!  Why is he here?  Is he going to film something?”

“I knew it!  That trending topic was probably just someone hyping him up.  Just how could a nobody trended like that?”

“Duh, because he’s beautiful.  Anybody with that look would have trended!”

Of course, Astrid and his party heard everything that people were saying.

Astrid was fine, he didn’t mind all the talk.  He’d been used to it anyway.  Reas, on the other hand, was irritated.  Especially after hearing some people trash talking his brother.  Since, he could hear perfectly where those voices were coming from, he glared in those directions.

Mark happened to see this.  He was worried at first that these comments might affect him.  It would be bad if his mentality collapsed right before the audition.  But no, he was as cool as a cucumber.  Which was a good trait for someone who wanted to enter the entertainment industry should have.

The one who was affected was his brother.  Even he felt scared by that glare.  Mark was definitely glad that he wasn’t the recipient of that glare.

At the arrival area, someone called his name.

“Mr. Rogers!”

Mark looked at the direction where that familiar voice came from and saw his assistant.  He was excitingly running towards them. 

“You’re finally here!  Director Trevane has been nagging me about—” the assistant suddenly stopped. 

His gaze was stuck on a certain spot.  No, it was stuck on the black-haired teenager that was standing behind his boss.  When the teenager smiled at him, he felt like an arrow just struck his heart.  How could someone be so beautiful?

Mark saw the expression on his assistant’s face and immediately knew what he was thinking.  He quickly snapped his fingers in front of him to get his attention.  If the other stared a minute more, Astrid’s brother might just punch him here.  And with his assistant’s skinny build, he might faint straight away.

“Stop staring.  It’s rude,” he scolded.

The assistant quickly came to his senses and blushed hard.  “I- I’m sorry.”

But he still glanced at the teenager.  He had seen that clip of the teenager that trended four days ago, so he knew that he was the person his boss found to play the role of ‘god’ in the movie.  He was surprised the first time he saw that clip.  But he thought that he would definitely not be as pretty in person.  Because that’s always the case.  But seeing him now, that was definitely not it.

Working in this industry, this was probably the first time he had ever been speechless by someone’s appearance.  He felt like, right at this moment, he was looking at a star. 

If this teenager managed to pass Director Trevane’s audition, then his boss just might have just discovered a treasure.

“Just lead us to the car,” Mark said.

“Yes!”

The assistant led them outside towards the flying car he drove there.

Their destination was at the set of [The Sleeping God].  It’s located at the Northern area of the planet where all the fantasy sets were located.

It took them about an hour to arrive at their destination.  Which was a bit ironic.  Considering it only took them 15 minutes from the capital to here.

Astrid looked outside the window.  He could see a lot of ‘sets’ outside.  If he could even call it that.  Because everything he was looking at right now was not like the fake sets in his past life.  A movie probably didn’t need any green screen for a CG background when one had this real backgrounds.   

He could see a literal castle, a forest, even a village.  No wonder they had to make a whole planet just for a filming studio.

The car slowly descended and parked.  Everyone walked down the car.

“Are you ready?” Mark asked the teenager.

Astrid smiled.  “Yes.”

And then he took his first step towards his goal of being the top star of this era.