The Number One Star in the Interstellar Era

Chapter 760: BACK AT FS08

UPON arriving at FS08, Astrid and Ellis went directly to the film set for Blind Justice. Today marked the first day of filming for Astrid’s role in the movie. While his character was pivotal to the overall story, his total screen time was only about fifteen minutes. Therefore, as long as the filming proceeded smoothly with no major issues, he could expect to complete his part within a week.

As soon as they stepped onto the set, Director Evans was there to greet them. He walked over with a warm, welcoming smile, clearly pleased that they had arrived.

"Ellis, Astrid, welcome!" Director Evans said, his voice warm and energetic as he shook their hands. "It is so good to see you both again. And Astrid, thank you so much for agreeing to take on this role with such short notice."

Astrid smiled. "There is no need to thank me. I truly like the character of Noa, and I’m happy to play him again and give his story a proper conclusion."

Director Evans looked very pleased to hear that. When he first decided to make this movie, he knew he wanted to include Noa’s character because he was so important to Remi’s story. But he also knew that Astrid was becoming very popular and was likely very busy. He was not confident the actor would be available. Because of this, he actually prepared two different scripts, one with Noa and one without. He was very relieved when he contacted Ellis and learned that Astrid had just finished his last movie. He did not hesitate and immediately asked if Astrid would be willing to play Noa again.

He was thrilled to receive the good news the very next day. And now, here they all were.

"Would you like to rest for today?" Director Evans asked kindly. "We can always start the filming tomorrow if you prefer."

"No, thank you for asking," Astrid replied in a polite but firm tone. "I would prefer to begin now."

Director Evans nodded in agreement. "Jordan is already here, so we can start with the scene where Remi and Noa meet again."

Astrid had no problem with that plan. He then went through the process of getting his hair styled and his makeup applied, transforming into his character, Noa, for the first scene.

***

Remi’s eyelids fluttered open. He was in a sterile, windowless room with gray walls and a single bright light overhead. The space was unmistakably an interrogation room. He was seated on a cold, metal chair, and his wrists were securely handcuffed to its solid arms. A plain, rectangular table was positioned directly in front of him.

A deep sense of confusion settled in his mind. His last clear memory was of standing in the target’s lavish living room. Then he felt a sharp prick on the back of his neck. A sudden dizziness washed over him, and his vision faded to black as he lost consciousness. Waking up here, restrained and disoriented, was a complete shock.

Remi took a slow, deep breath, pushing the confusion aside. He focused on his surroundings. He tested the handcuffs, feeling their solid grip on his wrists. He noted the single door, the lack of windows, and the position of the table. His mind quickly shifting into a state of cold, analytical assessment.

His methodical assessment came to an abrupt halt when the door opened. The person who walked in made his brain freeze. He even stopped breathing for several long seconds.

The man who entered was dressed in a perfectly fitted black suit that accentuated his slender frame. His hair was jet black and slicked back neatly from his forehead. A pair of dark, calculating eyes locked onto Remi, studying him with a quiet, intense assessment.

The man started speaking, but Remi did not register the words. His attention was completely captured by the person in front of him.

It was Noa.

They had met again six months ago after being separated for fifteen years. Then, Noa had disappeared once more. Remi had tried to find him, using all his considerable skill with digital systems and information networks. Despite his best efforts, he found nothing. It was frustrating. Every potential lead went cold, as if something or someone was systematically preventing him from getting any closer.

But now Noa was here, standing right in front of him.

Remi’s first instinct was to stand up, to go to him, to pull him into his arms. But the sharp, metallic rattle of the handcuffs against the chair stopped him short. The sound brought him back to his senses, and he remembered exactly where he was and his current situation.

"Please don’t stand up," Noa said as he sat down in the chair on the other side of the table. "You could hurt your wrists."

Taking in Noa’s calm composure, his precise movements, and the sterile interrogation room, the pieces fell together in Remi’s mind. "Are you the one who brought me here?"

"Not exactly. The people who brought you and your friends are working for me though," Noa said in a light tone, as if he was only talking about the weather.

The mention of his friends made Remi remember that Hunter, and Callie had been with him. Seeing Noa had made him forget all about them. He cursed inside his own head. Then, he forced himself to focus and process what Noa had just told him.

"Why did you bring us here?" he asked first.

He still could not fully grasp the situation. He did not understand how Noa could be here, or if he could even believe his claim that his people had captured them. But one thing became evident to Remi. Noa knew where Hunter and Callie were, and he knew the reason they had all been taken.

Noa did not answer his question. Instead, he opened his Terminal and listed every crime Remi, and his friends had committed while working as Themis. With each offense Noa stated, Remi felt a painful twist in his chest. Because the man speaking sounded nothing like the Noa he remembered.

When he finished, Noa smiled. "You have certainly lived a very... colorful life."