Throughout the city planet of Coruscant, holo screens in small restaurants and on massive skyscrapers plays the same show, a talk show just after the evening news.

Five young women, all human, sit across from the interviewer, a Togruta man with a sickeningly charismatic personality.

"We're back here, talking with the up-and-coming sensation, Wonderstar," he says to the camera excitedly, flashing the same million credit smile he had been utilizing for years on his show. The scene cuts to a wide shot of the five women, each in their matching uniform: tailored white jackets and shorts. Each girl smiles and offers a friendly wave to the camera before it's back to the host. "Fresh off a new single, Mind Over Martyrdom, which has taken Coruscant by storm, skyrocketing up the charts... Well," he chuckles, "You've got to be feeling pretty good about that, no?"

"It's wonderful, Maros, truly wonderful," one of the singers, a brunette on the left, responds. "To put as much passion and effort as we do to our music, seeing it resonate with audiences so much is truly indescribable," she finishes with a smile. The other girls giggle in agreement, just as rehearsed.

"Thank you, Reien," Maros smiles back. "Now, Zena," he says, turning to the blonde girl sitting on the far right. "You've only just joined Wonderstar, and this is your first recording with the group." Zena perks up and nods back as Maros speaks. "Do you feel like you've found where you belong now?"

Zena is ready for the question, of course. That was the agreement. Scripted questions and rehearsed answers, just as the contract dictated. It is better this way, for the ratings. Ratings for the talk show, ratings for the network, ratings for Wonderstar, and ratings for Pan-Galactic Talent, the management company that kept everything running smoothly.

"Everyone in Wonderstar has been so welcoming and supportive," Zena responds. The other four girls, and even Maros, respond with affection, whether they clasp their hands together lovingly or give an audible "aww" to Zena's words. "I was worried, of course, being new. But there was instant chemistry between us all that I think really shines through on Mind Over Martyrdom. I look forward to working with these girls for years to come and bringing Wonderstar to new heights with them."

"And I'm sure being back on Coruscant for your first concert with Wonderstar also helps with feeling at home, hmm?" Maros asks with a loveable smirk, as if he just uncovered a point of vulnerability in Zena that would help fans relate to her. All according to plan, of course.

"Yes, I was born and raised on Coruscant. I got to watch other groups make it big, just like Wonderstar is doing right now. Being able to perform in front of my friends and family is a dream come true."

"How sweet," Maros concludes the segment with Zena. He then turns to the girl sitting in the middle of the group. "Maira, one final question for you, as a founding member and the current leader of Wonderstar. We've heard reports that Wonderstar will be going on a tour of the Western Reaches shortly, performing to raise awareness for our troops fighting the good fight out there. Do you have anything you wish to say to the servicemembers who eagerly await your visit?"

The camera cuts in to a close shot of the girl in the center. A good thing, too, as Zena's smile fractures for just a split second as her eyes dart over toward the center, but she has ample time to recover as Maira gives her answer.

"We here from Wonderstar just want to say: keep fighting for what's right, and keep smiling while you do it. The times may seem tough, but it's for the greater good. We're cheering for you, just as we hope you're cheering for us," she says with childlike enthusiam and a dazzling smile.

"Thank you so much, Maira and Wonderstar," Maros says, raising his voice and leading the audience to clap with him. The sound of applause elevated from speakers throughout the studio as the Wonderstar women looked around, smiling and waving past the cameras to the blank walls behind them.

Maros performs his outro to the show, and the cameras shut off. An Iridonian man with a head full of short horns walks onto the set. "Perfect, Maros, perfect. And great work to you all as well," he says, flourishing an arm out toward Wonderstar, the wide sleeves of his ornate suit trailing inches behind.

The girls get up off the couches and begin heading toward the backstage dressing room, thanking their manager for his kind words as they pass him.

"Zena," he calls out as she passes. She stops and turns toward him. He approaches her, his voice dropping to a quiet whisper. "Mr. Lorcien would like a word with you in his office once you're changed."

Zena gives a curt nod, then continues back to join the others. Once she has changed into her regular work attire, what can only be described as a more comfortable form of her performance attire with white pants and a looser-fitting white shirt, she heads out of the studio and to one of the elevators at the end of the hall of Transmitter 7.

As the door closes, she looks at the buttons on the wall. Very rarely does she get to go up so many floors on the ship. She presses the button for 47, then stands at attention as the lift takes her to her destination.

Once there, Zena navigates the maze of offices and hallways, passing by busy executives who cast confused glances at the intruder to their workplace, but pay her no mind beyond that. Zena enters the room for Mr. Lorcien's office, and tells the secretary she's ready to talk with him. The young man presses a button on a data pad and the next door opens. He ushers Zena inside and tells her that Mr. Lorcien will be with her shortly.

She enters the sterile office, and the door slides shut behind her. The only furniture in the room is a large, sleek desk with a plush chair on one side, back to a wall-sized window, and a smaller, hard metal chair on the other end.

Zena takes her seat in the metal chair and sits quietly for a few minutes before the door to the office slides open once more. Mr. Lorcien, a human man with dark skin and a long, elegant flowing robe walks in. "Thank you for showing up so promptly, Fen," he says with a cool smile that perfectly masks his emotions.

"Zena," the girl responds with a practiced smile of her own, showing just enough friendliness to not be taken as talking back to a superior.

"Zena, of course," Mr. Lorcien says, taking his seat and pulling out a data pad. He scrolls through it, reading it to himself, for almost an entire minute in silence, before setting it back down on his desk. "Right, I wanted to talk to you about your allegations against Maira. Last week, you claimed to have overheard her..." He trails off, picking up the data pad once more. "Speaking ill of Wonderstar's new single and sharing some unfortunate opinions of the mission in the Western Reaches. Before we continue, is that all correct?"

"Yes, it is correct," Zena says, locking eyes with the Pan-Galactic Talent executive in charge of the entire music division.

He gives a concerned nod. "We looked into the claims ourselves and found quite a bit of evidence supporting your story." Once again, he sets the data pad down, and interlaces his fingers on top of the desk. "We take allegations such as these seriously, as I'm sure you're aware."

Zena nods.

"The timing is unfortunate, given the recent success of Mind Over Martyrdom." His eyes flick over to the data pad once more. "Top 10 this week, very admirable. However, we won't stand by idly given the facts we've uncovered." He smiles at Zena. "Pan-Galactic Talent thanks you for your service, Fen," he says warmly. "Zena. I look forward to seeing just how much you prosper with Wonderstar going forward."

"Thank you, Mr. Lorcien," Zena bows her head softly.

Mr. Lorcien leans back in his chair. "You're free to go, Zena." He dismisses her with a wave of his hand, picking up the data pad once more and returning to scrolling through it.

The next week, the five Wonderstar girls meet up in their practice studio on the 8th floor of Transmitter 7. Surprisingly, there are several people in business suits there as well. Zena can't help but smile, though she turns away from the others as she does so.

"Before we begin," one of the businessmen starts talking as the clock ticks over to the top of the hour. "Maira has an announcement she'd like to make."

Maira steps forward from the line with tears forming in her eyes. She turns around to face the other members of the group. "I'm stepping down as leader of Wonderstar," she says simply. The other four girls look at each other with questioning glances, Zena included as she plays the fool.

Another businessman steps forward to speak to Wonderstar. "Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, we believe this is the best step forward for Wonderstar in the current moment. Rest assured, Pan-Galactic Talent has everything under control, and we will make a statement regarding this shift to the press shortly. For now, continue giving your best effort, everyone. We'll report back with decisions regarding your hierarchy going forward next week. Until then, the choreographers have already been notified of the change and will teach you the new formation going forward. Any questions?"

Maira stands silently, crying to herself with her fists clenched. The other four members still look concerned, but no one speaks up.

"Thank you for your time," the man says. "Maira, please change out of your uniform and meet me in the hallway."

The group of businessmen and Maira make their way out of the room as the choreographers come in to take their place.