When Weber leisurely drove back to the institute's main gate, the other patrol cars had already returned. Seeing Weber's vehicle approach, a group of officers immediately surrounded it.
The moment he stepped out, several middle-aged officers angrily grabbed his arms, twisted them behind his back, and forcefully pinned him against the police car.
"Speak! Where did you take the escaped child?" Will's booming voice rang out with fury.
Weber neither showed surprise nor attempted to defend himself. His gaze swept over the surrounding officers, their faces filled with anger, and his eyes reflected only disappointment and disdain. "I just took him where he belongs."
Will strode forward, grabbing Weber by the collar. His thick, muscular arm lifted Weber off the ground, leaving only his toes barely touching the surface. "This is where he belongs! He's the property of GARMR&D Company!"
Weber's face flushed red with rising anger. "He's a human being! A child! As members of the Garrison, we failed to save him. Was it wrong for him to want to escape?"
"I don't care if he escapes, but not now! After my shift, he can do whatever he wants! Now tell me, where did you take him?"
Hearing this, Weber scanned the officers again. Seeing no trace of compassion in their eyes—only the fury of financial loss—he scoffed and turned his head away, refusing to speak.
Will's rage flared. "Fine! You want to play the hero, huh? Then let's make you one!" He slammed Weber onto the ground, a vicious grin spreading across his face. "Let's give our hero the full 'Package.' Can't be a hero without experiencing this, right?"
Weber scrambled to his feet, tense and sweating, adopting a defensive stance.
Will jerked his chin, and two officers moved in.
Though nervous, Weber wasn't afraid. He stepped forward to meet them.
1 vs. 2.
But the fight was one-sided. The out-of-shape officers were no match for Weber, who quickly took one down.
However, another officer, who had been watching from the sidelines, suddenly kicked Weber in the lower back.
Caught off guard, Weber stumbled forward. The officer in front seized the chance, driving his shoulder into Weber's chest.
Weber crossed his arms to block the impact but couldn't stop the momentum, staggering backward.
Others took the opportunity to strike from behind.
Eventually, Weber was overwhelmed and knocked to the ground. The older officers, most aggrieved by the losses, mercilessly kicked him, aiming for vital areas.
Weber curled into a ball, shielding his head with his arms and tucking his legs to protect his groin and abdomen.
Will grew increasingly impatient as he watched Weber endure the beating without uttering a sound.
At that moment, a gray-haired senior officer approached: "Chief Will, that kid wouldn't last a day penniless on the Satellite. If he sought help, someone would immediately report him to us. Since Weber saved him, he must have given him his phone for survival."
Will's face lit up as he shouted: "Search him! Check if the phone's still on him!"
The officers beating Weber frisked him thoroughly, soon reporting: "Nothing!"
Will was delighted: "Good work! Track Weber's phone now, hurry!"
Hearing this, Weber struggled violently to rise from the ground, roaring: "Have you no humanity? Targeting a child like this!"
The surrounding officers smirked coldly. One swept Weber's legs, knocking him down again as others resumed their merciless assault.
"Found it! In the Comprehensive Commercial District!"
"Move out! We must retrieve that kid!"
...
The encircling officers scattered instantly as police cars wailed their sirens and sped away.
Weber staggered to his feet, limping desperately toward the guardhouse.
As he grabbed the desk phone, the guard rushed over and pinned his hand down.
"Sorry... just trying to survive..."
...
Half an hour earlier, while Weber was returning:
After shaking Weber off by winding through alleys, Zhou Tianming emerged onto the main road.
His appearance drew stares - filthy clothes, bloodstained chest, and clutching an iron rod.
Zhou immediately sprinted forward, executing a series of flawless front flips. Landing the final somersault, he struck a triumphant pose with arms raised.
The crowd erupted in amazed murmurs.
"Must be performance makeup!"
"That blood looks so real - like he was actually shot!"
"Would've believed he was injured without seeing those moves!"
...
Though some still eyed Zhou suspiciously, most dismissed his odd appearance.
The acrobatics aggravated his chest wound terribly, but Zhou showed no pain, marveling inwardly at this body's capabilities - far more agile than his previous life's.
Seizing the moment, Zhou pitched his voice childishly: "Big brothers and sisters~ Could you tell me where to buy clothes?"
"Ha! Little guy, you got money?" the crowd teased.
Zhou nodded cutely with exaggerated emphasis.
"Want me to take you?" A voluptuous woman bent to pat his head.
He dodged, stepping back sternly: "A man's head isn't for touching."
The woman straightened, laughing delightedly: "Alright alright, won't touch our little man's head."
Still smiling, she pointed ahead: "Turn left up front - there's a children's shop."
"Thank you, sister~"
Flushed, the woman cooed: "Oh, you're adorable!" spreading her arms for a hug.
Zhou sidestepped nimbly, vanishing into the crowd.
Soon, they arrived at the children's clothing store. Zhou Tianming picked out a black hooded tracksuit for ease of movement and asked the shopkeeper to dispose of the tattered Rabbit Doll Costume.
While making the payment with his phone, it suddenly occurred to him that phones in his previous life had automatic GPS tracking—there was no way a high-tech world like Gundam SEED wouldn't have that feature.
So, to be safe, Zhou Tianming bought a fully functional black phone at a nearby store.
He couldn't get a SIM card due to real-name registration requirements, but the entire Satellite had free, full-coverage Wi-Fi, so it wouldn't be an issue as long as he didn't leave the Satellite.
As he walked, he explored the phone's functions, snapping a photo of Weber's payment QR code and inputting both Weber's and Zhou Hanxiang's phone numbers.
Then, in the built-in app store, he found an application with call-forwarding capabilities.
Using the app, he dialed Zhou Hanxiang's number. At the same moment, Weber's phone screen lit up, showing an incoming call—the forwarding feature worked fine.
Beep—beep—beep—
A full minute passed, but Zhou Hanxiang didn't answer.
Frowning, Zhou Tianming hung up. He had no idea what was happening on her end, though he vaguely sensed she wasn't in any immediate danger.
But gut feelings were unreliable, so he left her a voicemail: I'll call again in 10 minutes. Reply as soon as you get this.
He deliberately avoided mentioning his location or his intention to return, just in case someone from the research institute got hold of the phone and used it to set a trap.
Suddenly, a savory aroma drifted by.
Having only consumed a bag of glucose hours ago, followed by intense battles, Zhou Tianming hadn't paid much attention to his hunger—until now. The scent made his mouth water, and his stomach growled loudly.
Rubbing his belly, he glanced at a nearby restaurant.
After some thought, he decided the situation was stable enough. Zhou Hanxiang hadn't responded, the Garrison wouldn't be a problem as long as Weber didn't expose him, and there was still no sign of the research institute's people.
Decision made—time to eat!
Wiping his drool, Zhou Tianming entered the restaurant and ordered a Package with a generous serving of meat.
When paying, he used the QR code he'd photographed earlier with his own phone, which drew the cashier's attention.
But since Weber's phone was in his possession—unlocked and with the payment password working—the cashier didn't press further.
The food arrived quickly, its aroma wafting up. After years without tasting anything, it smelled especially delicious.
Shoveling spoonfuls into his mouth, Zhou Tianming ate like a starved beast.
In under five minutes, he'd devoured a large meal meant for an adult man.
Letting out a satisfied sigh, he left the restaurant.
He wandered into a narrow alley, twisting and turning until he reached a secluded corner piled with broken crates and trash.
Tucking Weber's phone into a gap between the crates and garbage, he rearranged the surrounding boxes to conceal it.
After dusting off his hands, Zhou Tianming nodded in approval and walked away.