“My shift ended at 16:00, sir. I’m working on an extra assignment given to me by Alpha Linville. There was a printing error in the New Information Department, and he gave me the job of collecting the misprinted copies. I’m to be back at the train station by 19:00, so if you’ll kindly excuse me,” explained the Beta.

Jacob was unsure if the man was telling the truth, but if he was, he figured it would be best to let him fix the issue. He didn’t need an Alpha on his case while he was training to be a Reaper.

“You are dismissed,” Jacob responded.

The man nodded respectfully and went his own way. Jacob watched him disappear into a bar, and he began to wonder what prints went to a [i]bar[/i]. Omegas were busy distracting themselves with alcohol from the problems their lives posed, not reading at a bar. Then again, the pages the man spoke of could have been propaganda, but the State wasn’t worried about the Omegas. Propaganda or not, intensive security or not, the Omegas were the Omegas—a lame bunch of people who could barely keep their lives together. They posed no threat to the State, and therefore propaganda wasn’t as common in the Omega districts as it was in the Beta districts. Maybe the man [i]was[/i] lying. But the databases would give Jacob his answer.

[i]Rule 34, Section IV: The database is a tool given to all ranks of Reapers. In the case of your rank, Epsilon, you will have access to basic information about citizens, work shifts and hours, and a list of recent permissions. Use of this information for personal gain is strictly prohibited. The databases will be used to help protect the State from traitors and traitors solely.[/i]

"[b]And a list of recent permissions.[/b]"

If the man was telling the truth, Jacob would be able to verify his claims on the database. Jacob had a newfound sense of urgency in his weakened body.