Matthew started off his morning in his usual uninteresting way. He had a stale bagel with margarine and a cup of coffee (at least, that's what it was supposed to be). He dressed himself in a white button-up shirt and black slacks. It would have been halfway dressy, if the clothes weren't covered in old patches and numerous small tears from repeated use. Beta stores weren't provided many new clothes, and the ones they had were ridiculously expensive. Matthew settled for buying from the used stock so he could save his money for more important purchases.

Matthew exited his apartment and walked down to the train station to head off to work. He had to work a bit harder to keep his facial expression even because of his excitement for the assignment he was given to carry out today. Even as he stood waiting for the train, being swarmed by the oncoming crowd of other Betas who also worked for the Information Departments, he was scheming; plotting out how he would slip off to the Omega Quarters without drawing suspicion to himself.

Matthew habitually flashed his ID to the Reaper at the train door before getting on board. His demeanor betrayed nothing to the guard. If he was right and the Insurgency leaders finally [i]did[/i] have a plan to share, he wouldn't need to worry about the secretive security force for much longer. No one would. Soon, they would all be free. He had to stifle the corners of his mouth as they threatened to reveal his hidden smile.

Just a little longer.

With that thought in mind, Matthew found his work for the Golden State far less tedious. He felt less guilt as he stamped his approval on manuscripts full of deceit, and even offered a coworker a friendly smile when their eyes accidentally met across the room. It was a dangerous move, and the other Beta raised his eyebrows in shock, his eyes darting to the nearest Reaper to see if she had noticed. The rest of the day went by in a flash, and he was almost surprised to hear the thundering buzz signaling the end of his shift. It was 16:00. Matthew's heart sped up.

[i]This is it.[/i]

By now, Matthew had his plan all figured out. He walked down to the train station, as per usual, and boarded with the other Betas. However when it got to his stop, he didn't get off. One of the Reapers gave him a questioning look, but Matthew was prepared. He had thought up a valid excuse for his actions that would quell their skepticism as long as he didn't dawdle in Omega territory. The Reaper approached him.

[b]"What do you think you're doing?"[/b]

"I have an urgent assignment from Alpha Linville," Matthew replied coolly, meeting the Reaper's steady gaze. Under normal circumstances he would never do such a thing, but he had to make the guard believe him.

[b]"What assignment?"[/b] the Reaper's tone held unrestrained cynicism.

"There was a printing error in the New Information Department," Matthew didn't miss a beat. "A manuscript slipped through screening and ten copies got out before we noticed. According to our shipment records they ended up at an Omega shop, and Alpha Linville assigned the duty to me to collect them."

The Reaper studied Matthew cautiously. It wasn't a likely excuse, but it was believable. Such accidents had occurred in the past. After a moment, the Reaper nodded and gave the Omega conductor a signal to move along. Matthew let out his breath in a long exhale of relief. He had managed to carry out the first part of his plan. Now he just had to hope the Reapers didn't try to contact Linville to verify the printing error.

Luckily it appeared they didn't. The train rolled to a stop in the Omega station, and Matthew got off. The Reapers informed him that the next train would come by at 19:00, and they would be waiting for him on it. What they didn't say was that they would find and kill him if he was late, but Matthew already knew that. He looked around the station. It was eerily quiet. Very few Omegas had permission to board a train, so the tracks only ran this far because of occasional upper caste business. He glanced at his watch. 16:30. He had two-and-a-half hours to find this Omega proprietor, convince him or her to join the Insurgency, and get back to the station.

[i]Let's hope this guy is reasonable.[/i]