Unmarked

Part XI

This whole thing is crazy; there's just no way this is real. "You guys do realize this is the pinnacle of conspiracy theories, right?"

Daneel shook her head, "I wish I could say that I don't believe it, but it makes a lot of sense if you think about the time frame. World War II had ended eight years before the Charming. All of my childhood, the whole world was obsessed with keeping war from breaking out again; there were just too many casualties and too many countries were left picking up the pieces. The Charming happened in 1953. One of the biggest effects of the war was a board of international ambassadors that was formed after the war to try and maintain peace and cooperation. That was the start of the United Nations, but I found out later, working for the doctor's office, that there was a scientific branch of the UN that was devoted to "enhancing the biological and instinctual foundation of mankind." What if that scientific branch is BEAU?" Everybody else looked excited about all of this stuff, but I was just confused.

Asher sighed, "But why would an organization dedicated to peace create a way to find your soulmate?"

I was still stuck on trying to figure out how old Daneel actually was. Corin replied, "What if it was an accident? What if those scientists were trying to genetically lower a person's aggression level or something and accidentally create a way to find the love of your life?"

Asher, ever the pessimist, argued, "But Blazes are genetic, and even if that was how it went, how did it spread in such a short time? What good would it do for world peace?"

Daneel butted in, "Maybe they aren't genetic. Maybe it's an injection of some kind."

Asher didn't look convinced, "So you're telling me that my fifth grade science teacher and most of the internet lied to me about the science of Blazes?"

Corin nodded, "If the United Nations is running the Blaze operation, it wouldn't surprise me if it was a law to teach people it was genetic. Fewer questions would be asked and less lawsuits would be filed."

Asher huffed, but she seemed pretty convinced. "If this is true, why would countries that are not part of the UN follow that law and where would everyone in the world get a Blaze injection?"

I was still pretty perplexed, but as a thought popped into my head, I decided to voice it. "What if the Blazes injections were given to you when you are a baby? The government could make it a mandate to give all newborn babies the Blaze injection. Almost everyone has their kids in a public hospital."

Everyone in the room stared at me. Finally, Asher spoke, "Dang, Malone, you've actually said something smart for once." I punched her in arm while Corin snickered. Asher thinks she's funny, but she really isn't.

Corin frowned, "That doesn't explain why countries that are not part of the UN have Blazes, though."

Asher spoke up. (With some helpful information this time.) "Maybe not, but we do need to have something to figure out later. Think about it, guys, I bet the actual science of why the Blaze shows up on your fifteenth birthday and why it vibrates is really complicated, but that's all it is, it's science. Something in our bodies just didn't react the way it was supposed to and the Blaze injection didn't work. It's not that we aren't compatible with other people, the injection just isn't compatible with our systems." If I had to pick a greatest moment in my life, that would make my list. You just don't know how good it feels to know you're not a heartless and hateable person. I just have a chemical imbalance. Hey, it's the lesser of two evils.

With huge sighs of relief, we turned to Daneel, "Do you think that could be an actual explanation?"

She nods, "That's way better than what any of my coworkers can come up with. With the exception of a few things that you couldn't possibly figure out without a higher clearance than mine, your theory is very solid."

We chatted and there were smiles and cookies all around. (Daneel is a very good baker.) When it was time to go, the excellent baker in question stood up and hugged each one of us, "You girls be safe out there, and the next time you need anything, don't break in, just knock." She gave us a bag of cookies, and after hearing where we were staying, some spare blankets, too. Daneel waved as we walked into her backyard and hopped her fence. (Which went way better the second time.) I think I even saw her wipe some tears away. Maybe I did, too; I don't remember. We hurried back to the Beauty and took a three hour nap with our new blankets.