CHAPTER I: The Malady

       “And when human lives are at risk of the malady they don’t know even know the cause,

            There exist shadows that will bring back hope in humanity. What are they? Who are they?’’

                                      

The Malady

A malady has been affecting humans. And to humans, this disease is difficult to explain. A cure has not been found and the only way to solve this problem is to take a stand. But who is brave enough to face this disease?

Amid the chaos, there seems to be no hope in the lives of humanity. Everyone is panicking. Parents are crying. Children’s health is getting worse every single day. Old people are waiting for their deaths.

There is no single scientist on Earth that can find a cure or simply a treatment. They have tried every single type of medicine. Scientists have tried steroids that can suppress the immune system. They also did some work on some strong antibiotics. They try to see if the malady affecting humans is from bacteria. But, it seems that the case is hopeless.

The Earth is a disaster. Every human being is trying to survive each day. Every family in each has a sick member. And what’s even worse? There are some families wherein all of them are just lying in their beds, waiting for death to visit them.

Humans have questioned the existence of their Gods and Goddesses. They think that these powerful Gods have abandoned them. They have stopped worshipping. And to humans, food is the most important thing on Earth.

The hunt for animals is everywhere. People have eaten different kinds of plants and animals. Because of that, the existence of these species seems to be a problem.

The Earth that seems to be a place of life and love is now a venue for deaths and war.

And when human lives are at risk of the malady they don't even know the cause, there exist shadows that will bring back hope in humanity. What are they? Who are they?

The Two Ex-Spaceship Workers

Without the knowledge of human beings, there are shadows from the atmosphere who are silently observing them. Their eyes are in pain. They know that the Earth needs them the most. And a voice is suddenly heard…

  ‘’ We have to solve it, Grace’’, said Sarah

And now the shadows are clear. These brave creatures are Sarah and Grace. But who are Sarah and Grace?

Sarah and Grace were ex-spaceships workers. They have lived their lives fighting and trying to survive against this hunting of humanity.

            ‘’We have to do something. We cannot just observe here from the atmosphere’’, whispered Sarah

Sarah has a well-shaped figure and a height shorter than a banana plant.  She has hair as black as coal. Her eyes are like the color of ocean waves you see during summer. She has a rough voice that seems to be angry when speaking. She stylishly wears her old spacesuit.

On the other hand, Grace is taller than Sarah. She has a brown complexion. She has fire-red hair that flows through her waist.  Her voice is as sweet as honey. Her eyes are as dark as the ink of a pen. And her voice is as sweet as the sound of a nightingale. She doesn't mind wearing her spacesuit. What is important to her is that these clothes must cover her body.

The two ex-spaceships did not let a single day pass without thinking of solutions. Because of their past experiences as ex-spaceship workers, they come up with different answers.

            ‘’How about asking for help to our scientist here in the atmosphere?’’, suggested Sarah

            ‘’That is a good idea but we need a better plan’’, answered Grace

Sarah and Grace are both busy finding solutions. They think that every second counts to save a single life on Earth.  And after an hour, the two both agreed to a decision.

            ‘’ Yes, it is’’, added Sarah

Sarah and Grace both agreed to a plan. They decided to kill all the humanoids using all the knowledge that they learn from their past work.

            ‘’If we kill all the humanoids, our problem will be solved’’, shouted Grace

            ‘’But what if, we got killed, instead of them?’’, cried Sarah

            ‘’Don’t worry, we are strong enough to face them’’, suggested Grace

            ‘’But being strong is not enough to face them. We are only two. There are plenty of humanoids out there’’, added Sarah

 Sarah and Grace remembered their first encounter with humanoids.

It was a tough battle. Sarah and Grace have underestimated the abilities of humanoids. They have done many types of research about these creatures. And they think that it is enough to beat them. But, it did not come as they expected.

The Humanoids

Humanoids are strong creatures. It is not a human being. But what is amazing is that it looks human. They have the strength equivalent to six people. Their existence is still unknown. And with that, their weakness is still a mystery.

Sarah and Grace knew that if they fight the humanoids without a concrete plan, they will fail. They still remember the wounds that the humanoids have inflicted on them.  Their bodies are filled with bruises.  Sarah touched the scar caused by their battle with the humanoids.

  "I don't want to feel the same pain again" yelled Sarah 

   "Okay. Let us change our plan" added Grace

  "Humanoids are no joke", cried Sarah

   "We need to outsmart them by thinking of a better plan", said Grace

Sarah and Grace are thinking of a better plan when suddenly they hear that someone is crying. The sound is familiar. It was a voice coming from the Earth.

  "What is that?", asked Grace

  " It was something like a voice of human coming from the Earth", replied Sarah

The two ex-spaceships workers looked down to the Earth. They are curious. They want to hear the words the human is trying to say.

A cry from a helpless mother

From Earth, a hopeless mother is crying. All of their family members are getting sick. And what is even worse is that they have no more food left on their table. She cried loudly and said some words.

"We are dying and still we do not see anything that could help us. I tried to be good despite these things that are happening in our lives. But, with the things that are happening to us, I think I will commit the crime of stealing. There are no foods on the table. And I cannot watch my family dying with hunger. If stealing is the only thing I can do to save my family, I will do it", cried the woman.

The two ex-spaceships workers stared at the woman. They are both in pain hearing the cries of the woman. They feel how hopeless this woman is. The woman even chooses to steal.

Then suddenly, Grace has come up with an idea.

            "How about we steal one of the humanoids' spaceships?", asked Grace

            " Are you sure about that?", whispered Sarah

Sarah did not like the idea of stealing the humanoids' spaceship. She thinks that it can be dangerous for them to get closer to these creatures. But to Grace, they must take a risk or else, they might lose many human lives.

   "Sarah, we need to take this risk to save many lives", pleaded Grace

   "It is hard to even steal a tiny gem from these humanoids, and you are planning to take their spaceship?", explained Sarah

Grace explained to Sarah that they will not instantly steal the humanoids' spaceship. They will first ask for help from the super genius scientist. They will request this scientist to study the malady that is containing the Earth. Grace also added that before they will get the spaceship, they will first study their enemies... the humanoids.

Sarah seemed to be convinced of the words uttered by Grace.

What does the disease look like?

It is almost morning on Earth. The disease has continued to spread. Every sick person has fluid-filled blisters on their legs. These blisters started to be tiny dots. Then, it grows as big as a cookie. They are red as the color of the blood. And when these sick people speak, their breaths are like the smell of a dead rat that is under the decomposition stage. These sick people experience a low-grade fever. They cannot also eat because their tongue is curled. Water is their only hope.

A Call to the Scientist

In the space, Sarah and Grace have decided to contact the scientist. Sarah tried first to send sound waves in the left direction but it failed. Sarah's energy is not enough for the sound waves to travel. So, it was Grace who successfully sent the message via sound and airwaves. The scientist sends a reply. It contains the possible cure for the malady to stop. But, there is still a problem. They need a place to finally make the medicines. A place wherein the humanoids cannot follow them.

So the two ex-spaceship workers resorted to the idea of stealing one of the humanoids' spaceships.

  " Now, I agree to your idea of stealing", remarked Sarah

Sarah and Grace both giggled. Suddenly, Grace received a piece of news sent to her through sound and airwaves. It is all about the suggested plan of the scientist.

The Plan and Strategies

Without the knowledge of Grace, she forgot to turn off her extraordinary mental abilities to communicate. So, the scientist heard their plan of stealing the humanoids' spaceship. The scientist is so concerned about their safety. So, he sent a message to Grace containing a plan and strategies.

   "Tell me the plan and the strategies that were sent to you", pleaded Sarah

Grace narrated that the humanoids cannot run fast. But they can walk fast. And because of their primordial civilization evolution, they can easily detect humans. The humans' only way to pass their extraordinary senses is to wait for the humanoids to fall asleep.

   " What? Do humanoids sleep? Am I hearing it right?", shouted Sarah

   "Yes, they do. The only difference is that they sleep with their eyes open. When their little eyes are slightly closed, it means that they are awake", explained Grace

  " So, what is our plan?", asked Sarah

Grace explained that the plan is to patiently observe the behavior of the humanoids. And their strategy is to steal the spaceship while the humanoids are sleeping.

 "I get it. But, I have a question", inquired Sarah

 "What is it?", responded Grace

 "Is the scientist going to be here to help us in our plan?", asked Sarah

 " No, the scientist is at the safe place. He is waiting for us. He cannot do the medicines alone. He also needs our help", answered Grace

The Observation

Sarah and Grace both observe the humanoids. They know that when one of them falls asleep, they will all sleep. They have an unexplainable connection. So, the two ex-spaceship workers have decided to take turns in the duty of observing these humanoids. Sarah is the first one to observe.

Sarah grew tired of the situation. It seems hopeless. They are not sleeping. They are still energetic and wide awake.

It is now Grace's turn to do her part of observing. She is determined that she can do the observation without getting weary and tired.

Grace is very confident in her ability. But after a few minutes, she also gives up.

The Late Message

Tiredness is painted in the faces of Grace and Sarah. They, too, are helpless. They do not know what to do anymore. Their plan and strategies do not seem to work. But, humanity needs their help.

Suddenly, Grace received sound waves containing a message. The scientist has forgotten to send the message. The message contains another piece of good news. It is about how to make humanoids fall asleep.

Humanoids have a taste for music. They like singing voices.

Sarah and Grace, we're happy after knowing the news. Grace is confident that she can make the humanoids sleep. She has a voice like a nightingale. So, the two ex-spaceships decided on a plan.

 "I will sing and you will observe if they fall asleep", commanded Grace

 " Sure. And when they fall asleep, it is easy for us to get their spaceship", responded Sarah

The Second Plan

The second plan is to give the humanoids a lullaby. Grace volunteered to be the one to sing since she has a golden voice. Sarah will be the one to observe the eyes of the humanoids if they are sleeping.

Grace started singing. She sings from the heart. Sarah observes the movement of the eyes of the humanoids. But, it seems that these humanoids are not disturbed. They do not even give attention to the sounds. Grace did not lose hope. She chooses another song.

After a while, Grace stops singing. She had sung 10 songs but the humanoids seemed undisturbed.

 "What shall we do?", asked Sarah

"Why don't you try singing?", suggested Grace

Sarah accepted the suggestion of Grace. She first thought of a song and readied herself to sing.

The Humanoids' Taste

The next attempt is that Sarah will try to sing. Sarah started singing and the humanoids started to feel disturbed. And suddenly, the humanoids fall asleep.

  " Do not stop singing", whispered Grace

Sarah did not stop singing as they both passed the sleeping humanoids. Sarah and Grace realized that they have walked a distance but there are still humanoids. The destination seems to be not clear. Sarah grew tired of singing. She suddenly stops.

Both of them run and find a safe spot to hide. Sarah is losing her voice. So, Grace decided to let her partner take a rest.

Grace entertained Sarah and jokingly told Sarah that humanoids have a weird taste for music.

They both laughed. But their laugh stops because they hear another cry from the Earth. Humanity is at stake.

The Motivation

Sarah and Grace looked at the Earth. They saw people losing their sanity as deaths have already flooded the streets. The disease continues to spread. The animals are getting into extinction since they are used as the food of the people. A child crying because she lost her parents. Parents weep because they lost all their children. People died not only because of the illness but also because of hunger.

The Earth that seemed to be a home for living things becomes a place for cries and tears.

Sarah and Grace become more determined to help save humanity. But, they need rest too.

They need rest to face the humanoids. They become more motivated seeing the situations of the Earth. They know that they are the only people who can save humanity. And that serves as the motivation of Sarah and Grace to continue their mission. Their mission of saving the Earth.