 What is the true cause of Earth’s “plague” and what is its purpose?
Within a year it was obvious to everyone that man was the only animal left on earth. The panic which had begun with the death of the animals was quieted somewhat by the fact that humans seemed immune to the pandemic. Then just one year ago, the first human became infected with the strange malady. Within six months, half of the world's population was gone. Before the plague the Bureau of Vital Statistics had been one of man's crowning achievements. Once a year the Bureau issued The Index, an exact accounting of Earth's four billion inhabitants. On these screens could be graphed the population of any and every part of the globe.
 The plague was facilitated by aliens, described as invisible, ovular beings. Their purpose is to move from planet to planet exterminating living systems.
 The plague was facilitated by aliens, described as invisible, ovular beings. Their purpose is to clear Earth of all life and start their own colony.  The plague’s true cause is never revealed. Just as Charles suspects at the time of his death, the fall of the human race is completely unreasonable and meaningless.  The plague was facilitated by aliens, described as invisible, ovular beings. Their purpose is to exterminate all of Earth’s life in order to start their own planetary garden.  The plague was facilitated by aliens, described as invisible, ovular beings. Their purpose is to move from planet to planet exterminating living systems.