For those of you who are wondering, yes… this is a reprint of the original story, this time I hopefully won't get a USB drive that skips and repeats parts over time due to the insane amount of data on the USB drive and isn't falling apart…. Anyway, let's start the reboot.
…
Halo: Project Vampire
Chapter one: What 150, 0000 Years Have Wrought
…
150,000 Years ago, (not an accurate estimate)
The iso-didact starred warily at the dark, human like being in the shadows of the room, given his reputation throughout the galaxy this was the only option they had on hand at the time. The 'subject', was tied down by massive metal shackles on his neck, arms, legs, and body that led into the circle around him as he had multiple forunner's pointing their guns at him. Ready to fire at the iso-didacts orders.
"We have judged you and found you guilty of usurping the Forerunner Empire, bane of eternal nights." The Iso-Didect said finally as he continued to glare at the…. 'Abomination', before him.
The being barely turned his eyes upwards, staring directly at the Iso-Didact and his associates behind him.
The so called Saviers of this damned galaxy…
If the Iso-Didact was nervous, he didn't show it as they stared in silence for a moment before his wife, the Librarian, finally spoke up.
"Do you have anything to say in your defense, monster, for all those who suffered under your rage?"
The man, if he could be called that, let out a loud snort mixed with a scoff.
"Hmmf."
"I did what needed to be done, to protect those I held dear, for the people you enslave, for the one I would have sacrificed everything for. That I still would sacrifice everything for."
The Librarian and Iso-Didact stiffened at the mention of "her" and narrowed their eyes at what he said. The guards shifted slightly, knowing what he meant.
"But you," he said, showing sharp, fang-like teeth as his chained shackles creaked.
His voice was dangerously low now.
"You, who claimed to love her."
The Iso-Didact felt a spark of hatred and a faint pang of sorrow inside him at that accusation.
"Murdered her. All because of your own petty desire for control and power over that which you cannot control!" He was shouting now, his ice-cold stare with glowing red eyes making the Forerunner guards shiver around him.
"And we have heard enough!" the Librarian shouted as she finally snapped.
"You murdered her, you fool!" the Librarian shouted, showing her tusks. "Your actions led directly to her death through a love that should never have been!"
"How many nightmares have you created? How many have fallen to your will because of your rebellion among the races, only to return as abominations of your choosing and creation?"
The human-like being in the shadows gave a death glare now as she continued.
"I refused to let the one dearest to us have a union with a monster such as you, that would spell catastrophe on the universe and all its races with no end in sight!"
At this, the Iso-Didact spoke up, noticing that he was influencing his wife, enraging her.
"That being said, the judgment is final." Now that we've found your fathers relic, we can finally rid the universe of your evils."
"And the prison is prepared for you. With luck, you will never awaken from it."
At this, they backed up, turning away as the platform lowered into a black monolith with red veins of a crystal-like mineral that was complete with arcane markings that were never, 'Human', in origin.
For a moment, the subject struggled, then… as the chains sunk into it, holding him in place he shot one final glare at the Iso-Didact,
"…. When I get out of here…. I'm coming for you first!" he spat at the Didact. Which the Iso-Didact just ignored, "Farewell, Bane of the Eternal Night…." ," the Iso-Didact said while looking into the chasm below before it shut with a slam. After this, the monolith was lowered into a crypt made of the same material, which began to be buried by Forerunner constructs in the ravine.
"We should have killed that wicked fiend," the Librarian finally said to her husband after a moment, shivering as she remembered the bodies of the dead that littered the worlds he walked on and corrupted in his rebellion, and how many attempts it took them to finally bring the monster down.
"If only we could," was his simple reply, shaking his head while looking deep in thought. "But you should know by now we cannot. No, all we can do is contain him with the remnants of his father's relics that came from the void."
The Librarian insisted, "We should have kept looking for a way to destroy him. Leaving him locked up bears the risk of him eventually escaping should something go wrong."
Even though she knew it was pointless, her husband's stern gaze met hers for a moment before he reminded her of the Shield World incident.
"Remember the Shield World incident?" he said, his voice heavy with the weight of the past.
She shivered, recalling how the monster had killed a quarter of the Forerunner fleet in a single instance. "Don't remind me," she murmured, her voice trembling. "I can still feel that monstrosity's presence."
They stood there in silence, both plagued by the nagging feeling that this decision would eventually come back to haunt them—both literally and metaphorically.
And should that happen…, they all should start praying.
…
/
Around 150,000 Years Later…
Planet Unknown, on the Outskirts of Controlled Systems (Edge of the Galaxy)
Location: Secret ONI Facility/Dig Operation, some time before the Didact's attack on New Phoenix
/
Dr. Jacobs' P.O.V.
Dr. Jacobs, the lead scientist of this dig, was meticulously examining a peculiar artifact through the nano-reactive window that looked into the space below. The discovery was unprecedented, a result of sheer coincidence when deep-space miners, employed by ONI, were drilling and accidentally hit the side of an ancient structure. The word "landed" was inaccurate; the drill that mined asteroids shattered upon impact and stalled, uncovering what lay beneath.
The miners, initially believing they had encountered just another rocky obstruction, quickly realized the anomaly. The structure was unlike anything they had ever seen, and they knew they had to call in their superior. Scrambling to communicate the find, the lead miner, Sam, grabbed his comm device, his hands shaking with a mixture of excitement and apprehension.
…
Miner's P.O.V.
"Boss, you need to get down here, and fast," Sam's voice crackled over the comm. He was trying to keep his composure, but the urgency in his tone was unmistakable. "We hit something... something big."
There was a pause on the other end before the calm but curious voice of their boss, John, responded. "What do you mean, something big? Another asteroid?"
"No, boss. This is... different. You have to see it to believe it. We might have uncovered an ancient structure," Sam explained, glancing back at the exposed section of the chamber they had revealed. "It looks... man-made, or at least, not naturally occurring. We need Dr. Jacobs to take a look."
"I'm on my way," John replied, ending the transmission.
…
Dr. Jacobs' P.O.V.
By the time John arrived with Dr. Jacobs in tow, a small crowd of miners had gathered around the entrance of the newly discovered chamber. The atmosphere was electric, filled with hushed whispers and speculative conversations about the nature of their find.
Dr. Jacobs stepped forward, his eyes widening behind his glasses as he took in the sight. The structure was a perfect geometric shape, a rectangular sarcophagus large enough to hold a full-grown man. Its surface was covered in ancient carvings and symbols that were eerily humanoid, depicting figures in demented, agonizing poses. These carvings seemed to lean over the object, their expressions frozen in eternal torment.
"What do you make of it, Doc?" John asked, breaking the scientist's reverie.
"It's extraordinary," Dr. Jacobs murmured, his voice filled with curiosity.
"This isn't Forerunner, at least not any Forerunner design I'm familiar with. And these carvings... they tell a story of suffering and containment."
He moved closer, observing the massive chains that held the sarcophagus in place, extending into the walls in every direction. The material of the artifact was unlike anything he had seen, a mineral-like solid interlaced with glowing red crystal veins that seemed to pulse with an inner light.
"We need to study this immediately," Dr. Jacobs decided. "Set up a secure perimeter. This area is now classified. No one gets in or out without my say-so."
The miners exchanged glances, their curiosity piqued even further. As they began to secure the site, Dr. Jacobs continued his examination, noting the unsettling details. The inscriptions, partially translated, mentioned a "Bane of the Eternal Night" and a key referred to as the "Currency of the Soul."
"What does it mean?" John asked, his brow furrowed in confusion.
"I don't know yet," Dr. Jacobs admitted. "But whatever this is, it was meant to be contained. We need to proceed with extreme caution."
…
Back to Dr. Jacobs' P.O.V.
As the team worked to set up their equipment, Dr. Jacobs couldn't shake the feeling of unease that settled over him. The structure was ancient, far older than anything they had encountered. The absence of nearby Forerunner constructs added to the mystery, suggesting that whatever civilization built this was advanced in ways they couldn't yet comprehend.
"Let's get a sample," he instructed, directing one of the researchers named Sam to approach the sarcophagus. Despite the eerie atmosphere, Sam dutifully followed orders, extending a tool to collect a sample of the strange black liquid that pooled beneath the structure.
As the tool made contact, the liquid abruptly stopped rippling. Suddenly, a large, spikey vein of the black substance shot towards Sam, narrowly missing him and causing him to lunge back in fear.
The room fell silent, the tension suddenly spiking.
Four ODST guards rushed in, weapons at the ready, pulling Sam back as he clutched his side, blood trickling from a small gash.
"Sir," one of the ODSTs named Jack called out warily, "the sarcophagus... it's coming loose!"
With a loud "CLANG," the sarcophagus fell onto the black liquid and ground beneath it. The chains rattled and fell, and the sarcophagus opened with a creak, releasing a cold mist into the room.
…
Dr. Jacobs' P.O.V.
Dr. Jacobs watched in stunned silence as a figure slowly emerged from the sarcophagus. Standing six-foot-four, the being wore black pants, boots, a belt, and a multi-layered trench coat. His black hair and icy blue eyes contrasted sharply with the ancient, alien surroundings.
The figure scanned the room, his gaze resting momentarily on each stunned face before him. He reached up, effortlessly breaking the metal collar around his neck and the restraints on his wrists.
"Humans," he finally said, his voice deep and unsettling, like he was talking to something not worth his breath. "Interesting."
Dr. Jacobs felt a chill run down his spine. One question lingered in his mind as he met the creature's gaze. "Just what have we awakened?"
…
Sam's P.O.V.
Down in the other room.
"I'm not getting paid enough for this," Sam thought as he eyed the black substance warily.
He didn't know what it was that made him so nervous around the thing, but he drew the short straw amongst his colleagues, so he didn't have a choice.
"Maybe it's the fact that this alien artifact has flipping hieroglyphs of what looks like torment written on the walls."
It made him wonder what the higher-ups were thinking, trying to pry into it without knowing what was behind it.
"They were probably looking for an edge over the Covenant remnants that still plagued the galaxy," he thought to himself.
He reached forward with a tool to scoop up some of the substance, but before he could, the very moment he touched it with the tool, he noticed something—it was no longer rippling.
The black liquid suddenly shot towards the young scientist in a large, spiky vein that whizzed past his body, barely missing him in the process.
At that moment, he lunged back, heaving in breaths with a bit of sweat on his forehead as the people up top scrambled to get some guards down there.
"Drip."
"What was that?" Sam thought to himself as four ODST guards entered the room behind him, ready to get him out and with assault rifles in hand, ready to cover each other if need be.
Another "drip" was heard as the ODST guards pulled him back.
Sam looked around for the source of the drips.
Suddenly, after pulling Sam back, one ODST opened up a med kit, examined something, and told him not to move.
Sam suddenly realized he felt a sharp pain on his left side through his suit.
He looked down to see a slight gash where it grazed him, with a few splatters of blood on the ground where they dragged him back.
And on the black spike that connected to the other end of the dark room on the edges.
It seemed to draw in the blood after a minute, moving like rivers towards the sarcophagus.
"…Umm, Sir…" One of the ODSTs named Jack said warily as he noticed the sarcophagus coming loose and falling onto the black liquid and ground beneath it with a loud "CLANG."
The room fell silent in that one instant.
Sam's heart raced as he watched the sarcophagus, the chains rattling and falling away. A cold mist began to seep out, filling the room with an eerie chill.
The sarcophagus creaked open, and a figure slowly emerged. Sam's breath caught in his throat as he saw the being—tall, with black pants, boots, a belt, and a multi-layered trench coat. The figure's black hair and icy blue eyes were a stark contrast to the ancient, alien surroundings.
The figure scanned the room, his gaze resting momentarily on each stunned face before him. He reached up, effortlessly breaking the metal collar around his neck and the restraints on his wrists.
"Humans," he finally said, his voice deep and unsettling. "Interesting."
Sam felt a chill run down his spine. One question lingered in his mind as he met the creature's gaze. "What have we awakened here?!"
Dr. Jacobs' P.O.V.
"...Umm, Sir..." an ODST said hesitantly.
Dr. Jacobs, startled, muttered, "Now what?" as he tried to collect himself. The scientists around him were understandably on edge, their nerves frayed by the bizarre events unfolding before them. The unsettling display they had just witnessed left them anxious and uncertain about what they were dealing with. Before he could gather his thoughts, a sudden, resonant "CLANG" echoed through the chamber.
Dr. Jacobs looked into the room to see the sarcophagus fall backwards, landing flat on its back. The impact made the room shake lightly, causing the chains that had secured the sarcophagus to come loose and fall to the ground with a loud, metallic clatter.
For a moment, no one spoke or moved as they stared at the sarcophagus lying there. Then, with a slow, eerie "Creeeek," the sarcophagus began to open. The front two pieces fell to the sides with an equally loud "SLAM," releasing a cold mist that poured out and enveloped the chamber.
A very human-looking hand, clad in black fingerless gloves, emerged from within and grabbed both sides of the sarcophagus. The figure slowly stood up, revealing himself to the stunned onlookers. The sound of creaking chains echoed through the room as he rose.
He stood six foot four inches tall, wearing black pants, sturdy boots, and a belt. Over his attire, he wore a two-layered trench coat that extended down the sides of his legs. The sleeves, starting from his broad shoulders, had two segments that curved into the opening of his collar and extended down to his wrists. Beneath the coat, he wore a vest composed of overlapping, dividing straps that ascended upwards until they reached the collar. The overall look was reminiscent of medieval trench-coat, but now quite.
His black hair, shaved down at the neck, framed a sharp nose and chin. But it was his eyes that captured Dr. Jacobs' attention—they were icy blue, filled with a mixture of curiosity and sadness. Yet, there was something deeper, a hidden intensity that made even Dr. Jacobs shiver.
The figure scanned their shocked expressions, his gaze moving up and down as if assessing each of them. He seemed uninterested in the barrels of the guns pointed at him. Tilting his head slightly, he appeared to note something.
Then, with both hands, he felt around the metal collar wrapped around his neck. The collar, still connected to the chains, had become slightly loose. With one swift motion, he tore the collar apart, the metal shattering into two pieces that dropped into the black liquid below.
"Humans… interesting," he finally said, his voice calm and composed. He ignored their bewildered expressions as he fidgeted with the metal restraints on his wrists. With a loud "CRAACK," he broke them as if they were made of brittle clay, seemingly impervious to harm from the thick, broken material.
Then he looked up towards the control room where the scientists stood.
"I assume you're in charge here," he said, his gaze fixed on Dr. Jacobs.
After a moment to collect himself, Dr. Jacobs slowly nodded, his eyes never leaving the figure. He had no clue about the creature's intentions or why it looked so human-like. One question still lingered in his mind, gnawing at his thoughts: "What exactly are we dealing with here?"
…
One Day Later after a Lengthy Trip
On the World Known as "New Phoenyx"
The landing pad was abuzz with activity. Rows of scientists stood behind the armed guards, their data pads ready, eager to take notes and measurements. The air was filled with anticipation and a touch of fear, as rumors about the strange being had already begun to circulate.
Whispers of the new alien spread like wildfire: some claimed he was the size of a Spartan II, others insisted he had four eyes, while a few spun tales so fantastical they bordered on the absurd, a mix of excitement and dread.
The soldiers and personnel of the base had been briefed the previous night. The information left them with more questions than answers, especially the Spartan IVs. They stood in neat columns, combat rifles in hand, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and wariness. They had been told very little about what they were about to encounter, only that it was unlike anything they had prepared for before.
…
Captain Lasky's P.O.V.
Captain Lasky, the commanding officer of the UNSC Infinity, stood at the forefront of the assembled group. The Infinity was the UNSC's largest and most advanced warship, a symbol of their might and technological prowess. The day before he was set to embark on a new mission, an emergency briefing had been called by the brass, disrupting his carefully laid plans.
Standing next to him was Spartan IV leader Sarah Palmer, clad in her distinctive Spartan IV armor, her presence a reassuring sight for the gathered soldiers and scientists. The briefing room was filled with a sense of urgency and importance, the kind that only came with matters of extreme significance.
An older man with grey hair and glasses, Dr. Victor, entered the room. Dressed in a grey ONI suit, he was the one assigned to deliver the briefing. As he walked to the center, the room fell silent, all eyes on him. Captain Lasky and Spartan Palmer straightened, their attention fully on the head scientist.
Dr. Victor cleared his throat. "I'll try to keep it brief, since it's such short notice," he began, capturing the room's attention immediately. "And I'll get straight to the point. Approximately a day ago, on the outer edge of controlled systems, a UNSC mining operation tunneled into bedrock and found… a room with a sarcophagus. And in the sarcophagus was an occupant."
The revelation sent a ripple of shock through the room. Sarah Palmer and Captain Lasky exchanged glances, their interest piqued.
"It's not Covenant or Forerunner in origin, though it's old. Very old," Dr. Victor continued. He paused, noting the questioning looks on the faces before him. "So, I will take a few questions if I can disclose the information."
A Spartan IV in the front row, Jackson, was the first to speak. "Exactly how old is it, sir? And you said they found an occupant inside?"
"Carbon dating of the sediment puts the crypt at 150,000 years, give or take a century or two," Dr. Victor explained. "In short, around the time of the Forerunner empire. And after a near accident, the occupant was freed."
The room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The gravity of Dr. Victor's words settled over them like a heavy shroud.
"Freed?" Jackson asked nervously, finally breaking the silence.
"Yes," Dr. Victor replied gravely. "And that's where we come in. The brass is moving the… subject… to this location to get answers."
He ignored the shocked expressions on the faces of Palmer, Lasky, and the others. "That's right, people. We will initiate first contact protocols. Rest up. You'll need it."
Back on the Landing Pad
The air was thick with anticipation as the craft carrying the mysterious occupant descended. The scientists fidgeted with their data pads, the guards tightened their grips on their weapons, and the Spartan IVs stood ready. The craft's doors slowly opened, revealing the shadowy figure within.
As he stepped out, the rumors seemed almost laughable in their inadequacy. The being stood tall, imposing, and undeniably real. The scientists began their frantic note-taking, capturing every detail, while the guards kept their weapons trained on him, ready for any sign of hostility.
Captain Lasky and Spartan Palmer moved to the forefront, their eyes fixed on the being. They had been chosen to lead this first contact, to navigate the uncertainties and potential dangers it posed. As the figure's icy blue eyes scanned the crowd, Lasky couldn't shake the feeling that there was something dangerous about this guy, even if he didn't know what it was…
"Welcome to New Phoenyx," Lasky said, stepping forward to greet the alien. "I'm Captain Lasky. This is Spartan Palmer. We're here to facilitate your integration and understand your purpose."
The being's gaze shifted to Lasky, and for a moment, there was a silence so profound it seemed to stretch into eternity.
…
Palmer's, Lasky's, and Dr. Victor's P.O.V.
Palmer clutched her assault rifle close to her chest, mirroring the Spartans under her command as she eyed the Pelican transport. Deep down, she felt a twinge of nervousness, though she would never admit it. This was a critical moment—one that could make or break relations between races. She hoped fervently that she wouldn't have to use her weapon today. She was a soldier, not a diplomat, and she loathed dealing with politicians.
As the Pelican touched down and the cargo door opened, the air was thick with a mix of excitement and unease. The mood was almost tangible, a blend of curiosity and fear.
"Here we go," Palmer thought as she saw the ODST troops form two columns, exiting the door's shadow.
Out stepped a six-foot, four-inch figure clad in black, with equally black boots, gloves, and a trench coat/vest with the collar pointed upwards. His black, spiky hair and slightly pale complexion added to his intimidating presence. He was flanked by two ODSTs.
Palmer's eyes widened slightly. Was this the "subject" everyone was talking about? He seemed to scan the assembled group with little interest, then walked forward, grimacing at the sunlight overhead but otherwise complying.
She noticed two things immediately. First, he seemed agitated by the sunlight for some reason. Second, she could have sworn his eyes shifted to crimson when he endured the sunlight before returning to an icy blue.
"It's just the glare of the sun," she told herself, resisting the urge to rub her eyes. "Just a trick of the light…."
"A human?" someone behind her murmured.
"This has to be a joke," someone else replied.
"Why, what's the point? Why the show if that's the case?" another person murmured back.
As he moved, Palmer noticed something else—there was something unnatural about the way he walked. Humans were prone to mistakes, would wobble a bit as they moved. He, however, moved like a ghost. He came to a stop in front of her, Captain Lasky, and Dr. Victor. Dr. Victor extended his hand in greeting for a handshake.
"I think greetings are in order. Welcome to New Phoenix. I'm Dr. Victor."
After looking at the hand for a moment, the man awkwardly reached forward and shook it. "Adam," he replied, giving his name for the sake of politeness.
Dr. Victor kept his smile for appearances, but for a moment, his composure faltered as he shook Adam's colder hand which he couldn't feel any pulse in, which wasn't lost on Palmer or Lasky.
One question was on everyone's mind: "How does he know how to speak English?"
"…I'm not a fan of the sunlight; it's far too bright for my taste," the man said finally, making the three raise their eyebrows. His voice was very deep and fair, which made Palmer eye the individual with more scrutiny. "Something's off about that voice," she thought to herself. It bordered on being a bit too refined, mixed with caution in equal measure.
"So, may we continue this inside? Out of the glare of the sun?" he asked in a polite tone, making everyone stare at him, It makes me uncomfortable."
…
Adam's P.O.V.
Adam sat in the chair of the observation room, noting the cameras in the corners. He could smell their uneasiness as soon as they landed on the pad. He could see it in their eyes, smell it in their blood.
"Humans…," he muttered quietly in his head. Obviously, that traitorous meat sack, the Librarian, thought of everything. But these were not the same humans he had heard about before his imprisonment. No, they were too primitive, even if they had managed to harness space travel. Probably descendants of clones, he thought with some disgust.
Adam sat in the chair, seemingly uninterested in what would happen next. It didn't matter to him; he just wanted to get it over with so he could focus on what to do next. He tapped his finger on the metal table with a "tap, tap, tap."
Every instinct told him to keep his guard up, to find something to feed on to quell the unfillable void within him after being trapped so long in that hole. But he did not. Instead, he waited patiently. He owed these primitives that much. And then there was the fact that he woke up in a new galaxy controlled by these said primitives, with no idea what to do next.
He didn't like being so on edge.
He tapped the table again with a "tap, tap, tap."
His mind shifted to what he saw through the blood of the one who was hurt in freeing him. He was about to chuckle when he remembered their shocked expressions on the landing pad when he spoke perfect English. Not that he could blame them; he was, after all, a monster in the flesh. He snapped to attention when Spartan IV leader Palmer and Dr. Victor walked into the room.
"What is a man… but a pile of cowering secrets?" he thought to himself with some amusement when he smelled the excitement on Dr. Victor.
The "girl," however, he sensed was on edge. "Good," he thought, "keep that guard up. It'll keep you alert with every passing hour."
Dr. Victor smiled as he sat down at the other end of the table. "First off, I believe thanks are in order for complying when you had a chance to run."
Spartan Palmer stood in the corner of the room, her eyes fixed suspiciously on Adam, her grip on her assault rifle unwavering.
Adam merely stared back with his icy blue eyes, unmoved by the scientist's gratitude. "It wouldn't have served me any purpose to flee like a coward at everything new that pops up. Besides, I assume you have questions," he said, waving his hand dismissively and resting the other on the table.
Dr. Victor cleared his throat. "Yes. First off, I have to ask, why do you look so human?"
Adam chuckled, the sound surprising both Dr. Victor and Palmer. "I can assure you; I am anything but human. Sure, yes, I may look similar, but that's where the similarities end with you primitives."
"Primitives?" Palmer interjected, not liking his tone.
"Yes, child," he replied, making her frown.
"What am I, twelve?" Palmer thought but kept her mouth shut to avoid causing a first-contact incident.
"This form I'm wearing is just a corporeal shell that I bend to my will so I can blend in and not scare the locals," Adam explained as if it were trivial.
"What do you really look like?" Dr. Victor asked, now with more caution in his voice.
"You would find it, how should I put it... rather frightening," Adam responded, noticing Palmer's uneasiness as she grew more on edge. "Not that I bear you any ill will, I just would rather not frighten you unnecessarily."
It took a moment for Dr. Victor to wrap his head around that. "How did you end up in the crypt that you were found in?" he asked.
The tension in the air was razor-thin. Both noticed a notable change in Adam's demeanor as he gripped the corners of the metal table, struggling to keep his visible anger in check. "Betrayal, serpents in the grass who lured me in, found my weakness, and forced me to watch as they... they..." He muttered through clenched teeth, his unusually pronounced canines glinting as he seethed in fury at the memory of what happened in the end to, "her."
A screeching noise filled the room as Adam's gloved hands extended into large, inch-long, black, curved talons, which scratched and crumpled the stainless steel corners of the table like tin foil.
Dr. Victor stood up and backed away, while Palmer gripped her pistol, her expression shocked and alert. The room was filled with a sense of dread.
After taking a breath, Adam relaxed, his talons retracting into normal fingernails. He sat back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest. "I apologize, that was uncalled for."
"I'll answer one more question if you're still up to it," Adam said to the doctor.
"What are you exactly?" Dr. Victor asked, his voice tinged with a hint of fear after witnessing the display.
Adam thought for a moment before responding, "I believe the most accurate term ancient beings would call me would be 'bane of eternal nights,' or more commonly put, a... nosferatu."
The word hung in the air, heavy and foreboding. Dr. Victor and Palmer froze, their minds racing. Nosferatu? Like... a vampire?
The implications of Adam's words settled over them like a dark cloud, and the room fell into a stunned silence.
Dr. Victor and Palmer exchanged glances, their faces pale with shock. Dr. Victor cleared his throat, struggling to maintain his composure. "Thank you, Adam. If you don't mind, Palmer and I need to discuss some matters with our colleagues for a moment."
Adam merely nodded, his expression unreadable as he watched them leave the room.
…
In the Hallway
Dr. Victor and Palmer stepped out into the hallway, the door closing behind them with a soft hiss. The scientists and soldiers outside had heard every word and were now abuzz with whispered conversations and anxious glances.
Dr. Victor gathered the lead scientists and key personnel into a small huddle, their faces reflecting the same mixture of disbelief and fear that he felt. "Alright, everyone," he began, his voice hushed but urgent. "You all heard what Adam said. We need to find a logical explanation for this... 'Nosferatu' claim."
Palmer, still gripping her rifle tightly, nodded. "There's no way this can be real, right? Vampires are myths, stories to scare children."
Dr. Jenkins, a xenobiologist, spoke up, his brow furrowed. "But what we saw... those talons, his eyes. It's unlike any species we've encountered. What if he's using the term 'Nosferatu' metaphorically? Perhaps his kind inspired the vampire myths."
Dr. Victor rubbed his temples, trying to process the information. "Even if that's the case, it doesn't explain how he knows English, or how he has such precise control over his form. We need to run more tests, gather more data."
Dr. Anders, a physicist, chimed in. "Could he be some sort of shape-shifter? An advanced alien species capable of manipulating their biology at will?"
"That might explain his appearance and abilities," Palmer agreed, "but it doesn't account for the aggression, the history he hinted at. If he's been imprisoned for 150,000 years, how has he survived?"
Dr. Victor sighed, the weight of the situation pressing down on him. "We need to approach this carefully. If he truly is as dangerous as he seems, we must ensure he remains contained. But we also need to learn from him, understand what he is and how he functions."
A tense silence fell over the group as they considered the implications. The challenge before them was unprecedented, and the stakes were higher than any of them had anticipated.
Palmer broke the silence. "We have to keep our guard up. Inform all personnel to stay on high alert. We can't afford any mistakes."
Dr. Victor nodded. "Agreed. We'll proceed with extreme caution. For now, let's regroup and figure out our next steps. Keep everything under wraps; we don't want to cause a panic."
As they prepared to return to the observation room, the tension in the air was putting everyone on edge. They were dealing with an enigma wrapped in a mystery, and the potential dangers loomed large. The only certainty was that their lives—and the UNSC was about to suffer a massive upheaval depending on their choices moving forward.
But the lingering feeling remained, that they may be out of their depth here.