Halo: Project Vampire Chapter 5, a halo fanfic

Halo: Project Vampire

Chapter 5: Crash Landing, and Mind Games

…

One day after the interrogation with Dr. Halsey…

As the Infinity flew through space, Roland's voice echoed through the bridge, breaking the silence. "Captain, we've received new orders from ONI. We're to head to the Epsilon Eridani system for a reconnaissance mission."

Captain Del Rio nodded; his eyes distant. "Understood, Roland. Plot a course and engage slipspace when ready."

As Roland worked, Commander Palmer and Lasky exchanged a glance. Something was different about their captain. His posture was rigid, and he constantly looked over his shoulder, as if haunted by unseen specters.

The usual hum of reports and charts Roland picked something up on his forward scans… it was a distress call.

"Captain," Roland's voice interrupted again. "We're picking up a distress call."

Lasky frowned. "A distress call? From where?"

Roland hesitated before replying. "It's from the Forward Unto Dawn. That's the ship Master Chief was on when it was pulled into slipspace."

The bridge fell silent, everyone processing the gravity of the news. The master chief hasn't been seen since the destruction of the ark, that was four years ago.

Adam's icy blue eyes flickered to the viewscreen, taking in the sight of the shield world below. A low, rumbling growl emanated from him, causing everyone to tense up further.

"After we land, I need to check something," Adam said, his voice calm yet filled with an ominous undertone. "Brace for impact."

The crew moved with urgency, securing their stations and preparing for the landing. However, as the ship began its descent, the turbulence intensified, and the vessel shook violently. The Infinity was being pulled into the shield world's gravity, the force overwhelming their attempts to break free.

"Captain, we're being pulled in! We can't break free from the gravitational pull!" Roland shouted out.

"Increase power to the engines!" Del Rio ordered, "We need to get out of this!"

The engines roared as they pushed to their limits, but it was no use. The shield world's gravity was too strong, pulling them inexorably towards the surface.

The shield world's vast landscape loomed larger on the screen, its intricate patterns and structures hinting at ancient and powerful technology. As the Infinity broke through the atmosphere, the ground rushed up to meet them, and the crew braced themselves for the jarring impact. Then there was silence…

…

By the time that Lasky, Del Rio, and the others managed to pick themselves up from the crash, and collected their barring, Adam was still standing there obviously not raddled by this crash landing. His gaze remained fixed on the screen, his expression unreadable. "I'd advise you prepare a landing team," he said, his voice cutting through the noise. "There's something here I need to see."

Del Rio, still shaken by Adam's sudden appearance, nodded. "Palmer, you're with Adam. Gather a team and prepare to move out."

As the crew scrambled to follow orders, Adam turned and strode off the bridge, his movements fluid and purposeful. Palmer and Lasky exchanged a wary glance before following him, a sense of foreboding settling over them. Something had Adam riled up, and not in a good way.

The hangar was a hive of activity as the team prepared to head out. The sound of equipment being loaded and last-minute checks being made filled the air. Adam stood eerily still, his eyes fixed on the massive hangar door, his posture tense and his expression focused.

Palmer stood next to Spartans Haley, David, Phillip, and Christa. She exchanged a glance with them, noting the tension in their eyes as well. It was obvious that Adam was on edge, and it was making everyone uneasy.

Taking a deep breath, Palmer cautiously approached Adam. "Adam...?" she began, her voice careful. "Ever since we've stumbled upon this world, you've been fixated on something. Mind sharing?"

Adam turned his head slightly, not looking back but acknowledging her presence. "I could feel something up on the bridge when I focused on this world," he said simply. "You can call it, in comparison to, a gut feeling. I can't say for sure, but there's someone here that I'm just itching to meet again... the Didact."

The name sent a shiver down Palmer's spine, and she could see the same reaction ripple through the other Spartans. The Didact was someone that had a long tumultuous history with Adam if his stories were anything to go by. And if he was down here and tried to provoke Adam, then that would be a bloodbath.

Adam continued, his voice low and calm. "I cant say for sure, but my guts are never wrong. If he is here... then we'll have a good long talk."

The Spartans exchanged uneasy glances, the weight of Adam's words settling over them like a heavy blanket. They had faced many threats in their time, but the Didact was a different kind of danger altogether if what Adam shared about him was anything to go by.

Palmer nodded slowly, trying to steady her nerves. "Alright, let's move out," she said, her voice clear, "Stay sharp, everyone. We don't know what we're walking into."

The massive hangar doors of the Infinity creaked and groaned as they began to open, revealing the harsh landscape of the shield world. A rush of air swept into the hangar, carrying with it the scent of alien flora and the distant sound of fauna. The Spartan team, led by Adam, moved out in formation, their weapons at the ready.

…

An hour later…

Adam's icy blue eyes scanned the horizon as they advanced, the team occasionally stopping to check their surroundings. The terrain was rugged, with rocky outcrops providing natural cover. The Spartans moved with precision; their training evident in every step.

As they approached a ridge, Palmer signaled for the team to halt. She peered over the edge and saw a group of Covenant remnant forces below. Elites, Grunts, and Jackals were scattered around a makeshift camp, their weapons ready but their guard down.

"We've got Covenant up ahead," Palmer whispered into her comm. "Prepare to engage."

The team readied their weapons, moving into strategic positions. Palmer counted down silently on her fingers: three, two, one.

The Elite General, a towering figure clad in ornate armor, barked out orders as he noticed the Spartans' approach. "Alert! Intruders! Fire at will!"

The Grunts and Jackals scrambled into action, their plasma rifles and needlers lighting up the dim environment with streaks of blue and pink. The Spartans quickly took cover behind rocks and fallen logs, returning fire with lethal precision.

Just as the Elite General raised his plasma carbine, a swarm of bats swirled around him, coalescing into a grotesque, vampiric creature. In an instant, the creature grabbed a nearby Jackal, sinking its clawed fingers into its neck before tearing it apart with a sickening rip. The Elite General barely had time to react before the creature lunged at him, ripping his arms off his shoulders with terrifying strength. The Elite's screams were cut short as the creature grabbed his upper mandible with its mouth and tore his head off, hissing and roaring in triumph.

Adam didn't waste a moment. He lunged at the nearest group of Jackals and Grunts, moving so fast they barely saw him. As he passed them, they fell into pieces, their weapons sliced off at the ends. Adam executed a mid-air flip, dodging plasma cannon fire from panicking Elites and Grunts. He landed beside a Grunt, ripping off its breathing apparatus with an inhuman roar, watching as it suffocated to death, desperately trying to reattach its mask.

Palmer noticed something strange then. The Covenant remnants were no longer firing at them. She peeked out from behind cover just in time to see a Grunt emerge, throwing five plasma grenades at Adam and screaming, "He's a demon!"

The grenades stuck to Adam's hand as he tried to pull them off, but it was too late. They exploded in a burst of energy and heat, enveloping him in a blinding flash. The rest of the team watched in horror as Adam was thrown back, his body engulfed in flames. But even as he fell to the ground, he let out a guttural growl, his features now even more bat-like and menacing.

The Covenant forces hesitated, unsure of what to do next. Taking advantage of their hesitation, Palmer and the Spartan IVs moved in, firing their weapons at the Covenant troops. The sound of gunfire filled the air as they engaged in a fierce battle.

Rising from behind a rock, Adam glared at the Grunt who had thrown the grenades. "That was a mistake," he said, his voice twisted and terrible. With lightning-fast reflexes, he lunged at the Grunt, pulling it behind a nearby log. The sounds of bones crunching and blood splattering filled the air. The other Covenant troops watched in horror as Adam emerged, covered in the Grunt's blood.

He looked directly at the aliens before him… and licked his fangs like he was savoring their fear…

"I am not a demon," he growled, his features still twisted and inhuman. "But I am something far worse." He said as he snarled at them.

With that, he charged forward, engaging the Covenant forces in close combat. The squad watched in stunned disbelief as the Covenant forces suddenly seemed to forget about them entirely, their attention completely focused on Adam. With a feral growl, he lunged at an Elite, sinking his teeth into the alien's neck and draining it of life. The other Covenant troops recoiled in horror, unsure of how to react.

As the team took cover, they watched as Adam threw the Elite's energy sword like a javelin at a Brute who had attempted to flee. The sword pierced through the Brute's chest, pinning him to a nearby wall. Adam then turned his attention to the remaining Covenant troops, his eyes blazing with intense fury.

Suddenly, a massive Brute Chieftain appeared, wielding a gravity hammer. The Chieftain swung his hammer towards Adam, intending to smash him into the ground. But Adam's reflexes were lightning-fast. He punched upwards on the hammer, causing a shockwave in the dirt and making the hammer fly backwards through the air. The Brute looked on in shock as Adam quickly closed the distance and sliced him into pieces with his claws.

As some more Brutes fell, a group of Grunts emerged from behind a nearby structure, armed with plasma rifles. They opened fire on Adam, but the plasma bolts seemed to have no effect on him like the plasma grenades did. It was then that Adam turned towards them…

With another lunge he began to tear the Grunts apart with his bare hands, ripping off limbs and tearing through their armor as if it were made of paper, it was a gruesome sight. And Haley could only mutter, I'm going to be sick at this rate….!" As she kept her guard up behind a rock.

Finally, the last of the Grunts fell to the ground, their bodies torn apart and mangled. The remaining Jackals, Grunts, and the few Brutes and Elites realized the hard truth—they had stumbled upon something far worse than the demons they were used to when fighting Spartans.

Adam, covered in blood and breathing heavily, looked at the terrified Covenant remnants. "If I were you," he said in a menacing voice, "I'd start running... while I still allow it."

All bravado vanished as the Covenant remnants high-tailed it out of there, not daring to look back.

The team was left speechless as they looked on at the aftermath of the carnage. One of the Spartans cautiously approached the spot where Adam had killed the Grunt behind the log, only to recoil in horror at the gruesome sight. He quickly removed his helmet and began to retch, unable to bear the sight before him.

Palmer walked up to Adam, who was still breathing heavily and covered in the blood and gore of his fallen enemies. "Adam, are you okay?" she asked, concerned for his well-being.

Adam turned to face her, his eyes blazing with an intense fury. "I'm fine," he growled. "But we need to find the Didact. Now."

Suddenly, Adam froze, his head cocked to one side as if listening intently. He turned to face the cliff face behind them, his eyes narrowing as he sensed danger.

"Jackals," he said quietly, his voice low and menacing. He licked his fangs, savoring the anticipation like it was lunch. "I'll be back in a moment."

Without another word, Adam turned into a swarm of bats and flew up the cliffside. The team below heard the sounds of panicking Jackals, plasma fire, and needler rounds, accompanied by the shouts of Jackals cursing and dying in their alien tongue. Horrifying noises of crunches, rips, and tears filled the air before everything went silent.

The swarm of bats descended from the cliff and reformed into Adam. The team watched in stunned silence, their expressions a mix of awe and horror.

Palmer decided to check the perimeter for any other enemies, if only to save them from Adam's wrath. She moved cautiously, her senses on high alert, while the Spartan who had witnessed the gruesome sight behind the log still leaned over, feeling sick.

As Palmer scouted the area, she couldn't shake the unease that settled over her. The scene they had just witnessed was a stark reminder of the terrifying power Adam possessed. They were dealing with something far beyond their usual enemies,

And he was completely unpredictable…

…

Turning back to the team, Palmer saw Adam sniff the air and then focus intensely. "I smell the Master Chief... he's nearby," Adam announced, his eyes gleaming with interest.

He paused for a moment, contemplating. "I'm going to get a better look at this supposed... 'demon'," he said with a hint of amusement in his voice.

Before anyone could react, Adam lunged up onto a tree branch, his movements fluid and silent. He disappeared into the forest beyond, leaving the team behind. Palmer shook her head in bewilderment, muttering, "Vampires and their superhuman senses..."

She turned to her comms device and called it in. "Palmer to Infinity, Adam has detected the Master Chief's presence nearby. He's gone ahead to investigate. We should prepare to move in and support if necessary."

As she waited for a response, Palmer couldn't help but feel a mix of anxiety and curiosity. Adam's unpredictable nature and immense power made him a wild card, but when it came to master chief…. It then clicked in her head, how would master chief fair in a fight with him?

She shuddered at the destruction that fight could wrought if anyone was caught in the crossfire.

…

Approximately, 4 hours later…

Master Chief moved steadily through the dense forest, his senses on high alert. The eerie silence was broken only by the occasional rustle of leaves and the faint sounds of wildlife. Cortana's voice crackled softly in his helmet, providing updates and scanning for any threats.

"We're getting closer to the Infinity crash site," Cortana said, her voice calm but focused. "Stay sharp."

As Chief navigated a narrow path, he turned a corner and his metallic boot went, SPLAT! The ground was covered in yellow, purple, and blue blood, mixing into a gruesome tableau. He paused, taking in the scene before him.

A large pile of Covenant bodies lay scattered across the immediate area, dismembered and disfigured as if they had been backed into a corner. The sight was disturbing, even for a seasoned soldier like Chief.

Cortana's voice in his helmet grew more urgent as she ran a scan. "Chief, these bodies... look at the marks. There are very deep, very large claw marks, and chunks torn open at their necks. It's like something slashed and bit at them."

Chief knelt down, examining the closest body. The evidence was clear—whatever had done this was powerful and brutal. "Something was feeding off their blood," Cortana concluded, her tone laced with concern. "I've never seen anything like this before."

Chief stood up, his grip tightening on his weapon. "We need to find out what did this and neutralize it. Whatever it is, it's dangerous."

Cortana's voice softened slightly, a note of unease creeping in. "Be careful, Chief. If this thing is still out there, we need to stay one step ahead."

Chief moved forward cautiously, his eyes scanning the trees and shadows for any sign of movement. The forest felt more ominous now, every sound amplified in the tense silence. The thought of an unknown predator lurking nearby was unsettling

Then something clicked in Chief's head. The forest had been quiet for a while now—too quiet. No birds, no bugs, no rustling of leaves—nothing. The unnatural silence was deafening.

He whispered to Cortana, "Can you pick up any life signs in the area? I need to confirm something."

Cortana ran a scan, her digital presence in his helmet growing more intense. "Scanning... Chief, there's something here. A black, shapeless mass that my scans can't penetrate! It's standing right behind us!"

Chief's grip tightened on his assault rifle as he spun around, ready to engage. But there was nothing there, only two boot prints in the ground, indicating that whatever had been there was gone the instant he turned.

A voice started speaking from the treeline, low and menacing. "So you're the legendary Master Chief... augmented, yes, special in your own regard, sure... but like the rest, you're still human... albeit, a weaponized human..."

Chief's eyes darted around, trying to pinpoint the source of the voice. The shadows seemed to deepen, the atmosphere growing thicker with tension.

"Who are you?" Chief demanded, his voice steady but filled with determination.

The voice chuckled, a sound that sent a shiver down Chief's spine. "I am Adam Geralt Aswald, and you are in my territory now. I've seen countless warriors like you, striving for greatness, yet always falling short of true immortality. Tell me, Master Chief, what do you seek in this endless struggle of yours?"

Chief didn't respond immediately, his mind racing as he tried to formulate a plan. "I'm here to protect humanity. Nothing more, nothing less."

Adam's voice grew closer, though his form remained unseen. "Noble. But humanity is fragile, fleeting. Your efforts are admirable, but ultimately... futile. You've stumbled upon something far greater than yourself, Spartan."

Chief's resolve hardened. "Show yourself."

There was a sudden CRUNCH! behind Chief, right where a Grunt's body lay. Turning around, he saw the figure who had introduced himself as Adam. Adam wiped his mouth, which had lingering blue liquid on it, and dropped an arm from an Elite. Cortana, within Chief's helmet, realized in that instant what exactly had fed on the bodies.

Chief pointed his gun at Adam, his grip firm and ready. Adam, however, seemed completely unfazed. He glanced at the gun briefly before inviting Chief to step closer.

"Obviously, you have questions," Adam said, his voice calm and inviting. He paused, then grinned, revealing sharp fangs. "John..."

Chief's eyes narrowed behind his visor. The use of his real name was unsettling, a reminder that this creature knew more about him than he was comfortable with. He didn't lower his weapon but took a cautious step forward, keeping his distance.

"Who are you, really?" Chief demanded. "What are you doing here?"

Adam's eyes sparkled with a mix of amusement and something darker. "I am Adam Geralt Aswald," he began. "The UNSC stumbled upon me a little over a week ago, and they had the honor of waking me up... They invited me along for the ride."

Chief's grip on his weapon tightened. "And what are you?" he asked, his voice edged with skepticism.

Adam's smile widened, revealing more of his sharp fangs. "As for what I am, John, I'm what your kind would call a Nosferatu or, commonly put, a vampire."

Chief's skepticism was clear in his voice. "Vampires are just myths."

Adam straightened his jacket, his demeanor calm and confident. He took a deep breath, his eyes locked onto Chief's visor. "If you don't believe me, maybe a little field test can prove it, and in doing so, we can end this little standoff."

He spread his arms wide, making himself an easy target. "Go ahead... shoot me if you wish. I won't mind."

Chief hesitated, his finger hovering over the trigger. Cortana's voice echoed in his helmet, her tone cautious. "Chief, be careful. We don't know what he's capable of."

With a slight nod, Chief fired a single round, the bullet striking Adam squarely in the chest. Adam didn't stagger, instead of falling, he merely looked down at the wound as it healed almost instantly. The bullet clattered to the ground, covered in a black colored blood that quickly turned to ash like it was emitting some sort of black fire.

Adam grinned, showing off his fangs once more. "Satisfied?" he asked, his tone both mocking and amused.

Chief lowered his weapon slightly, still wary but undeniably impressed. "What do you want, Adam?"

Adam seemed to relish the moment, his eyes gleaming with a wild intensity. His voice took on an unhinged edge as he began to speak. "A long time ago, I met someone, someone who claimed this world to own over 150,000 years ago like a piece of property." His expression twisted into one of pure hatred, his teeth gritting as he growled dangerously, "Backstabbing... FORERUNNER BASTARD! THE DIDACT!"

Chief could feel the menace in Adam's voice, and even through his visor, he could sense the barely

contained rage emanating from him.

"When I get ahold of him..." Adam's voice dropped to a whisper, filled with lethal promise. "I'll make him pay for his betrayal, he took something from me you see, something very dear to me, my jewel, Meridia."

As Cortana analyzed Adam's psychological profile with every word, she realized he was painting a picture of someone teetering on the edge of sanity—someone who was both unstable and dangerously unpredictable. She made a mental note of this, pondering how he knew about the Didact.

Adam's attention shifted, his eyes catching sight of a crawling, wounded Jackal desperately trying to escape. His expression hardened into one of pure contempt as the Jackal coughed up, "MONSTER!", as it crawled away.

Adam seemed to be amused by that as he walking over to the Jackal.

"Your right… and your meat."

With a swift, brutal motion, he stomped on its back, crushing its armor and body under his boot. The Jackal gurgled for a moment before it finally died, its life snuffed out by the force of Adam's blow.

Adam looked back at Chief, his eyes blazing. "Well? You can guess why I'm here, can't you?"

Chief's grip on his weapon tightened, the image of the crushed Jackal fresh in his mind. "You want revenge on the Didact," he stated, his voice steady despite the tension.

Adam nodded, a dark smile curling on his lips. "Exactly. And you, Spartan, are going to help me find him."

Adam's smile grew wider as he spoke cryptically, "Before we head to the Infinity, however... let's see what you know. Bear with me here; mind-reading is a messy business."

Before Master Chief could ask what he meant, he noticed Adam's eyes glowing red. An invisible force pulled him into that intense, supernatural gaze. John felt a sudden invasion into his thoughts, as if Adam's mind were sifting through his memories with the precision of a surgeon examining a body in a morgue.

Chief tried to resist, but his body remained frozen, unable to move as Adam delved deeper into his memories. Cortana, within John's helmet, realized what was happening and tried to interfere, but Adam's mental force was overwhelming. She observed as Adam sifted through the various images and experiences stored within John's mind.

Adam ignored Cortana's presence, focusing on the crucial memories of the cryptum on the planet Requiem. He saw John's encounters, the battles, and the moment when the Didact's signal had tricked him. Adam's eyes narrowed as he relived John's memories of being manipulated by the Didact, leading to the inevitable realization.

Adam's gaze intensified as he processed this information. His voice, previously calm, now held a dangerous edge. "You freed the Didact...?" he asked, his tone eerily composed. He could see the exact moment when John had been fooled, the desperation and the decision that had led to releasing the Didact from his prison.

"You... freed... the Didact?" Adam's voice grew more menacing with each word, his anger barely contained. "When I was so close!"

The red glow in Adam's eyes intensified, and he tightened his mental grip on John, his frustration and fury. Cortana could feel the growing tension and tried to interject, but Adam's focus on John was unrelenting.

"You have no idea what you've done, do you?" Adam's voice was a low, dangerous growl. "All this time, I was closing in on him, ready to exact my revenge. And you, Spartan, set him free."

The atmosphere grew colder, the weight of Adam's rage pressing down on John. Master Chief could feel the intensity of Adam's hatred for the Didact, a hatred that now extended to him for his unwitting role in releasing the Forerunner.

Adam finally released his mental grip, stepping back and allowing John to regain control. "We have much to discuss," he said, his voice returning to a deceptive calmness. "But first, we need to get to Infinity. There, you'll explain everything." It sounded more like a demand than anything else.

Chief, still reeling from the invasive experience, tightened his grip on his weapon and nodded. He knew that their mission had just become even more complicated, and the enigmatic vampire beside him was now an ally he could not fully trust.

The walk back to Palmer's group was tense, the air thick with unease. Adam led the way, moving with an unnerving casualness, as if he were merely out for a leisurely stroll. Chief and Cortana followed closely behind, their senses heightened, wary of the unpredictable creature guiding them.

As they traversed the forest, they passed several more piles of Covenant bodies, each in a gruesome state. Some were dismembered, others torn apart as if by a wild animal. One particularly horrifying sight was a brute pinned to the wall of a flaming Covenant tank by five energy swords through each limb and its mouth. The sheer brutality of these kills signaled that Adam had encountered these foes before meeting Chief.

The silence was oppressive, punctuated only by the occasional crackle of burning wreckage and the distant sounds of the forest. Chief's mind raced with questions, but he knew he had to choose his words carefully. Finally, unable to bear the tension any longer, he broke the silence.

"How do you know my name?" Chief asked, his voice steady but laced with suspicion.

Adam continued walking, his demeanor unchanged. "Something you should know about me," he began casually, "is that I can gain knowledge through a person's blood." He glanced over his shoulder at Chief, his expression unreadable. "I drank a drop of your good doctor's blood before we left and found ourselves on this planet. Only a drop, I assure you."

Chief's grip tightened on his weapon as he processed this information. The thought of Adam having access to Dr. Halsey's knowledge was unsettling, to say the least. Cortana, monitoring the conversation, made a note of the potential implications.

"You drank her blood?" Chief echoed, his tone a mix of disbelief and anger.

Adam smirked, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "It's a useful ability. Her knowledge has proven quite informative, especially in understanding the current state of affairs."

They continued in silence for a few more moments, the forest seeming even more foreboding with each step. Chief couldn't help but feel a growing sense of dread. Adam's abilities were far beyond anything they had encountered before, and the creature's motives remained shrouded in mystery.

As they neared Palmer's group, the sounds of the forest began to mingle with the voices of the Spartans preparing for their next move. Adam's casual stroll, the gruesome scenes they had passed, and the revelations about his powers had left an indelible mark on Chief's mind.

As Chief and Cortana approached Palmer's group, they could hear her radioing back to the Infinity.

"Are you sure?!" Palmer asked, her voice filled with disbelief.

The person on the other end responded with certainty. "I know it sounds crazy, but it's true. Their channels were going crazy up until a few hours ago... then, nothing! Our scouts have found similar situations within a five and a half mile radius! Some of the scouts nearly threw up at the sight!"

Chief's attention sharpened at the conversation. He glanced at Cortana on his visor, who was equally concerned.

"What's happening?" Chief asked, his voice cutting through the tension.

Palmer turned, noticing Adam standing there, a faint smirk on his lips. The Spartan IVs nearby gave Adam a wide berth, their faces pale and their demeanor uneasy. The fear in their eyes was all directed at Adam, "Did you have anything to do with this?" Palmer asked Adam directly, her tone a mix of accusation and wariness.

Adam looked at her, his expression shifting to one of feigned innocence. Then, he spoke in the Elite language, his voice taking on a sinister edge. "Grunts are extra... crunchy."

He then switched back to English, his tone returning to its usual calm. "And I've got their knowledge all up here," he said, tapping his temple with a finger. "All 547 of them... the ones I've fed on, anyway."

Palmer's eyes widened in horror and realization. The implication of Adam's words settled heavily over the group. The Spartan IVs exchanged nervous glances, their fear of Adam growing even more pronounced.

Chief stepped forward, his gaze if one could see it was deadly serious as he looked at Adam. "You fed on that many…?!" he asked, his voice steady despite the shock.

Adam nodded slowly, his eyes gleaming with a dark amusement. "They were in my way. I needed information. And besides," he added with a chilling smile, "it's been a long time since I had a proper meal."

The atmosphere grew even tenser, the weight of Adam's actions hanging heavily over them. Palmer, still grappling with the enormity of what she had just learned, struggled to maintain her composure.

"Let's…. Head back to the infinity…" Spartan Palmer uttered after a moment, and with that she turned around and started walking towards the infinity followed by her Spartan IV's.

None dared to look back at this monster that was following them, and who they allied themselves with…