Halo: Project Vampire Chapter 3, a halo fanfic

Halo: Project Vampire

Chapter 3: Of True Nature's and Hard Truths

…

"So, this is the Infinity?" Adam mused to himself as he entered the expansive hangar. He was flanked by the Spartan IVs he had trained with, while Dr. Victor walked beside him. Palmer led the group, moving ahead with a few rows of Spartans from the base, giving them a thorough rundown of procedures and operations.

Adam's keen eyes scanned the hangar, taking in the sheer scale of the ship. "Hmm," he murmured, a hint of curiosity in his tone.

"It is an impressive ship, isn't it?" Dr. Victor commented, glancing around with a sense of pride.

Adam barely let out a dismissive "huh" in reply, followed by, "My fortress was bigger." His nonchalant remark made Dr. Victor raise an eyebrow in curiosity.

"Your kind developed ships?" Dr. Victor asked, bewildered by the notion.

Adam paused for a moment, considering how best to explain. "If you count black monoliths that can lead to massive fortresses as ships... though you would probably refer to them as portals or castles on distant worlds," he replied, not bothering to look back as he waved his hand dismissively.

Dr. Victor's mind raced with questions, but he knew better than to bombard Adam with them all at once. Instead, he chose to focus on the here and now. "I'd love to learn more about your fortresses and portals someday. But for now, let's get you acquainted with the Infinity."

As they continued through the hangar, the hustle and bustle of activity surrounded them. Engineers worked diligently on various ships and equipment, their movements precise and purposeful. Adam observed the organized chaos with mild interest, noting the efficiency and coordination of the human crew.

Palmer's voice echoed through the hangar as she addressed the Spartans, her authoritative tone commanding their attention. "Listen up! The Infinity is not just a ship; it's our home and our stronghold. You will treat it with the utmost respect and follow all protocols to the letter. Understood?"

"Yes, ma'am!" the Spartans replied in unison, their voices firm and disciplined.

Adam's gaze shifted to Palmer, his eyes narrowing slightly as he assessed her leadership. Despite his earlier displays of power, he couldn't help but acknowledge her competence and the respect she commanded from her troops.

"She's quite the leader," Adam remarked to Dr. Victor, a hint of admiration in his voice.

Dr. Victor nodded. "Commander Palmer is one of our best. She's earned her position through hard work and dedication."

…

As they moved deeper into the ship, the corridors became narrower, lined with reinforced steel and state-of-the-art technology. The hum of the ship's engines was a constant background noise, a reminder of the immense power contained within the vessel. Adam noted the various vehicles and ships of different calibers, ignoring the individuals who filled the space—scientists and military personnel who did their best to avoid being noticed by him as they passed by.

The people seemed on edge, keeping to themselves and trying to maintain a safe distance. "They're scared," he thought to himself as he scanned the room. Not that he could blame them. After all, he had dismembered a course full of dummies and thrown a shipping container as if it weighed nothing. Moreover, his alien and unnatural nature must be deeply unsettling to these primitives.

As he continued to scan the room, someone caught his eye. Unlike the others, this person stood out. An older woman with graying hair and light freckles, dressed in a standard-issue lab uniform, was deep in conversation with a group of scientists. Two guards stood by her sides, their eyes ever watchful.

"Interesting. They're keeping a close eye on her. Now isn't that suspicious?"

Although her back was turned to him, Adam sensed she was hiding something. There was an unmistakable scent emanating from her direction—one of death and the corruption of something innocent. The kind of corruption one might find involving children.

He searched his memory, recalling the blood given to him which contained backups of data from the base personnel. "Dr. Halsey... hmm." Rumors circulated among the memories he accessed: whispers that she had kidnapped children from their homes, augmenting their bodies to create what were known as "Spartans." But to this day, they were just that—rumors.

Instinctively, Adam sent a glare in her direction. "Rumors are sometimes based in reality," he thought. "That's why she smelled like death and corruption—if it's true, that is."

He detested people like that—those who pursued their agendas relentlessly, regardless of the sacrifices they demanded, all while claiming it was for the greater good. It reminded him too much of the two individuals who had imprisoned him on that rock.

Closing his eyes, he tried to find his inner peace, to calm his nerves at this revelation and avoid causing an incident. His mind drifted to a cherished memory of Meridia.

…

Meridia stood like a vision of beauty in the field, wearing white robes that flowed in the wind. The sun shone down on her as she held out her hands, clasping Adam's smaller ones. A bright smile graced her face, and she wore a ring of black material with red crystal inlays. The ring had a crest shaped like a symmetrical, upside-down jagged "U" with two similar triangles on the sides.

She leaned down slightly, meeting his gaze with her heavenly eyes. Adam placed a hand on her cheek, his fingers adorned with a silver ring that had glowing blue lights—dots surrounded by almost complete circles.

They shared a tender kiss before resting their foreheads against each other.

"I will always be yours, my love," Meridia said as they embraced.

"And I, yours, till the end of time and beyond," Adam replied, closing his eyes.

When he opened them, the scene had changed. Something was wrong.

Meridia was gone. His hands were still outstretched, as if holding hers. Panic set in as he quickly looked around.

"Meridia!" he called out, watching the alien plants around him wither and the sky darken with thunderclouds.

"I will always be yours... my love..."

He spun around at the sound of her voice, only to stare in horror as he saw Meridia lying on the ground with a nasty gash on her side. Her eyes were closed in death. Standing over her were Forerunner soldiers with their guns, their backs turned to him. At the forefront stood the one holding a Forerunner dagger, fresh blood dripping from its end—a larger figure clad in advanced Forerunner armor with glowing orange lines and hovering parts.

Adam recognized him all too well—the Iso-Didact himself. The soldiers and the Iso-Didact began to disintegrate into ashes, blown away by the breeze, leaving Meridia lifeless on the ground.

Adam collapsed, holding her in his arms, desperately searching for any sign of life. He stroked her cheek with his hand. "Meridia?" he whispered, his voice heavy with pain.

That was the day he lost hope, as darkness overtook him. He screamed in agony.

"Meridia!"

…

Adam shot his eyes open with a start, looking around to ensure he hadn't attracted any attention. He focused on Dr. Halsey.

Palmer raised an eyebrow, even though she was a little distance away. She couldn't help but notice his pained distress, quickly clouded over by anger.

Something clicked in him then, something that couldn't be easily turned off.

As if on instinct, he began to move toward Dr. Halsey, ignoring the looks from the Spartan IVs and Palmer, who noticed his distress and the direction he was heading.

…

Dr. Halsey looked up from her data pad, sensing that something was off. The young scientist standing nearby backed away with fear etched on their face, and the guards visibly shook as they turned around. The usual hum of the hangar had fallen into an eerie silence as people stopped what they were doing to stare in her direction.

Even the Spartan IVs, who in no way compared to John and the original candidates, were on edge. Their unease made her raise an eyebrow, a questioning look crossing her face before a voice spoke behind her. The voice was smooth, yet carried an underlying authority and a hint of hidden anger.

"So, you're the infamous Dr. Catherine Halsey. You reek of corruption and death of the innocent," the voice said, a mix of interest and disdain edging each word.

Everyone, even Palmer and her Spartans, gawked at the insult. The guards raised their eyebrows and their mouths hung open. Dr. Halsey herself felt a wave of shock, her mind racing with questions as she turned around to confront the speaker.

The very moment she saw his dark figure and icy blue eyes, she stopped, raising an eyebrow at his unprofessional appearance. He clearly wasn't military personnel—the dark trench coat, vest, dark pants, boots, and multi-layered collar that stood upright at the top were a dead giveaway. It was hard to believe that anyone in this day and age would dress like that on a UNSC ship.

"I don't know what you mean by that," she finally said. "And more than that, who are you and who let you onboard?"

Adam merely stared back, rolling his shoulders and letting out a groan before standing still, looking slightly offended. "I assume they, meaning ONI, didn't see a reason to tell you about their guest—meaning me. So let me introduce myself again, for clarity's sake.

"My name is Adam, Geralt, Aswald, but I prefer 'Adam' for short. As to why I'm here, I'm here for my own reasons that your little human mind would have a hard time grasping. But that's beside the point. The point is," he continued, his voice growing firmer with each word, "Why do you smell like corruption and death?"

Dr. Halsey's eyes narrowed at the remark about her "little human mind," but then it clicked. "He said human mind, not your mind?" She pushed that thought aside as she lost her temper, raising a finger toward him. "Look, I don't know who you think you are, you brute, but I won't let an arrogant child talk to a superior intellect like tha—"

She didn't get to finish before Adam's hand shot out with inhuman speed and strength, wrapping around the collar of her lab uniform and lifting her onto her toes so he could stare directly into her eyes.

As she clawed at his arm with a hate-filled expression, she demanded, "Put me down this instant!"

Adam merely chuckled. "You don't want to talk? Fine, there are other ways to collect information without a death sentence involved." She felt a sharp pain as something scratched her neck where his thumb was, making her flinch.

"What are yo—" But the words died in her throat, her mouth and eyes hanging open in terror as his face transformed. His eyes turned a deep crimson, and his mouth opened to reveal two rows of sharp, fang-like teeth. A long, smooth tongue extended, licking a drop of blood from her neck before retracting as he closed his mouth.

He let her down, making her stand on shaking legs. All rational explanations evaporated from her mind as she processed what she had just seen.

After a minute, Adam tilted his head and let go. "So, you believe yourself to be a monster for what you've done to those you condemned, from whom you stole any semblance of life, hmm?"

The cold, hard realization dawned on her. "He knows. He knows about what I did to John and the other children! How does he know?"

He grinned, showing unusually long and sharp canines, further unnerving Dr. Halsey. She backed up in fear, rubbing her neck where she felt the small scratch. "You have no idea, but I'm going to show you before this is over," he said, turning to walk away. He paused and muttered, "Oh, and Catherine, try not to piss me off or do anything naughty while I'm here. I'll know." With that, he continued walking, a scowl on his face knowing she was on a dark path that would lead to her doom if she wasn't careful.

He resisted the urge to turn around and rip her face off as he walked forward.

Once he made it back over to Palmer and the Spartan IVs, Palmer gave him a questioning look before carefully choosing her words. "What was that all about?"

He released a grunt and said, "Just getting a taste of her not-so-pleasant memories through her blood." Noticing her questioning look, he added, "Wait, you can do that?" she asked in surprise.

"Yeah, I can do that," he replied seriously, shrugging his shoulders. "How do you think I knew how to speak perfect English when I woke up from that crypt?"

Palmer's eyes widened slightly as she processed Adam's revelation. It was the only thing that made sense the more she thought about it. At the dig site, one of the scientists had been hurt and lost some blood. According to the report, the blood had been absorbed or flowed into the sarcophagus. And as soon as Adam had exited the sarcophagus, he had spoken perfect English.

"It was the only thing that made sense!" she realized, her mind connecting the dots. She turned to Adam, her expression a mix of astonishment and wariness. "At the dig site... one of the scientists was hurt. He lost some blood, and according to the report, the blood was absorbed into the sarcophagus. That's how you knew English so perfectly when you woke up."

Adam nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Precisely. Blood is a powerful conduit for knowledge and memories. By consuming it, I can learn a great deal about the individual it came from, including their language and experiences."

Palmer couldn't hide her amazement. "That's... incredible. Terrifying, but incredible." She shook her head, trying to wrap her mind around the concept. "So, you not only gain sustenance from blood but also knowledge?"

Adam nodded again. "Yes. It's an efficient means of learning and surviving. In my long existence, it has served me well."

Palmer took a deep breath, the implications of this new information settling in. "We have to be very careful then, don't we? You could potentially know everything about anyone you come into contact with."

Adam's eyes twinkled with amusement. "I guess you could say that, if you want to view it that way. Though it goes far deeper than that."

Palmer was about to ask what that meant? When Adam turned and continued his tour of Infinity.

After a moment of thinking about that, she said, "That's how, not why though?"

Adam paused for a moment before clarifying further…

"…So, I could judge her character. Death and corruption linger on her, after all," he replied, giving a cryptic response. "Something that you are aware of, no doubt."

Palmer hesitated for a moment, carefully choosing her words. She knew that Halsey had a questionable past, but she didn't want to expose her further or create any more tension between her and Adam. Finally, she sighed and said, "Yes, I am aware. I've lost family members to her program..."

Adam looked at Palmer, a hint of understanding in his eyes. He knew that people were capable of both good and evil, and perhaps Halsey's intentions were indeed for the greater good, albeit carried out in a morally dubious manner. "I understand your perspective, but some lines should never be crossed. The consequences of her actions will continue to echo in the lives of those affected."

Adam pulled a Forerunner ring on a necklace out of his collar and held it up, his eyes taking on a faraway look as if remembering something distant and painful. "I've seen firsthand how the pursuit to bring your race to the front of all other races can lead to destruction and suffering," he said softly, letting the ring fall back against his chest.

As Adam held the Forerunner ring, Palmer noticed its intricate design and couldn't help but wonder about its origins. She hesitated before asking, "That ring... It's Forerunner, isn't it?"

Adam looked at the ring, his expression filled with a mix of sadness and longing. "Yes," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "It belonged... to my wife. She was a Forerunner. But that was a long time ago..."

Palmer's eyes widened in surprise, her mind racing with questions as she stared in shock. Adam noticed the look on her face as she grappled with the idea of a vampire marrying a Forerunner.

Palmer looked at him, her curiosity piqued. "So, you've met the Forerunners?"

Adam nodded. "Met is a strong word. Many of them tried backstabbing me like the Forerunners often did in those days, all save Meridia," his eyes fixed on the Forerunner ring he held. "Yes, I cannot die. That's why the Forerunners chose to imprison me—it was the only way to contain me. They feared what I represented and the potential chaos I could cause. Yet even then, I was able to find love in the most unlikely of places."

His gaze lingered on the ring, and Palmer could see the deep longing and sadness in his eyes. She realized the profound impact his wife, Meridia, had had on him and how her loss continued to haunt him.

Palmer hesitated, sensing the pain in his voice, but she couldn't help herself from asking, "What happened to her, Adam?"

He remained still for a moment, his eyes never leaving the Forerunner ring. Finally, he spoke, his voice barely more than a whisper, "They killed her... to get to me."

Palmer's eyes widened, a mix of horror and empathy flooding her features. She couldn't imagine the kind of pain and betrayal Adam must have experienced in that moment.

Before walking away, Adam added, "It was her own parents who killed her... with her father's blade."

Palmer was left speechless, the gravity of the revelation sinking in. As he walked away, he cast a glare at Halsey, who couldn't hear their conversation.

Adam stopped abruptly and stared at Halsey with intensity. "Also," he said in a cold, firm tone, "I know that you destroyed clones of your brain to create your A.I.s. So watch what you do around me."

Halsey's eyes widened in surprise, clearly caught off guard by Adam's knowledge of her actions. Adam's warning hung in the air, casting an uneasy atmosphere over the room. Palmer looked between the two of them, her mind still reeling from everything she had just learned about Adam and the complex web of relationships and secrets that seemed to surround them all.

As Adam spoke, he bared his sharp teeth, and his eyes shifted from blue to an intense red. The display was both captivating and chilling, leaving no doubt about the seriousness of his warning. After making his point, Adam continued on his way, seemingly unfazed by the stares of everyone in the hangar.

Palmer, Halsey, and the others were left to process the revelations they had just been exposed to, each of them left with their own thoughts and questions about the enigmatic being that had just walked away.

Halsey's face paled at the mention of her past actions, and she watched Adam leave the hangar with a mix of unease and curiosity. She couldn't help but wonder what secrets this ancient being held and how they could affect their mission moving forward.

Palmer, still reeling from the entire exchange, remained silent. Her thoughts were clouded by the history Adam had shared, and she couldn't help but feel a strange mix of empathy and wariness towards him. It was clear that their alliance with this primordial alien Nosferatu would be anything but straightforward.

Adam continued his tour of the Infinity, his eyes taking in every detail of the impressive vessel. As he approached the bridge, the shipboard AI, Roland, grew increasingly curious about Adam's nature. Initiating a quick scan of Adam's body, Roland was surprised by what he found. Instead of a typical biological signature, there was nothing but a shapeless mass and darkness that made up Adam's body and clothes.

From his location on the bridge, far from Adam, Roland whispered to himself in his digital voice, "Intriguing, there's no biological signature detected. It's all... him."

Adam simply turned to look in Roland's direction, seemingly unperturbed by the scan. "I'm not quite like anything you've seen before, am I?" he asked, amusement evident in his voice. It was as if Roland had tried to scan death itself. Adam also noticed that the light touching him seemed to be drowned out by some unseen force, leaving a black void where his form should be.

Feeling unsettled by his findings, Roland leaned in to whisper to the other crew members. "I don't know what he is, but it's not human. My scans couldn't penetrate his form, and the light around him seems to be distorted or absorbed. Be careful around him."

The crew members exchanged uneasy glances before one of them asked, "What do you mean, Roland? Can you explain further?"

Before Roland could respond, Captain Del Rio noticed the quiet commotion and the worried expressions of his crew. He walked over, his authoritative presence commanding attention. "What's going on here? Roland, give me a report."

Roland hesitated for a moment before responding. "Captain, I've scanned Adam, and my findings are... troubling. I couldn't detect any biological signature. Instead, I found a shapeless mass and darkness. The light around him is distorted or absorbed by some unseen force."

Del Rio's eyebrows furrowed in concern. "Can you run the numbers or find any genetic code to give us a hint as to what this being is?"

Roland attempted to put the scan data into a genetic code format, but what he found was even more disturbing. "Captain, the genetic code... it's mostly empty darkness. It's not a helix like we're used to seeing. Instead, it's all spiky, as if it's made up of dark matter or, more likely, negative matter that we haven't discovered yet. It's as if he's... the opposite of life or even anything that can exist known to science. This thing has no right to be alive—there's not even a heartbeat."

Del Rio's face paled slightly as he absorbed this information. He looked over at Adam, who stood calmly, seemingly aware of the conversation but unaffected by it. The Captain then turned back to Roland. "Are you saying that Adam is some kind of... anti-life form?"

Roland replied, "Based on the data, yes. He is not composed of any known biological material, and his very existence seems to defy the laws of life as we understand them."

Del Rio took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. He addressed the crew, "Everyone, stay alert and proceed with caution. Adam is our ally for now, but we must remain vigilant. Roland, keep monitoring and update me with any new findings."

Silence filled the room as the spartans struggled to find the words to describe the horror before them.

As Adam noticed the shocked expressions on the faces of the Spartans, he quickly asked, "Too much?" They seemed to be at a loss for words, so he decided to show them a less monstrous form. In a flash of movement, he transformed into a large, sleek wolf with fiery red eyes. The wolf form was elegant and powerful, with a coat of deep black and hints of silver around the edges.

The Spartans seemed impressed by this new form, and Adam could sense their amazement. He could also sense their underlying fear, but he tried not to let it bother him.

"What do you think?" he asked, circling the room in his wolf form.

One of the Spartans, a man named James, spoke up. "That's incredible. How do you do that?"

Adam replied, "It's a part of who I am. My kind has the ability to shapeshift into different forms. It comes in handy in certain situations."

Half a day later, the Infinity was already deep into space, their mission to find the remaining Halo arrays underway. Adam, feeling bored, decided to head to the mess hall. The ship's metal corridors echoed with his footsteps, each step a reminder of his ancient, otherworldly nature.

In the mess hall, the atmosphere was tense. Adam's presence had everyone on edge, and they couldn't help but steal glances at him as he walked in. He found a table in the corner and sat down, his finger tapping rhythmically on the metal surface.

One of the Spartan IVs, a burly man with a shaved head, noticed Adam sitting eerily by himself. Feeling a mixture of curiosity and a desire to be courteous, he approached the table. "Hey man, you look like you're pretty strong. Want to arm wrestle?"

Adam considered the offer for a moment before nodding. "Sure," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.

The Spartans cleared a space and set up a makeshift arm wrestling table. The other Spartans gathered around to watch, their eyes fixed on the unusual contest. The burly Spartan took his place across from Adam, his expression determined.

Even with the Spartans in their armor, Adam looked bored as the match began. The table creaked and dented from the strain as the two locked hands. Despite the Spartan's best efforts, Adam's arm slowly but steadily pushed his opponent's down to the table. The other Spartans watched in disbelief, their eyes widening as they witnessed Adam's overwhelming strength.

When Adam finally released his grip, the table was left dented from the strain. The Spartan, still trying to catch his breath, looked up at Adam in growing shock. "How... how did you do that?" he asked, still in disbelief.

Adam simply shrugged, his expression unreadable. "I've had a lot of practice," he said, before patting the Spartan on the back. "Keep practicing. You'll need it."

The other Spartans exchanged glances, realizing that they were dealing with someone who was on a completely different level than they were. They couldn't help but feel a mixture of admiration and intimidation in his presence.

Haley, who had seen the contest. the arm-wrestling challenge, spoke up. "So, Adam, these items you're looking for—what are they like that would make them as destructive as you've mentioned before?" she asked, trying to make conversation.

Adam hesitated for a moment before speaking. "There are five of them. The first is a monolith that leads to my domain, a dark, pocket dimension. It's a castle of sorts, many times bigger than the ship we're in."

The bridge crew looked at each other in disbelief. The idea of a pocket dimension and a castle in it that was many times bigger than the Infinity was hard to digest.

"And the other relics?" David asked curiously.

Adam figured that they should know since it would help him find these relics should they come across them. He leaned forward, his eyes glinting with a fierce intensity as he spoke of the second relic. "The second relic is the Void Sword," he said, "is a weapon capable of draining the life force from enemies and controlling their blood. It's a formidable weapon, and I must have it back."

"The third relic is the Blood Orb. It's a sphere that contains the essence of every creature I've ever fed upon. It grants me immense power and control over blood. But it also has the potential to cause catastrophic events if it falls into the wrong hands."

the arm-wrestling challenge, spoke up. "So, Adam, these items you're looking for—what are they like that would make them as destructive as you've mentioned before?" she asked, trying to make conversation.

The bridge crew looked at each other in disbelief. The idea of a pocket dimension and a castle in it that was many times bigger than the Infinity was hard to digest.

"And the other relics?" David asked curiously.

Adam figured that they should know since it would help him find these relics should they come across them. He leaned forward, his eyes glinting with a fierce intensity as he spoke of the second relic. "The Void Sword," he said, "is a weapon capable of draining the life force from enemies and controlling their blood. It's a formidable weapon, and I must have it back."

"As for the fifth relic, I'll keep that one a secret for now, though I'll tell you hints in time when I know I can trust you fully."

"The fourth relic, Is a bit more simple, an ancient forunner ring, it belonged to someone very dear to me, and I will get it back."

The Spartans listened intently, their curiosity piqued by the mysterious and powerful artifacts that Adam possessed. Then Lasky had to ask a question of his own.

Lasky asked Adam, "Have you encountered any ancient humans during your long lifespan?"

Adam thought for a moment before answering, "Yes, I do remember the Neanderthals. There was one among them who was a captain of his own ship."

The Spartans looked at each other in shock, surprised at this revelation.

Adam continued, "And from what I can gather from the blood memories from a past life all those millennia ago, the ancient humans were actively fighting the Forerunner Empire before the Flood became a major problem."

The Spartans were stunned by this information, as it went against everything they had been taught about the Forerunners and the Flood.

"But how could that be? The Forerunners were supposed to be the dominant force in the galaxy," Sarah asked, her confusion evident.

Adam shrugged, "I was in a casket throughout much of this history, so I only know what I've gathered from the memories of those whose blood I've tasted. But it seems that the Forerunners may have kept this information hidden, even from their own people."

The Spartans exchanged worried glances, wondering what else the Forerunners had hidden from them. The Forerunners were a highly advanced civilization, and they believed that they were the rightful rulers of the galaxy. They would do anything to maintain their power, even if it meant wiping out entire civilizations."

He paused for a moment before continuing. "But their downfall came with their own hubris. They underestimated the threat posed by the Flood, and they were ultimately unable to stop its spread. It was a grave mistake, and one that cost them dearly."

The Spartans listened intently, fascinated by Adam's insights into the ancient history of the galaxy.

"But not all Forerunners were like that," Adam added. "There were some who disagreed with the dominant ideology and fought against it. And there were even those who sympathized with other races, like the ancient humans. They understood that their civilization was going down a dark path and for a time they fought back at their leaders, no matter how small their rebellion was."

He paused for a moment. "Do you want to see a trick that comes naturally to me? I can shapeshift, after all."

The Spartans exchanged glances before nodding, their curiosity piqued. "Sure," one of them said.

Adam stood up and straightened his collar before his body began to contort and shift, growing in size and changing shape. His skin turned a sickly gray-red color and became rough and scaly, with no hair in sight. His eyes disappeared, leaving only empty sockets in their place. Two large wings sprouted from his lower back, and four spider-like appendages emerged from his sides, each ending in a hooked claw. His ribcage protruded, looking like it could withstand any blow. His neck elongated, with spiny vertebrae leading down his back. His arms and legs became muscular and powerful. His mouth opened, revealing a set of razor-sharp fangs. To top it off, he had a tail like some reptile, complete with a sharp bone at the end with a spike.

As Adam shifted into a monstrous form, the Spartans and other personnel couldn't help but feel a shiver run down their spines. Palmer, in particular, felt a wave of unease at the sight.

The Spartans seemed impressed by this new form, and Adam could sense their amazement. He could also sense their underlying fear, but he tried not to let it bother him.

"What do you think?" he asked, circling the room in his wolf form.

One of the Spartans, a man named James, spoke up. "That's incredible. How do you do that?"

Adam turned his lupin head towards the spartan and said simply, "It just comes naturally for me."

After a moment, Adam shifted back into his original form. Standing up straight, he turned into a swarm of large, vampire bats with glowing orange eyes. The bats swarmed around the room, creating a chaotic yet mesmerizing display, before merging back into Adam's form again.

"I think that's enough for today," Adam said with a smile. "I don't want to overwhelm you now, do I?"

The Spartans and personnel looked ready to faint at the monstrous display, their faces pale with shock. They exchanged nervous glances, realizing that they were dealing with a being far beyond their comprehension.

As Adam popped his neck, he looked around the room, his sharp senses taking in every detail. "So, what's the next part of this ship? I feel like I've been cooped up in here for far too long."

Captain Lasky, who had been observing quietly for a while, finally spoke up. "Well, we have the armory, the medical bay, and the engineering room. Take your pick."

Adam considered his options before responding. "Let's go to the armory. I want to see what kind of weapons you humans have come up with."

The group made their way to the armory, a large, expansive room filled with all manner of weapons and equipment. The air was thick with the scent of metal and gunpowder. Rows of rifles, pistols, and heavy weaponry lined the walls, each meticulously maintained and ready for action.

Adam scanned the room, his eyes lingering on the various weapons and their specifications. He noted the intricate designs and the technological advancements that had been made since his time. The human arsenal was impressive, to say the least.

After a few minutes of browsing, he turned to Lasky and asked, "So, what's the most powerful weapon you have here?"

Lasky looked at him incredulously. "Are you serious? We have a ton of powerful weapons. Which one are you interested in?"

Adam thought for a moment before responding. "Well, is it true you have some energy weapons lying around here?" He paused, then abruptly pointed casually to a nearby standard issue Covenant plasma pistol. "What about this one?"

He picked up the plasma pistol and handed it to Lasky before walking down the firing range, positioning himself directly in front of a target. The group watched with a mix of confusion and curiosity.

"Alright, Lasky... hit me," Adam said, turning to face him. His expression was one of genuine curiosity, as if he were conducting an experiment.

Lasky hesitated, his hand hovering over the weapon. "Are you sure about this?"

Adam nodded. "Absolutely."

With some reluctance, Lasky raised the plasma pistol and nervously lined up the shot. He took a deep breath and pulled the trigger. The bright green plasma bolt shot towards Adam, but to everyone's astonishment, it dissipated harmlessly upon contact, as if hitting an invisible barrier.

Adam looked satisfied, a slight smile spreading on his face at the results, "Yep... looks like I'm still unkillable."

This raised a few eyebrows among the group. One of the Spartans, a tall woman with a scar running down her cheek, stepped forward. "What do you mean by that exactly?"

Adam turned to face her, his expression serious. "Why do you think the Forerunners locked me away instead of outright killing me? So far, only another vampire from my kind can kill another vampire of my kind. As history has shown, we're just too stubborn to die. Also, dying doesn't mean we can't spontaneously come back. For us, death is quite different... think of it as a temporary stasis."

The Spartans and crew members exchanged uneasy glances, processing the implications of what he had just said. The idea of an immortal, undying being was unsettling, to say the least.

"You're saying you're effectively immortal?" another Spartan asked, disbelief evident in his voice.

Adam nodded. "In a manner of speaking, yes. The Forerunners tried many ways to kill me, but none succeeded. Imprisonment was their only option."

The room fell silent as everyone absorbed this new information. The concept of immortality was one thing in stories and legends, but standing before them was a living, breathing example of it.

Haley, trying to lighten the mood, spoke up. "So, if you're indestructible, does that mean you can survive anything we throw at you?"

Adam chuckled softly. "I wouldn't recommend testing that theory too much. Just because I can't die doesn't mean I don't feel pain, and trust me, a wounded animal is a dangerous one..."

Adam's remark hung in the air like a dark cloud, his tone carrying a warning that resonated deeply with everyone present. "Just because I can't die doesn't mean I don't feel pain, and trust me, a wounded animal is a dangerous one."

The Spartans and crew members exchanged glances, the weight of his words sinking in. The reality of what they were dealing with became even clearer. This wasn't just a highly intelligent being; Adam was more like a highly intelligent wild animal than an actual humanoid.

Captain Lasky observed the reactions of his team, noting the mixture of awe, fear, and respect that Adam commanded. He himself felt a growing sense of wariness. This ancient vampire was not only powerful but also unpredictable. The knowledge that he could inflict pain and survive anything thrown at him made Lasky realize just how careful they needed to be.

The tall Spartan with the scar took a step back, her expression thoughtful. "A wounded animal is a dangerous one," she repeated softly, as if testing the phrase in her own mind. The others nodded in silent agreement.

Haley, who had tried to lighten the mood earlier, now looked at Adam with a newfound respect. She had thought of him as a curiosity, an enigma to be solved. Now she realized that he was a force of nature, one that they had to handle with the utmost care.

David, another Spartan, shook his head slowly. "Unkillable, coming back from death... It's like we're dealing with something out of a nightmare."

Adam merely continued to stand there eerily, his eyes glinting with amusement. "Nightmares and legends often have a basis in reality. Now, shall we continue the tour?"

Lasky nodded, snapping out of his reverie. "Yes, let's. There's still much of the Infinity to show you."

With that, the group moved on, their minds still reeling from the revelations. As they walked, they couldn't help but cast sidelong glances at Adam, the realization of his true nature fresh in their minds. The tour continued, but the atmosphere had shifted.

They needed to be very, very careful with this one…