Editing Pod infector

The '''pod infector''' (sometimes shortened as '''pod'''),{{Ref/Game|Id=PLPI|HW2|Phoenix Logs|Detail=Pod Infectors}} often ubiquitously called the '''Flood infection form''',{{Ref/Book|Id=enc11p164|Enc11|Page=164}}{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22|Enc22|Page=406}} is a stage of the virulent [[Flood]] xenoform. It serves as the primary form for spreading the Flood infection due to its effectiveness compared to mere [[Flood spores]] when deployed in large numbers. Subsequently, it is usually the first Flood form to be produced as well as the most commonly encountered Flood form.{{Ref/Reuse|PLPI}}

Serving as the primary vector for the Flood infection, pod infectors usually attack en masse, overwhelming and overpowering their prey, until one is able to burrow into the victim's flesh,{{Ref/Reuse|Library}} As with other infection forms, the pod infector has an array of "penetrators", which are barbed tentacles that can cut through flesh and armor.{{Ref/Reuse|PLIF}}{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} [[Energy shielding]] destroys pod infectors on contact, causing them to explode in a small burst of gas and flesh.{{Ref/Game|Id=HCE|HCE|gameplay}}{{Ref/Game|Id=H2|H2|gameplay}}{{Ref/Game|Id=H3|H3|gameplay}} When a pod infector attacks a victim, its tentacles insert into the spine,{{Ref/Novel|TF|6|Quote=There was a cry of pain as something landed on Private Riley’s back, drove a needlelike penetrator through his skin, and aimed it down toward his spine.}}{{Ref/Novel|TF|9|Quote=...because ever since the infection form had inserted its penetrator into his spine, Private Wallace A. Jenkins had been sharing his physical form with something he thought of as "the other."}} with the goal of invading the target's central nervous system,{{Ref/Reuse|McKayQuote}} which then initiates a violent transformation triggered by the the [[Flood spore]]s carried by the pod infector.{{Ref/Reuse|343GSquote}} Once the target is compromised, the pod infector injects [[Flood Super Cell]]s to suborn the victim's nervous system,{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}} "digesting" the DNA of its victims,{{Ref/Book|AoH3|Page=26}} while the pod infector itself bores into the host body to hollow out a nest, quickly twisting the remains of its victim into a combat or carrier form.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22}}

Due to the balloon-like qualities of the pod infector, it could deflate itself to fit inside the victim's body.{{Ref/Novel|TF|10|Quote=If you peek through the hole in her chest you can see the remains of the infection form that deflated itself enough to fit in around her heart and lungs.}} Even if the pod infector is quickly removed, Flood cells in the wounds will slowly consume the victim and turn them into quivering, spore-packed blisters.{{Ref/Reuse|PLIF}}{{Ref/Anthology|Id=TML|Evo|Story=The Mona Lisa}} The Flood utilizes the hosts' nervous system and calcium store to mutate its body;{{Ref/Book|AoH|Page=50}} if the infected host has sufficient biomass for self-sustenance, it will mutate neurologically and physiologically into a [[Flood combat form|combat form]].{{Ref/Book|Id=enc11p165|Enc11|Page=165}} The pod infector is capable of augmenting its new body and repair minor damage;{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p408|Enc22|Page=408}} as such, combat forms typically possess unnatural physical strength, perhaps gained through the mutation of the host's musculoskeletal structures.{{Ref/Reuse|enc11p165}} Otherwise, sections of the host's body are consumed and converted into FSC, with much of their internal organs being consumed and replaced with FSC accretions that function as support lattices. Some limbs and sensory organs are retained on the combat form to enable use of tools, weapons, or vehicles; though the pod infector sees the environment using its own sensory organs—often the flexible fronds or antennae on the end of narrow tendrils—while whatever remains of the host's native senses are usually redundant and ignored. Combat forms also tend to retain some of its host's characteristics; sapient hosts are generally made into the most basic version of combat form, simply known as an [[attacker form]],{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p408}} whereas non-sapient hosts are made into [[Flood thrasher form|thrasher]] or [[Flood swarm form|swarm]] forms.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc22p409|Enc22|Page=409}} [[Human]] attacker forms are notably known for their agility and swift movement rather than the heavy and dense frame of the their [[Sangheili]] counterparts.{{Ref/Game|HCEA|Library (feature)|Detail=Human Combat Form}} If its host has been heavily damaged, a pod infector may abandon its host to look for a new one. Conversely, if the pod infector inside an attacker form has been destroyed, but the attacker form itself is intact enough to continue serving its purpose, a loose pod infector may burrow inside the body and replace the one that mutated it, effectively "re-animating" the attacker form.{{Ref/Reuse|H3}}

In some circumstance, the pod infector is unable to completely dominate the original personality and the victim remains fully aware of their irrevocable transformation and their being used as a tool of the Flood. Though their bodies are bent to the Flood's will, occasionally the victim can still whisper for mercy or cry out in pain. More often, the parasite will speak on their behalf, using stolen thoughts and memories as a psychological weapon, terrorizing both the host and anyone unfortunate enough to be within earshot.{{Ref/Reuse|enc22p408}}{{Ref/Game|HW2|Phoenix Logs|Detail=Infected}} This was the fate of [[Wallace Jenkins]] during the [[Battle of Installation 04|Battle]] of [[Installation 04]]; a pod infector had been severely weakened during long periods of hibernation, and while strong enough to take over and transform Jenkins' body, it lacked the force and clarity to completely control Jenkins.{{Ref/Novel|TF|6|Quote=Due to some fluke, some random toss of the galactic dice, the mind that invaded his body had been severely weakened during the long period of hibernation, and while strong enough to take over and begin the work necessary to create a combat form, it lacked the force and clarity required to completely dominate its host the way it was supposed to.}} With the Flood mind weakened, Jenkins survived infection, and even remained conscious, with short periods of time where he could exert control over his mutated body.{{Ref/Novel|TF|10|Quote=Jenkins had used pantomime to request a mirror. A well-meaning Corporal brought one in, held it up in front of the soldier's devastated face, and was frightened when he tried to scream.}}{{Ref/Novel|TF|12|Quote=Jenkins, still unable to speak, managed to mouth the words “thank you.”}}

* In ''Halo Wars'', when Sergeant Forge shoots the pod infectors that were attacking Professor Anders, they do not pop like pod infectors usually do in other appearances. Instead, they simply fall lifelessly to the ground. Similarly, in ''[[Halo Wars 2: Awakening the Nightmare]]'', a spike round pinned a pod infector into the wall.