Need help with details concerning non-conventional sci fi vampires

I would like to create a sci fi human faction that resemble vampires without many of the past tropes while reimagining some for a sci fi feel. I would like to avoid any magic and fantastical abilities.

I got some inspiration reading this article: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/amp/321780

Basically humans afflicted by rabies exhibit some classical vampire traits. Such as wanting to spread infection through bites and aversion to sunlight. I would like a vaguely plausible vampire-like creature that exhibits increased strength, need for long regenerative rest in spaceship sleeping pods and increased life span while remaining a virus that infects others through a bite.

Would it be beneficial for the virus to prolong the life of the being it has infected? By what biological process could a virus increase the strength of the infected and to what benefit?

If we imagine an exploratory unit investigating a planet possibly harbouring new life. They encounter a group of vicious flying mammals that could resemble rabid bats. On their way back from the mission the explorers begin to infect the crew of the exploratory craft through uncontrollable biting. They will have to hide their affliction once back on their home planet. I will need a reason they would want to embrace their new desires - the obvious ones would be anti aging and possibly greater strength. I understand that rabies kills the victim eventually but in this case would like a reason why the virus / disease? would possibly extend the life of the infected and invigorate them.

Instead of coffins I could imagine they sleep in cryogenic pods for some reason.

Aversion to sunlight could just be an unwanted side effect of the space virus.

So would love very much if anyone could provide a reason why a rabies-like virus could prolong the life of the infected and a mechanism for increasing the Vitality and strength of the virus carrier.

Thank you for reading.

All pretty unoriginal, I know but below I have added my reasoning for wanting such a creature:

The following is not important but how I arrived at the answers in seeking. My nephew is into Warhammer 40k war gaming and wants me to play. I wanted a good villain for him to fight against but none of the published armies really appeal to me and I'm far too logical and rational to connect with the 40k fantasy setting. I bought some boxes of mind of various factions as I kept changing my mind. With my assortment of Harlequins (space elf ninja performers) and strangely, Cawdor Necromunda gangers (masked rag-tag humans) I stumbled upon a crazy idea. My army would be a Rogue Trader entertainment vessel that offers artistic performances (amongst other things such as exotic weaponry) for the insanely rich. Now all I needed was a reason for these to be villains. I realised that there isn't really a classic vampire race since 40k was based off it's fantasy counterpart. I imagine that once entertained, the guests would be wined and dined then consumed in an orgy of bloodlust. The vessel's crew would likely make planet fall then continue in the shedding of blood. Warhammer 40k's gothic imagery really suit a vampiric feel, as do rogue traders (space bound nobles) with their bloodlines and dynasties. Although the Chaos faction would offer similar appeal I don't really like the idea of space gods that feed off emotions.

Q: Why could a rabies-like virus prolong the life of the infected and provide a mechanism for increasing the Vitality and strength of the virus carrier?

posted almost 6 years ago

Mind of Cubozoan‭

1 reputation 1 0 0 0