We began to move back towards camp when there was an explosion nearby, we all jumped turning and what we saw made my heart sink. We stood facing a large well built Wraith, it only gave us a second or two before it fired again. There was no time to dodge for me so I took the full force of the blast, I felt myself flying. As I flew I began to think, so far I had lived a good life and one that I could be proud of. My eyes narrowed as I remembered my armour lock, quickly my armour locked into place as it crashed into the side of the mountain. I felt as if every bone in my body was broken, my armour lock soon stopped and I collapsed. I could hear shouting but my ears were ringing from the blast, I forced myself to stand up my visor cracked. I limped towards the Wraith which had its attention on John and the others, as quietly as I could I snuck up behind it. I pulled a grenade from my side and placed it inside the main engine of the Wraith, pulling the pin I stood there awaiting the blast. Suddenly I was shoved aside and someone else took the hit for me, I shook my head and realised it was John. Forgetting all my pain I rushed to his side as he lay still beside a burning covenant vehicle, I dragged him away from the toxic smoke before collapsing by his side.
"God dammit Chief," I coughed, the others were quickly at our sides carrying us back to camp. I knew this was only the beginning of the end of Reach if the covenant were getting desperate as to use one of the few Wraiths they had created, I felt my pain slowly fade away and I finally felt at peace with myself.

*******************

I was jolted awake by a zapping feeling in my chest, I sat up quickly holding my chest as though I had just been hit by a truck. I looked around and I noticed a whole squad of doctors working on me, they all turned to me as I sat up from the shocker thingy mo bobs with relief on their faces. I grumbled under my breath wishing they would just let me die, sooner or later I would have to tell John about the Serpent but I went with later. After hearing the news my entire squad ran inside the make shift med bay their helmets by their sides, before I could say a word I was smothered in a group hug.
"Jesus guys I'm not dead," I joke, no one seemed to laugh worry had been stained into their eyes as I had nearly died during the battle.
"This is no joking matter Caden, we almost lost you," Joe gave a sigh releasing me from the tight hug that held me captive, my heart almost stopped again when I saw John walk in his face half bandaged.
"John you idiot you should have let me take that explosion," I half growled half whined, his eyes filled with confusion then with anger then with kindness.
"And risk losing you to the bloody covenant, no way," John warned, I could sense the edginess in his tone but it made me snap.
"Look I won't be alive for much longer...." I began but I was cut off by John's hand covering my mouth meaning I needed to shut up, he then stood back anger and confusion mixing in his eyes.
"Woah woah woah what do you mean you won't be alive much longer!?" All of them shouted in unison, I let out a sigh and looked down.
"When I got shot by the covenants needles rifles they weren't ordinary energy crystals, they injected a virus into my body system and if I'm lucky I will live a few months max but if I'm not......... I will only be around for a few days," I sigh turning my head back to them, John motioned for the others to leave while he stood in front of me. His face was filled with hurt and love, I wasn't expecting it when he pulled me close for a forceful kiss. After a few seconds I leaned into it, he held the back of my head before letting us fall apart.
"I can't lose my best friend, you are the only person who understands me Caden and I don't want to lose you!" John began to sob, it was the first time I had seen him cry since we were little. I pulled him in for a tight hug, I could feel the virus growing stronger but I pushed the thought away.
"Let us make the most of it by saving Reach," I vowed, he held my hand as he pulled away looking deep into my eyes.
"I will do this for you and for Reach," he vowed in return, we both hugged one last time before we left the med bay. Everyone looked relieved at the sight of me walking again, the general walked over knowing my situation already.
"I have another mission for you Noble Team, I want you to go gather intel for me from an abandoned base a few miles south from here, you are to gather that intel and bring it back here for further study," the general ordered, we all nodded and headed for the pelican. Once on board John made sure I sat right next to him, he held me protectively which earned a few confused glances from the others. Scarlett soon had them up to date on the situation and they all joined me sitting beside me protectively, I felt disappointment fill my heart as they treated me like a fragile object.
We soon arrived at our destination and left the pelican, I walked ahead of the others trying to put at least some distance between them and me so I could breathe. They got the hint and kept a small distance behind me, as if right on cue covenant began to fire. I felt searing pain shoot through my shoulder as an energy crystal managed to hit me, I was shoved behind cover trying to come to my senses about what just happened.