Jack Cooper Enlistment

Lore & Background

Jack Cooper began his service as a standard ground forces member within the IMC hierarchy. Unlike veteran pilots who undergo years of neural synchronization training, Cooper was deployed primarily for infantry support and squad operations. His assignment to the Battle of Typhon placed him in a high-risk zone where Titan assets were critical for survival against local resistance groups. The defining moment of his service occurred during an orbital drop when his unit's designated pilot fell before they could link with their machine. Protocol dictated that only trained personnel operate Titans, yet Cooper stepped into the cockpit to prevent the loss of valuable hardware. This unauthorized action bypassed standard safety checks but proved effective as he established a combat link through sheer will and instinct. The Titan unit recognized Cooper's genetic signature despite his lack of formal credentials, allowing them to function as a cohesive fighting force. This bond challenged the rigid class structures of IMC warfare, proving that pilot skill could be forged in the heat of battle rather than solely through academy instruction.

In Their Own Story

The drop pod shuddered violently against the Typhon atmosphere. Cooper checked his respirator, the orange glow of his helmet HUD flickering in the dim cabin. The pilot who was supposed to command that machine lay motionless on the floorboards, a casualty of re-entry turbulence. 'Cooper,' the Titan's voice boomed through the internal comms, calm and synthetic. 'Link required.'

He looked at the dead man, then at the open hatch leading to the cockpit. There was no time for hesitation. The ground impact was seconds away. Cooper grabbed the neural interface cable and jammed it into his port. Pain spiked behind his eyes as the machine's consciousness flooded his mind. He wasn't a pilot. But today, he would have to be.

Reader's Guide

During the initial drop sequence, tragedy strikes when the designated pilot is killed in action before they can even establish a neural link. This sudden loss forces Cooper, an infantryman without prior piloting experience, to step into the cockpit immediately. The Titan recognizes his genetic signature despite the lack of proper training procedures. Together they fight through IMC command structures that initially doubt their capability, proving themselves against both Frontier Militia insurgents and rogue AI threats like Scorch. This transition defines Cooper's legacy. He evolves from a standard ground soldier into an elite combatant capable of coordinating Titan warfare alongside his machine partner. His actions ultimately secure the safety of the BT unit and shift the momentum of the conflict on Typhon, marking him as a pivotal figure in the IMC's operations during this critical sector engagement.

Did You Know?

• Cooper was not originally trained to pilot a Titan before his assignment on Typhon.
• The events take place primarily on the desert planet known as Typhon.
• He successfully survives the campaign despite facing overwhelming odds and rogue AI.