Jack Cooper, a rifleman in the Militia, aspires to one day become a pilot on the front lines of the war against the IMC. Cooper's training is cut short when an attack on the IMC held planet of Typhon is underway. In the initial battle, the Apex Predators, led by Blisk whom are assisting the IMC, mortally wound Cooper's mentor, Captain Lastimosa and incapcitate his Vanguard-class Atlas Titan, BT-7274. As his final action as Captain, Lastimosa transfers authorization of BT to Cooper. After restoring power to the damaged Titan, BT explains Lastimosa's mission Special Operation 217: to rendezvous with Major Anderson and assist in the completion of their original assignment.