[i] Abandoned Zeon outpost Theta 2-7[/i]

It was silent inside the outpost. but in a way, it was welcome. The outpost had been one of hundreds abandoned in the wake of the One Year War, even after seven years of searching the Earth Federation had only found roughly a fifth of these bases constructed either out of ship husks from the battle of Loum or Operation British, others were built into hollowed out asteroids once they were drained of all their mineral resources. For Marcus Jackson, his domicile was one of the latter. Using his mercenary pay and whatever he could scavenge from the various wrecks of his targets, Marcus was able to live a meager, if unfulfilled existence. He sat in the pilots lounge sipping a cup of coffee, reading news reports while he waited for his next job offer to arrive.

[i] 'Nothing much in the way of conflicts, things seem to really be dying down. All of the main Zeon forces retreated to Axis or Mars or Venus... Maybe it's time. Time to sell off the Abfan to Anaheim, get a pretty price for the bounty Anaheim had for a Zudah. I guess I could give this u-'[/i] His thoughts were interrupted by the chime of his comm. 

"Huh? Priority transmission from... the Titans?" This couldn't have been right, anytime Marcus was hunting Zeon or Decepticon remnants, it always came from Federation Fleet HQ, not the Titans.

Opening the channel Marcus was greeted with the goggled tanned face of Bask Om, one of the highest ranking Titans members. While he couldn't tell the mans expression very well he got the feeling Om wasn't happy to be doing this. "As I understand it, you're the mercenary that's been active for almost four years." Marcus nodded, "You're correct Mr.Om." Bask's demeanor seemed to slightly relax, "Good. You come highly recommended to me from the Federation regulars, I'm contacting you because I've been told you're a person capable of discretion and that you've been able to not only track Decepticons, but kill them." Marcus kept a neutral expression outside, on the inside he was cringing. Yes he had killed Decepticons before, but they were low rankers, Bask was sounding like he wanted someone higher up killed. He'd still take the job, but he'd be in for a very tough job. "I have been able to kill Decepticons before yes, but this isn't something easily done." to Marcus' surprise Bask nodded, "I'm not asking you to do this alone, you'll be working with a Mobile Suit squad, they'll be at your disposal." This set off warning bells in Marcus' mind. "A squad? You're giving me an awful lot of Leeway here Om. I know there are more capable pilots out there and they're within your ranks, why come to me, a mercenary, off of the praise of some Federation officers." Bask heaved a great sigh. "Because I know that you're capable of keeping your mouth shut, the situation calls for someone who can do that. Less than twelve hours ago we experienced a... situation. One of our bases reported a sudden appearance of two Decepticons. We've never seen their archetypes nor do they look like any of the Decpticons we encountered over the years." There was the reason for all the weird priorities. "Meaning if the public thinks the Decepticons are back and they're stronger it'd cause a panic." Om pointed, "Now you get it, do you accept? You will be covered for all costs and paid generously." Marcus paused for a moment... "Yes I will, where's my RV?" Om grinned, " I had a feeling, meet up in the shoal zone at L4 in six hours, a Salamis Kai will be waiting for you."

Marcus cut the comm and began getting ready to move out. [i]'And just like that I'm off for what could be my last job.'[/i] 

An hour later Marcus was in his old Zeon flight suit, the Zudah Abfanjager waiting in the nearly barren hangar. Marcus kicked off the railings to float up to the Zudah's monoeye. "Ready my old friend?" No response came from the Zudah. Marcus shook his head, getting into the cockpit, ready to head out.

"Here's hoping I didn't bite off more than I could." the Zudah flew out of the hangar, rocketing into space.