Cooper is sentenced to join the military after being arrested by the police for smashing a police car. At Boot Camp, Cooper intentionally picks fights and stirs up trouble, waiting for the day when he's kicked out. Not until Mike Pagodin (Pags) offers Cooper a helping hand on Mars, does Cooper realize the potential of friendship. When Pags is killed by an Alien on Mars, Cooper expresses his anguish in a rare display of emotion.