This is the first epic mission arc and the first one I've ever done. The rewards, according to the wiki, aren't that great compared to the later epic mission arcs, but I have already earned a few million just from doing 5-6 missions in the arc. Not bad for under an hour of flying around! Pays more than a few level 2 missions.
So far I've only had to jump a maximum of 6 times (3 jumps to the agent and 3 to the mission objective). Really short jumps, a little longer than regular missions. The missions are generally blow something up, investigate something or pick up something and deliver it. Fairly straight-forward. Since this is a first level mission arc, the rats aren't that difficult to fight off, just need a few good drones ;-)