Journal: Jan. 01
We’ve been here all of 9 hours and have managed to not only get a manticore flying but have also made contact with New Jericho and Synedrion havens. The Synedrion place had an aircraft sitting on the airfield so we decided to take it. So much for thinking our first mission together would be easy!
The initial defenders were challenging but use of cover and a dead-eyed sniper held them down long enough until they were either dead or panicked. Cruel. Yes. But if humanity is to survive, the petty squabbles of the factions must end.
The real challenge came when we started up the aircraft and a swarm of defenders came running in from somewhere. Luckily, we managed to wound enough to keep them busy healing. 
[Not bad for the first 9 hours. By far the most difficult battle I’ve fought. It required use of cover (and not standing at the edge of full but back so that you could not be seen)(yes, less shots, but life!) and combined fire. The Synedrion snipers were exceptionally frightening on a first mission. Luckily, one missed all 3 of it’s initial shots!]
Nice experience gain (600 points for the mission)! Why the aircraft so soon? The plan is to split the initial team into two pairs and double my explorations. Can two survive the initial smarmy swarm of melee Pandorans? Tune in to the same Phoenix channel soon!