This plot as a whole is intended as a fun lark to bridge time between finding a consciously Transport-driven solution as has been perculating in the community since October began.
The change to Earth has happened as of the AI's announcement, and the scouting mission down will be in the first part of this coming week. Actually going down as a majority will be early December!
....and of course the uniform lightning wears on missions is a short skirt and shorts. though I'll admit to laughing at the idea of the transports being sent down being dropped in a snowbank.
Oh man signups are exploding... have you considered adjusting signups so that people can sign up in advance to go in the second round? Or do you want that to be open for new players