I was in the shower this morning, where I do all of my best thinking, and I came up with the framework of a mission. Basically, it's a mining mission that would have multiple potential roles.

Similar to an escort mission, it would be a prolonged attempt to extract some ridiculous amount of ore (like 350-500cu) from a highly dangerous and infested sector.

It could work either of two ways: players could be required to perform the extraction, defended by NPC ships (receive mining XP), or the players defend the NPC ships while they perform the extraction (receive combat XP). Best of both worlds: PCs perform both the extraction and the defense, and receive XP according to their role in the mission.

Is this doable? I think the idea has some potential, but then, I also thought that eating Panda Express last night at 9pm was a good idea.

~D.
"Nigel the Indecently Dressed"

I like this mission idea. I think another way to work it would be to have it be a group mission and the entire group receives mining XP from the mission and individuals in the group receive bonus combat XP from any kills in the target sector (1/2 received weapons XP?).