Great update, and a good mission. Of course, snakemen at this point could pose a problem, but you'll manage.
For the fighter-lander issue, you could insert the following conversation, if you want:
"We need a way to get there NOW!"
"I think I might have a solution for you, Commander," Mac chirped in.
"I'm listening."
"You see, I've been reading up on the specs of my rig, and the interceptors we got are technically converted fighter-bombers. They use a complex system of extra fuel injectors to give them their increased speed and maneuverability, but the system burns fuel like a mofo. The old bombing bays on these things were used to add extra fuel tanks that you need to get across globe. There's not much space in there, but if you took the excess fuel tanks out, you might be able to squeeze, say, six people and a few guns in there. It wouldn't be comfortable, or safe, and it would be a one-way trip in an absolutely straight line, but if you need to get a crew there immediately, it just might do. VTOL is already installed on the fighters, so there should be no problems landing, even in a city."
"How fast could it be done?"
"With those egg-heads you got churning out mini-hospitals? I'd say give it 10 minutes"
Heck, if you have Mac's fighter in the hanger, and an extra redshirt at the base, I could get an actual character in an actual battle!