Hey Skeolan, how are you doing?
1. Start at the Outpost Phase so you can buy/sell, set project and generate an event (looks like I didn't specify this).
2. Yes, more than one mission can take place per cycle but there is a 1 week downtime rule between mission for characters. You could get round this buy swapping in the "B" team of characters or risking exhaustion and stress which are both interesting choices (and valid options) for the players could make if sightings are disappearing.
Thanks for posting, the questions are all good feedback. Let us know how the game sessions go, this is the first playthrough 'in the wilds' as far as I know.