I play with AI to AI activation mod. Sometimes factions appear on Stranded missions, where you have to reach the VIP and escort him back to the evac. Thing is, with AI to AI activation mod, it is a guaranteed failure, since Lost will always activate the faction and faction will always shoot the VIP in the first round of combat. It's not even about difficulty, as I could easily kill the faction pod in the time given, I simply don't have any way to prevent this. This occured to me 4 or 5 times. Alternatively, any behavior that would stop faction shooting VIP before they are activated? It works for aliens, they don't shoot VIPs in Gather Survivors mission, even if they stand next to them.