Defend Planet/Object X from A : basically as it says, defend a planet/object for some time against a small fleet or two for a period of time till Captain Dickerson comes, or conversly, attack a planet for a smaller fleet of Dickerson's so they can survey it.
Patrol <points> report and return to <start> Just make a loop and kill some baddies, possibly fail if not done in a paticular order or if you don't report back within a certain time.
Deliver ship "Mcursit Dumb" to x advanced cargo mission with cargo that can be destroyed or otherwise sold!
Recuse a Dickerson's Stranded fleet and take them to X could be random mission/transmission or gotten from the board but basically. Get some extra fuel and supplies and save Grand Dickerson! Or... you know, just, kill him afterwards and take that for a small reputation hit, or worse.