"Our overall plan has never changed. We're here to disrupt and weaken the rebel forces."
The troopers glance at each other.
"All that changes," you add with a smile, "is the way we accomplish that mission. And with a nimble fighting force like you, I can think of plenty of ways for us to give these rebels a bloody nose."
Your confidence is infectious, and you can see your troopers gather new strength. Amori even manages his usual grin.
So, now you need to actually figure out a plan.
Your forearm display is still jammed, but the map is working well enough to give you a sense of where you are. You're nowhere near your original drop point, or any of your back-up landing zones. The prudent course of action would be to head back, and while part of you wants to continue to search for rebel activity, a larger part of you decides that it's time to get these troopers to safety.
"We're going to direct our patrol northward," you say, pointing in that direction, "to make our way back toward the drop zone. We'll guard against rebel patrols, but our mission is now primarily to observe and report. We don't have the resources to engage every enemy we see."
Your troopers nod, but you see a mix of reactions on their faces. Some of them agree with you, but others are clearly itching for a fight. You admit to yourself that you sympathize with both opinions. You rest for another five minutes, then order your team to move out again, heading north.
Another hour passes as you move through the forest. Your map tells you that you're approaching a crossroads, and already you can hear the occasional rumble of vehicles heading in various directions. You're going to have to traverse one of the roads no matter which direction you choose, and you advance cautiously to take a look.
There are two military trucks parked on opposite corners of the crossroads, with concrete barricades narrowing the road to a single lane. You can see at least six rebel soldiers standing idly around. Every time a civilian vehicle approaches it slows to a stop and the rebels converse with the driver. Each conversation is only moments long, and every vehicle is allowed to proceed. The rebels don't look particularly vigilant.
"Come on, sir," Amori whispers. "We can take these guys and be gone before anyone knows what happened."