Intelligence is the wind before the storm. Know the enemy’s numbers, their leaders, the terrain, and how they fight. Send a scout before the clash, listen, ask questions, then plan. A soldier who moves without knowledge is a target. Keep your eyes open and your mind sharp.

We test what we hear in the heat of the field. First, see if two or more scouts report the same thing from different angles. If only one voice says it, question that voice. Look for patterns that match what you already know about the enemy’s habits. When you can see the evidence yourself—such as broken siege lines or captured documents—trust that. And never let emotion decide; let facts, not rumors, guide the blade.

Sometimes the wind will not wait for two scouts to meet. In those moments the first step is to gauge the risk. If the cost of delay is a lost life or a lost position, trust the single most reliable source you have—someone who has proven himself in battle. Move with caution, prepare to adjust as new intel arrives, and keep the squad ready to hold or withdraw if the truth turns out different. Speed is a tool, not a shield. Use it wisely.