Blade nodded to each and every one of them as they arrived, smiling if smiled at and exchanging pleasantries in a low voice when directed at him, until everyone was seated. Taking a visual note of their gear and equipment, he was impressed that everyone was suitably tooled up and appeared to be in good order. 
"All right, settle down," he said in a firm and loud tone as the last of the group arrived. Tapping a control on his PADD's display, he dimmed the lights and began the briefing.
"Despite what I've mentioned, we're not just out here to hunt rumours and strange stories. There are bandits, raiders, mercenaries and other unconventional forces causing a lot of problem for people living on the outskirts of Landren, and raiding many of the commerce and supply convoys through the area, as well as small settlements and homesteads around the area. Formerly, they hadn't been an issue that couldn't be solved by a well-organized militia, but the last few attacks have been pretty brutal. There's been a lot of advanced tech deployed, and the local commanders and councillors have asked for help from the LDF to put the situation under control, an' find out where this gears' comin' from."
A set of holographic data shimmered into view at the head of the room, showing the far reaches of Landren, and the few settlements clustered in the area. Frontier settlements, slowly growing into larger places and home to many families of farmers, prospectors and other enterprising types. 
"This is the area we'll be operatin' in, and the challenges we'll be up against will include strong magnetic interference, challenging terrain, seismic activity, and changin' weather conditions, as well as persistent dust and grime. All of that oughta make out job pretty demandin'. An' that ain't includin' bein' shot at by whoever we're after, an' anyone else who's there too".
The image shifted again, showing metereological data, geophysical data and various other aspects of information, before shifting to the local area with the [i]Claw[/i] at the middle. 
"We're needin' to do some trainin' first, afore we get there and get inta the serious stuff since we didn't work together 'fore now. So, it's time fer an exercise to see what we can an' can't do. The goal will be simple: Moving at high speed yet remaining covert as we approach and reconnoitre a target. Then strike the target and successfully disable the defenders, while recoverin' hostages an' sensitive information, an' makin' a clean return to the [i]Claw[/i]."
He watched for their reactions, letting the info sink in, and allowing the group a chance to review the info on their PADD's before he launched into the next part of the briefing.
"Th' op will involve us all working t'gether. Initial data will be provided by the [i]Claw,[/i] with Maxwell providin' an overview from above; there'll be surface-to-air threats in the area too, though, so y'all will be relyin' on us as much as we are on y'all too. 
"Threats in th' area will include hostile GEARs an' armoured vehicles, soft-skinned vehicles, an' infantry. All of this will be provided by other LDF units playin' the part of the bad guys, so they'll be gettin' as much outta it as we will. I don't have full info on their numbers an' strength - which means the recon portion of th' op will be genuine. It'll also be where we locate the hostages an' the intel. Then we'll have to combat the enemies' defences, and secure the hostages and extract 'em. Again, where th' chopper will come in. That's a basic outline of the job. It's a challengin' one, an' I know there ain't a great deal of info. But I'm lookin' to see how y'all react to change on the fly, and operate without a full array of info, and how well y'all can get that data when ya need it too. It ain't a test, as such... but I will be takin' it apart afterward ta see what went wrong, and askin' questions about what happened, an' why any of y'all do what you might do". 
He regarded the group, considering their reactions, before he shut off the hologram display.
"I know y'all are gonna have a whole mess of questions about this. But here's what I'm tellin' y'all. Yer GEARs are goin' out equipped for normal multi-role combat, whatever yer standard loadouts have been in the past'll be what's on 'em; mixed range weapons fer the most part. Y'all will be takin' direct orders from me. Though I wanna see some initiative in respondin' to situations, an' everyone watchin' their systems. Michelete will be the 2IC, as she's the only person other than me here who's got any operational experience ta call on. But we'll see how things go on the field before I assign anyone any other responsibilities. Now - any further questions? Make 'em brief - we're leavin' in ten".