Surprised by the news, Rustico orders to punish the cavalry patrols for not inform the enemies position. Then adresses the soldiers:

Citizens!

I am willing to fight and defeat the aetolians, just as all of you. The time to revenge our dignity will come very soon... But right now it is not the moment. It is obvious that we are outnumbered. We all know that they are barbarians without proper training and, after all, they represent no match to us. However, the gods have not spoken yet. We can not start a battle without gods permission!

Anyway, this not means that we will not defend ourselves. This is what we will do:
1- The army will split in three parts WITHIN the castra. One part shall defend our northern and eastern gates. 1,000 cavalrymen are to be here.
2- Another part will build defenses to the southwest and reach the coast (ditches, etc.)*. The third part will defend them.

This will give us access to the sea to wait not only the rest of our legiones, but also the carthaginian aux. Once they join us, we will revenge our fellow citizens!

Porcius & Pauo! Deliver this sealed letter to the epiran army commander immediatly!

If the aetolians do not break formation nor try to seige us, assaulting it, the army will reunite inside and defend the four gates at all cost, as traditional. If they try to seige us, the works (before described) shall continue day and night, along the usual guards.

* I remember C. Julius Caesar doing something similar at "Civil war".