Confusing Orders

[Drunk, with 50 Reichmarks!]

I have just started playing SH4 after loving SH3! The only confusing thing is that on my first career patrol, after completing the objectives, and running out of torpedoes, I got a message to 'pick another area and patrol, then return to base'.
Do I just return to Pearl? That's a long haul. Any other base is pretty far and only resupplies torpedoes. Do I just keep going out and pick places at random?
When do I end the patrol?

Thanks for any help.

[BillBam]

You must return to what ever your current home port is. This port is IDed by the anchor icon, the one with the tilted anchor is your home port, all other ports with the straight up anchor are for refit only.

[magic452]

If you completed 3 or 4 missions return to Pearl if that is home port.
Running out of Pearl you must watch your fuel. Can refuel at Midway if necessary. A little time compression will get you back pretty quick.

Trick is once you get low on fuel of torpedoes don't call in for a new mission.
Just RTB when you think it necessary.

Welcome to the boat mate.

Magic

[Gibus]

Originally Posted by Drunk, with 50 Reichmarks!

When do I end the patrol?

Despite that SH4 is a game, when I try to respect is real life.
Mush Morton would have done or Dick O'Kane, short of torpedoes?
It would be returned. So do I.