With the party figured out, we didn't sit idly by; within a couple of minutes, we had called those we had chosen to form my party inside for a group meeting to ensure we knew what was expected of each other. Thankfully, we have all seen each other around the settlement. It would have been a pain if no one knew each other or knew of each other. From there, we started discussing some basic strategies that I remember from gaming.

With the group I had requested, I think the best option for our excursions is for Strauvana to scout if possible and then hopefully open with Xelyphe charging into a group of people to get their attention right after I cast a shield on her. Gibnic would be in charge of casting his spells into the melee while doing his best to avoid hitting any party members, and Muiress would be doing the same. He will also help with scouting since he has some abilities in that field.

It didn't take long for us to agree that we should train in a field to align our coordination with our goals before we head out. The talk was good, but having experience with this group could have prevented potential slip-ups later.

"Let's head to the Infantry Training Yard and work on our coordination," I suggest to the group. There is a spattering of agreement, with only Gibnic proposing otherwise.

"I think we will be fine; I remember what everyone is capable of during the defense of the settlement. We should be good with going out and dealing with minor threats with no problem."

"But why would you want to risk something like that?" Xelyphe asks him.

"Think about it; we have an overpowered healer that could cast spells for far longer than I could; he also knows the basics of archery and swordsmanship. He doesn't need to cast any spells till he has to. While with the rest of us, we are some of the strongest people in the settlement, if I am not mistaken."

Shaking her head, Xelyphe wants to retort, but I shake my head, signaling for her not to tell him as it isn't our secret to share. "But it would be good to coordinate some of the tactics we have been working on," she continues to try to get him to understand our situation.

"I do get that, but unless we can attack without worrying about killing each other, I think it would be best to go ahead and explore; if not through the fog, then around the settlement should be fine since there haven't been any major sightings of monsters in the immediate area."

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Thinking about it, I consider what he has said, "That isn't a bad idea; I have one request, though, before we proceed with your recommendation."

"What is that?"

"I want to have Draemish with us; she was a high-ranking military officer in her home world and probably has some advice for us as we start to work together."

"That wouldn't be a bad thing considering that she was one of the people that was interviewing us."

Once again, everyone else nodded in agreement with the plan. "Alright, let me go and find Draemish. She shouldn't have gone far."

Heading out, I go to find Draemish, and when I finally see her, she isn't far from one of the tombs. There are several undead soldiers in front of it, and when I approach, they give me a warrior salute, banging their fists over their chests. With the loud clang that results from this, Draemish turns around and looks at me.

"How can I help you, Drake?"

"We have an idea for something to help build teamwork; we want to go out and kill things around the settlement. We would like you to come with us so you can give your insights on building the team better."

"Why me, though?"

"You have the military experience to help give us practical knowledge of what we are doing wrong and the like."

"That is fair, but I want you to know I will only do this for you once. After this, I need to work on something on my own."

"Wonderful. Let me get everyone, and we can meet you at the gate."

"Yes," she answers.

It doesn't take long for us to arrive at the gate as a group. On the way there, I ensure everyone is in the same party. Once we get to the gate, Draemish walks behind us as we do some basic exploration. With Strauvana and Muiress out front to watch for threats, we head towards the hills, which house the goblins we cleared out the other day.

Once we had arrived, we continued to explore this area; nothing popped out that was an issue for the group to handle. With a skeleton here and a zombie there, we cleared them out and proceeded, with everyone ready to try something more challenging.

"Drake, I think you guys will be OK exploring the fog. Head back to the settlement first and grab some food before you head out. I don't want you guys getting hungry out in the field." Draemish states, "I think you guys will be fine, though. Strauvana knows some more tactics if that is needed. Otherwise, I think just more experience together would be best."

Nodding along, I decided that we should explore the fog. Informing the group, we headed back to the settlement, got supplies, and then proceeded to enter the fog.