After they had all eaten their fill of the roasted dark wolf meat, Usato clapped his hands together, drawing the attention of the younger recruits. "Alright, you youngsters. It's been a long day, and we have training before the sun rises tomorrow. Everyone get some rest now." The young ones, despite their earlier excitement, were starting to show signs of fatigue and readily began to settle down in their designated sleeping areas.
Usato then turned to his officers – Kael, Gorthok, Vala, Elara, and Syka – who remained seated around the fire. "Alright, everyone, let's have our strategy meeting for tomorrow. We need to be prepared for our next challenge."
Gorthok, who was already looking comfortable and a bit sleepy, let out a soft groan. "Another meeting? Can't we just… fight them? I'm already feeling heavy-lidded." He mumbled, earning him a collective glare from Syka, Elara, and even a disapproving look from the more stoic Kael. Vala simply raised an eyebrow, a silent admonishment.
Usato chuckled softly. "Gorthok, my friend, that kind of thinking is how battles are lost before they even begin. Remember what I told you about being strategic? Think about the times when a well-laid plan made all the difference, and what happened when we rushed in without thinking. Strategy is what separates us from just being strong individuals; it allows us to work together as a force."
He continued, his tone becoming more serious. "Tomorrow, we'll likely encounter a group of Iron-Backed Apes. We have gathered intel suggesting these creatures are physically powerful, with incredibly tough backs that can likely withstand most conventional attacks. We anticipate encountering around six to eight of them."
Usato then detailed the information they had on the apes. "Their primary strength lies in their raw power and the durability of their backs. This 'iron back' is their defining feature and will be our main obstacle. We need to avoid direct attacks to that area."
He then outlined their potential weaknesses. "However, our understanding suggests that their fronts – their chests, bellies, and faces – are likely more vulnerable. They are also likely to be agile in their preferred terrain, which we need to be mindful of, but their intelligence might not be their strongest suit. They might rely more on instinct and aggression."
Finally, he spoke of their traits. "They are territorial and aggressive. If we enter their domain, they will likely attack. They might also be vocal, using calls to communicate. We need to be prepared for coordinated attacks if they hunt in packs." Usato looked at each of his officers, ensuring they understood the information. "Our strategy for tomorrow will be to utilize our agility and ranged capabilities to our advantage. We will aim to isolate and engage one ape at a time, focusing our attacks on their vulnerable areas. This will also provide an opportunity for the younger, unawakened recruits to gain combat experience in a controlled environment, as we discussed earlier."
"So,," Syka began, her brow furrowed in concentration, "their backs are heavily armored. That means our usual tactics of focusing fire might need adjustment. The archers will need to aim lower, then."
Kael nodded in agreement. "Indeed. And the younger ones with spears will need to be drilled on targeting the legs and underside. We need to disable their mobility first, then focus on the more vulnerable areas."
Gorthok, despite his earlier drowsiness, was now listening intently, picking at the remnants of his meal. "So, no headbutting their backs, got it." He said with a grin, earning another playful nudge from Syka. "Just kidding! But seriously, those backs sound tough. Maybe Vala can scout ahead and find out what kind of terrain we'll be dealing with? Knowing if it's open or filled with trees could change how we approach them."
Vala, who had been listening silently, nodded. "I can do that before sunrise. I'll take Ren with me. His shadow wolf should be able to scout ahead with less risk of being detected."
Elara, the healer, spoke up, her voice soft but practical. "We should also gather some of the herbs we identified earlier, the ones with potential healing properties. We don't know what kind of injuries these apes might inflict, and it's always best to be prepared."
Usato listened to their input, a sense of satisfaction growing within him. They were taking initiative, their individual strengths contributing to a cohesive strategy. "Excellent points, everyone. Syka, ensure the archers understand the need to target the apes' fronts and underbellies. Kael, focus the morning training on low attacks for the spear users. Vala, your scouting will be invaluable. Please proceed with Ren before dawn. Elara, gathering those herbs is a wise precaution."
He paused, looking at each of them. "Remember our primary objective: to train the younger recruits safely while dealing with this threat. We isolate one ape at a time. No one engages without clear signals, and we prioritize the safety of our unawakened members. Understood?"
A chorus of agreements echoed around the campfire. The initial grumbling had faded, replaced by a focused determination. The strategy for the next day was beginning to take shape, a testament to their growing unity and Usato's emerging leadership.
The meeting finally adjourned, a collective sigh of relief washing over the officers, particularly from Gorthok. His eyes widened with an almost manic glee as Usato announced the end. With a speed that belied his size, Gorthok shot to his feet, nearly knocking over his makeshift seat. He clutched his stomach dramatically and with a strangled, "Gotta go!" he bolted towards the darkness beyond the firelight, leaving a trail of dust and a few bewildered glances in his wake. The rest of the officers chuckled and then began to settle down for what remained of the night.
As the hours passed, the camp grew quiet, the only sounds the crackling of the dying embers and the gentle breathing of the sleeping tribe members. The moon traced its path across the sky, and the stars shone brightly in the clear night air.
Dawn eventually broke, casting a pale, golden light across the encampment. Usato emerged from his tent, already dressed and feeling the familiar anticipation of the day's challenges. He surveyed the scene and noticed that while the camp was stirring, only a handful of the tribe members were fully awake and moving. The younger recruits, especially, seemed to be still deep in slumber.
"Syka! Kael!" Usato called out, his voice carrying in the morning air. The two officers, who were already up and tending to preparations, turned towards him. "See to it that everyone is awake. We need to start our training drills before the sun gets too high. Today, we prepare for the Iron-Backed Apes."
Once the gathered tribe members stood in a somewhat groggy formation, Usato's demeanor shifted. The earlier warmth he had shown them vanished, replaced by the stern countenance of a drill sergeant. He addressed them, his voice firm and carrying.
"Listen closely, all of you!" he began, his gaze sweeping over their sleepy faces. "As soldiers, as protectors of our tribe, you must understand that alertness is not a luxury, it is a necessity! What if a band of Bloodfang raiders descended upon us in the dead of night, while you were all still lost in your dreams? What good would your strength be then? What good would your totems be if you were caught unaware, unprepared?"
He paused, letting his words sink in. "From this day forward, you will learn to be ready at all times. Sleep with one eye open, listen to the sounds of the forest, be aware of your surroundings. Complacency is our enemy, and vigilance is our shield! Understood?" A more forceful chorus of "Sir, yes Sir!!" echoed through the clearing.
"Good! Now, let's get this sluggishness out of your systems! We will start with a proper warm-up." Usato then began to lead them through a series of exercises he remembered from his own exposure to military training on Earth. "First, we'll start with push-ups! Everyone down! Remember to keep your backs straight and lower your chest all the way to the ground! We'll do twenty!" He demonstrated the exercise, his movements precise and disciplined.
After the push-ups, he moved on. "Alright, on your backs! Next, we have sit-ups! Lock your hands behind your heads and bring your chest all the way to your knees! Twenty repetitions! Let's go!" He continued to guide them through the basic exercises – jogging in place, arm circles, leg stretches – pushing them to shake off their sleepiness and prepare their bodies for the more rigorous training that would follow. The clearing soon filled with the sounds of exertion and Usato's sharp commands as he molded them into a more disciplined fighting force.