All of mine have been out on missions at this point (I'm going to just count Lydia's prologue as a mission for Ric since it basically is one, just run by Tifa).

Aedan - level 6.
Klaus - level 6.
Alaric - level 5.
Adam - level 4.

Option #2 all around for my boys, unless another opportunity opens up to join main plot. Klaus could reprise his guest spot or I can ship off someone else as needed.