Miriam was smiling at the memory, but I recognized the sad, almost haunted look in her eyes as she briefly remembered family, friends, and people she ...worked with BSB. The look went away quickly. Like everyone else, she’d learned not to dwell on the past. Rather, remembering to live in the present. The melancholy could swallow you like a quagmire and was just as difficult to escape.“You asked about your troops?” she said shaking off the melancholy. “I’ve seen nearly a full battalion, about a 5:1. Sally knew that the command to drop anchor would come any second now.“Drop anchor!”Sally touched the release that let the anchor drop. They were still a good ways off shore, but with the large boat and the shallow bottom of the bay, this was about as close as it was safe to approach the shore. Sally moved away from the anchor and started helping to secure the boat for a long-term stay. Although three or four days might not seem like a long term stay, it was a long time for a boat of that size. As he turned, his dirk had come up and was now resting just under the breastbone of the animal as it stood on its hind legs. He knew if it really was attacking it would have bitten first. It still might, he reasoned, but a quick thrust would drive the dirk, designed as it was to pierce anything up to plate armor, under the ribs and into the beast's heart.For a moment they stood there staring at each other. Finally the dog dropped to the ground and turned back to the vest lying on the floor.. One of three girls he had hired to give the place a more friendly face. In public dealing, that is important.Almost from day one, I had found myself attracted to her. She was about 5 ft 4 with jet black silky hair. Big dark brown eyes and a very fair complexion. She had a slim build but well proportioned with small firm breasts, good hips and a thin waist.I had asked her for a date that day, and she had agreed. It had surprised me at first. I was sure it would take some effort to persuade her.