Bantu Wind Bow

The bow of the Bantu Wind tramp steamer juts toward the German U-boat Wurrfler across choppy daytime seas. Katanga and his pirate crew plant themselves here, shoulders squared, and fire defiant salutes at the sub's conning tower. Deck planks groan under their boots as they hold position, mere yards from the periscope's cold gaze and a captain's finger hovering over the torpedo controls. Salt spray stings faces amid the standoff's electric hush, where one command could turn wood to splinters.