'What the hell's that?!'' They all turned to look. Through the gloom, about sixty metres away, riding one of the massive waves, was another vessel, part sail, part motorised. A mast on the stern displayed a Somalian flag. On the foredeck, what looked like a big whaling gun stood out threateningly.

'Oh bloody hell,' Justin said.

'Pirates?' Billy questioned.

'Could be,' Zachary responded.

Nathaniel grabbed the binoculars. 'There's a big gun on the fore-deck,' he said, then handed the bins to his father.

'They're a long way from home,' Zachary responded, as he fiddled with the focusing.

'They know there's not going to be many patrol boats out this far, in this weather,' Nathaniel said. 'They'll reckon there's a good chance of catching out a few unsuspecting travellers, blown off course, like us.'

'What the hell do we do now?' Damien shouted.

'We could jump overboard and try to swim for it, but I don't recommend it,' Nathaniel replied with a snarl.

Zachary said, 'If they are pirates they may not be interested in us. We don't exactly look like rich pickings.'

'Let's hope you're right,' Billy responded.

They could see the name 'Sara' in bold letters on the side of the other vessel's fore deck.

'She's coming this way,' Nathaniel said next.

'Oh Lord,' Damien responded.

'Just keep calm,' Zachary said. 'There's no way they could board us in this sea.'

However, very slowly, the Sara closed in on the Addela at a forty five degree angle. Gradually she caught them up and then cruised parallel to them at a distance. Both boats continued to roll precariously in the incessant waves.

'Go away you bastards,' Billy shouted out and shook his fist. Nathaniel looked at him disdainfully.

Then the cockpit door of Sara opened and out stepped a tall, thin, dark skinned man, wearing a yellow oilskin top. He was attached to a lifeline. From inside someone passed him a rifle.

'What the bloody hell now?' Billy said. His question was answered almost instantly. The man pointed what appeared to be an AKM assault rifle in the air, aimed it over the top of the Addela and fired off two rounds.

'Christ almighty!!' Damien exclaimed as he ducked his head. 'They're going to kill us. Have we got any guns?'

* * * * *

The recent history of Somalian pirates goes back to the early part of the twenty first century. Many of them are ex-fishermen who claim they have been unable make a living because of illegal fishing and the dumping of toxic waste in their coastal waters by foreign vessels. They maintain they have no national coastguard and therefore have to take on this role themselves. They say any ransom money received is used to renovate their rapidly degenerating coastal towns, and provide water, electricity, education and alternative work facilities for the local inhabitants. While some of this is true, it also a fact that massive crime syndicates have flourished there as a result of pirating. There are many instances of dollar billionaires, building and living in Hollywood style mansions out of the proceeds. Providing the armaments and weapons associated with the trade has also become a major industry along the coast.

* * * * *