Captain Steel was faced with a difficult decision: Try and outrun the much larger and more equipped warship, or turn, fight and take his chances. Time was not on his side. In sight of Dominica's mountain peek, Steel was aware he had only a few days before he would be face to face with his nemesis.

On the main deck of the Ruby Dagger, Captain Steel gathered his entire crew and informed them of the situation. He had a plan, but it would take a majority vote of the entire crew to put his plan into action. As Steel spoke, he perched himself atop his prized possession, the Chest of Zanzibar.

Ironically, this chest, a labyrinth design of multiple compartments, was actually purchased by Steel, with real pieces of eight, albeit ones stolen from other ships. On a restock and refit in North Africa, Steel eyed the beautiful chest in a local bazaar in Zanzibar. He fancied it for a trophy. Recognizing the modest dwellings of its artisan creator, Steel paid the full asking price without hesitation.

Steel never quite knew how he might use the chest at the time, but here in the Caribbean with the enemy closing in, the Chest of Zanzibar was about to become the centerpiece of his master plan.

Captain Steel laid it out for the crew. Dominica, a relatively egalitarian community, was sympathetic to pirates. For a small fee, Steel knew that the Ruby Dagger would be granted safe harbor and the crew given the opportunity to come ashore.