There was a knock on the door. James turned his head and called the person in, infinitely weary of this day and wishing it would soon be over. One of his lieutenants stuck his head around the door, he wasn't sure what his name was, and informed him that the prisoners were ready to be inspected. Sighing, he checked that his uniform was all in place and put his tricorn back on. Duty calls.

The pirates had been assembled on the deck and were being lined up by various soldiers when James arrived. He could see Elizabeth arguing with one of the pirates and decided to start at the other end of the line, giving her as much time as he could. He drew up alongside the first of the pirates, he seemed to have some authority amongst the rabble and James patiently asked him if he could get the men to roll up their sleeves so that he might inspect their forearms. He complied and the action was repeated down the line. Silence descended on the men as the Commodore began his inspection. The first man had no tattoo, that was clear, nor did the next five or so. The seventh man had a suspiciously placed armband but James decided to give him the benefit of the doubt. So did the next two. His patience began to wear thin, but he managed to retain himself for Elizabeth's sake. Elizabeth was still arguing with the man and waving around a scrap of cloth in front of him – James ignored her, as did the pirate. The tenth man had a nasty, fresh looking burn on his left arm and James let him go. Finally he came to the eleventh, the chap Elizabeth had been arguing with. He was taken aback at his appearance, he was a large man, one whom James would not have liked his odds against in anything other than a fair fight or battle of wits. He proudly displayed his forearms; on both was the pirate brand. Elizabeth closed her eyes in defeat. James contemplated "not" seeing them, but before he could make a decision the man spoke:
"Those are pirate brands, Commodore, just in case you had forgotten what they looked like. Unlike these cowards," he turned, snarling at the rest of Sao Feng's men, "I am proud to die for what I am; you have not the guts to do anything about it."

James nodded simply, bellowing to his men, "Set up the gallows." The man's face remained impassive, but James fancied who could see a flicker of recognition in his eyes.

Elizabeth seized his arm tightly, but he ignored her, telling Turner to set the other ten up in a dingy – they were free to go. The redcoats brought out a wooden stool and a thick rope. A sailor shimmied up the rigging, looping it over the branch of the mast and below one of his old Navy men tied it into a noose. The crew began to assemble, looking decidedly uncomfortable and fearful – James wondered just how many of them had pirate brands? James freed himself from Elizabeth and walked over to wear the pirate was being held as they readied the noose.

"Any last requests?" James asked, knowing what sort of answer he would get. The man grinned at him and before James realized what he was doing, he spat at him – thankfully the gob of saliva hit only his boot.

"Fine then," he sighed, why did he always try to reason with them? "As a representative of the King, I find you guilty of piracy and sentence you to death by hanging. May God have mercy on your soul."

It had been a long time since James had himself given the order for execution – though not long enough. He walked back to Elizabeth and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. He would have like for her to go back to his quarters, but he knew she would refuse. The pirate stepped onto the stool and one of the redcoats placed the noose around his neck. Turner had the unfortunate duty of performing the execution, and after a moment, looking for one last confirmation from his commander, kicked the stool out from underneath him. Elizabeth moaned and buried her head into his chest, clasping his hand tightly between hers. James lowered his eyes but he could still hear the choking of the man, even the sea seemed to have fallen silent. The moans and sound of thrashing continued. Realizing this could be a long death he pulled his hand free of Elizabeth once more and reached for his pistol, and looking the pirate in the eyes, he fired. Let none say that he was not merciful. James dropped the pistol to the deck and made for his cabin with Elizabeth – the shot still ringing over the sea.