A crowd had gathered around the stage, with the executioner's stone at the center.  It looked like everyone from Shell town was there.  That wasn't a surprise.  Effen's marines were nothing if not capable herdsmen.  They were the watch dogs of the new world, after all and more importantly wouldn't make him appear as a weak leader in front of Captain Ruckus.  What would've been a surprise, if anyone had been paying attention to the distant seas were the fleet of marines ships currently making their way towards the island.  

"Is there everyone?"  The captain said.  He, along with his second in command, some of the marines from his ship, and the prisoner, were standing on Effen's left.  

Effen paused before speaking and made a quick glance over to his two assistants, both of which nodded an affirmative.  He tried to suppress a smile while he nodded, but barely managed to keep it down to a short grin.  "It's possible that there are a few people in doors or out somewhere beyond the city, but for the most part yes, this is everyone."

"Good."  The captain said.  He pointed at the area of the stage, just in front of the stone. "You may begin."

As you wish.  Effen gave a brisk nodded before he turned to make his tripe to the center stage, where he belonged.  "Ladies and gentlemen" he said in a loud, clear voice that brought an instant hush among the crowd like a gunshot in the dark.  "Today we are here to celebrate the passing of the old into the new.  At this hour we will begin fresh and sever our ties with the old world, the old era, and the old stage we used to inhabit in history."  The man made a quick motion with his hands and two marines dragged the tiny pirate across the stage and forced her to her knees.  "Today we'll step into the greatest of times the world has ever seen."  The man smiled when Ruckus's marines finally managed to get Rainbow fist's head on the block.  

Effen turned to watch the still figure behind him for a moment before returning his attention to the crowd.  "Great people of Shell town" he threw his hands high up in the air.  "today you should feel proud!  For on this day the Old Marines, the only true marines, begin operation Blackboard."  His smiled widened show much it looked like his mouth could fit in the head of a child's bear.  "Now, don't worry."  He made a waving motion with his hand to indicate that any doubts or concerns on the parts of citizens should be shooed away as nothing more than paranoia.  "This will bring no harm to anyone here.  Even the few" he paused and cleared his throat "bits of criminal element that have somehow managed to slip in through the my guards are more than welcome."  The man's large hands linked up behind his back.  "Because today, my friends, you'll all be made a new.  Today, with the help of some major technological breakthroughs, breakthroughs heading our way this vary moment, everyone here will be fixed."

He stepped aside and motioned towards the figure on the block.  "And to symbolize the severing of that wretched past with this grand, hive like future, I have for you today the execution of one of this world's fallen."  His big hand clutched the bag and ripped it off the pirate's head to show a young woman with blood red hair and eyes still mildly dazed from the constant knocks on the head she's been getting.  "Now," he held his hand out for calm and it came immediately.  "I know a new you might scare some people, but remember there are worst things that a minor tweak in the head."  He patted Abbigaill's luscious red hair.  "Loosing one's head for instance."  He gave a minor chuckle, stopped and narrowed his eyes at several of the marines nearby who quickly gave the most sincere laugh they could under the circumstances.  

"So then."  He motioned for the men charged to give Abbigaill the closest shave of her life to step up.  "Now then pirate" he put his hands on his hips and grinned down at the small woman.  "Is there anything you'd like to say on your behalf?"

Abbigaill blinked for a few seconds before managing to get both her pupils the same size.  Once that was done she looked up at Effen and narrowed her eyes.  "I can see up your nose from here and its disgusting."

"Off with her head!"  Effen shouted.  The executioner's raised their blades for the strike.