John drives the damaged escape car through the safe house garage door. Cash and gold remain secured beneath the service coverings as the engine ticks hot.
Jesse steps out armed, dust-streaked and wounded, the penthouse shard mark visible against his battered appearance. John stays beside the driver’s door.
Jesse
You killed the watcher. That violates the High Table’s rules on civilians, and I warned you clearly.
John Cavier
He made the call and put the operation at risk. I kept the bank contained, got us out, and secured the take.
The office door opens above the garage. Corsio Angelico steps onto the metal stairs, his broad frame filling the landing as reports of the five-star escape reach him.
Corsio Angelico
Enough. The robbery succeeded, but a civilian is dead, police are searching Los Angeles, and five stars now follow 7 Aces.
Corsio Angelico
Jesse, state the violation. John, explain why the High Table should not hold this crew accountable.
✓ Quest Accepted
Resolve John's High Table violation
✓ Quest Accepted
Preserve 7 Aces' working bond
Director's note
Jesse raises his colt 1911 at John
“Instead of securing a nearby security he resulted to murder wich lead to us getting caught by the cops. This in in violation of the high tables rules and constitutes an immediate removal of status as well as death.”
SUCCESS (Superb Willpower, rolled +0)
Jesse raises his Colt 1911 toward John across the garage. The weapon stays steady, while the damaged car ticks behind them and police sirens fade beyond the safe house.
Jesse
John violated the High Table by murdering a civilian instead of securing him. Strip his status immediately and sentence him to death.
John Cavier
You’re putting this on me after I got us out? I made the call that kept the operation alive.
Corsio Angelico
The rule is plain. Civilian murder without authorization voids protection. John Cavier, your 7 Aces status is removed now.
Corsio descends the stairs and takes the authority token from John’s jacket. John’s access, protection, and standing end with the gesture.
Corsio Angelico
The High Table confirms the death sentence. John leaves this house alive only long enough for the sentence to be carried out.
Two armed 7 Aces members appear at the garage entrance and take John away under Corsio’s order. The sentence proceeds off-camera, while Jesse remains facing Corsio with the pistol raised.
Quest Complete
Resolve John's High Table violation
− Story Quest Removed
Preserve 7 Aces' working bond
“I will carry out the sentence myself bring John back here at once”
SUCCESS (Superb Willpower, rolled +1)
Jesse
Bring John back here at once. I will carry out the sentence myself.
The Colt 1911 remains trained across the garage as Jesse gives the order. Corsio studies him, then turns toward the departing guards.
Corsio Angelico
Bring him back. Jesse will carry out the High Table’s sentence under my authority.
The two armed members stop John in the corridor and escort him back into the garage. His hands are restrained, and his anger has hardened into wary silence.
John Cavier
You want to do this yourself? After everything I just pulled you through?
John is positioned several paces from Jesse, beneath the harsh garage lights. Corsio remains on the stairs, watching the sentence become Jesse’s responsibility.
Corsio Angelico
He is here. The ruling stands, and the witnesses are present. Decide how you will fulfill it.
Director's note
Jesse raises his pistol at John
“John I give you 1 mineute to say any last words before I carry out this sentence.”
SUCCESS (Superb Willpower, rolled -1)
Jesse
John, you have one minute to say your last words before I carry out the sentence.
The garage falls quiet except for the cooling engine and distant sirens. Corsio remains on the stairs while the restrained John stands beneath the harsh lights.
John Cavier
Then hear me clearly. I broke the rule, but I did not betray 7 Aces. I kept the bank contained and got the loot out.
John Cavier
That watcher was reaching for a phone. I made the call that gave us a chance. You can condemn me, Jesse, but do not pretend I wanted civilians dead.
A wall clock marks the passing seconds. John’s voice loses its swagger, leaving only the restrained figure, the armed witnesses, and the sentence awaiting completion.
John Cavier
My last words are simple: remember who stood beside you when the work turned bad. If you do this, at least carry the truth with you.
Corsio Angelico
The minute is nearly finished. Jesse has heard your account. The ruling remains, and the authority to fulfill it is his.
Director's note
Jesse pulls the trigger but shoots John in a non lethal spot knocking him unconciouse but not killing him. No one knows except for Jesse
The clock marks the final second. Jesse’s Colt remains trained on John beneath the garage lights, with Corsio and the armed witnesses watching.
Jesse pulls the trigger. The shot strikes John in a non-lethal spot, and he collapses against the concrete, unconscious as the pistol report rolls through the garage.
Corsio Angelico
Status.
John lies motionless, breathing shallowly. From the stairs, Corsio cannot see the exact injury, only the result and the weapon still steady in Jesse’s hand.
Corsio Angelico
Check him. If he lives, the sentence is incomplete. If he dies, the ruling is fulfilled.
One armed 7 Aces member kneels beside John and checks for signs of life, while the other keeps his weapon trained toward the garage entrance.
Corsio Angelico
Jesse, report exactly where you placed that shot. The High Table will demand an answer.
✓ Quest Accepted
Preserve John's life under Corsio's judgment
Director's note
Jesse points the gun at the guards and kills them both
Director's note
Jesse points the gun at corsio
“corsio I’m done being under your ruling I’m done with this life.”
FAILURE (Superb Willpower, rolled -4)
Jesse
Corsio, I’m done being under your ruling. I’m done with this life.
Jesse swings the Colt toward the two armed witnesses and fires twice. Both guards collapse, leaving the garage abruptly silent around John’s unconscious body.
The attempt to reject Corsio’s authority becomes another blood-bound act of 7 Aces. The exit from that life closes behind Jesse instead of opening.
Jesse turns the pistol toward Corsio on the stairs. The crime lord raises neither hands nor voice, but his expression hardens as the ruling becomes an armed standoff.
Corsio Angelico
You call it freedom while standing over three bodies and pointing a weapon at me. The High Table will call it betrayal.
Corsio Angelico
Lower the pistol, Jesse. John is alive, the guards are down, and now every witness to this sentence is gone except us.
“Jesse lowers the pistol. “I’m glad we see it the same corsio. I needed to do this I hope you understand John is like a brother even though he made a mistake.”
SUCCESS (Superb Willpower, rolled +0)
Jesse
Corsio, I’m glad we understand each other. I needed to do this. John is like a brother to me, even though he made a mistake.
Jesse lowers the Colt from Corsio and lets his arm hang at his side. The garage remains tense, with John unconscious on the concrete and the two guards motionless nearby.
Corsio Angelico
I understand loyalty, Jesse. I also understand what it costs when loyalty challenges the High Table.
Corsio descends the remaining stairs without reaching for a weapon. His attention moves from Jesse to John, measuring the difference between mercy, defiance, and a sentence carried out on personal terms.
Corsio Angelico
You spared him, then turned on my witnesses and pointed that pistol at me. That was not surrender. It was a declaration.
Corsio Angelico
But John is alive, and you lowered the weapon when I ordered it. Tell me what you intend to do with him now.
Quest Complete
Preserve John's life under Corsio's judgment
Attribute Upgrade: Willpower Superb→Legendary