"Noooo!" screamed Metaxa, but it was too late, as Woof's Bat'leth came down on the Bolian's neck, severing his head from his torso. All everyone could do is watch in horror as Bott's head rolled on the ground.
Woof turned to the other members of the Syndicate, with blood dripping from his Bat'leth, and said, " Ok, who's next to meet his maker?" Turning to his comrades, Woof shouted, "Lets get them", and they made to charge them. The remaining Syndicate members, having no stomach for a fight, and seeing they were up against superior opposition, threw their knives down on the ground and fled.
"No match for us, were they?" boasted Woof, watching the Syndicate members disappear down the alleyway.
"Woof!" said Metaxa sternly, "Was there any need for that?" pointing to the decapitated body of Dalton Bott.
"Every need!" was his only reply, giving Metaxa a stare, before walking over to his wife. "Are you okay, Stargazer?" he asked as he hugged her in a loving embrace.
"I'm fine Woof, though a little shocked," she said nervously.
Woof held her by the shoulders, nodded his head in the direction of the prostrate figure of the Bolian, and asked her "Would you rather it was me?"
Phoenix Stargazer said nothing, but only shook her head.
Woof then walked over to where Duxeal was standing and faced his friend. "I'll have that explanation now Duxeal, if you please" he demanded.
"I'm sorry Woof" Duxeal began, "Everything was on a "need-to-know" basis. Stargazer was on temporary attachment to us because of her shape-changing abilities. She was in no danger. Okay, I lied to her when I told her that you knew of her involvement, but we needed a cloak of secrecy"
Woof, with his arms folded across his chest, pondered for a moment, nodded, and then said, " Fair enough, Duxeal .It was in Starfleet's interests, but if any harm became of Stargazer, you would have had to answer to me"
"Yes I know, old friend" was Duxeal's only reply.