Multiple machete blades struck at the tendrils cutting deeper into the flesher. Encouraging the engineers to swing away at an even more frantic pace. Beads of sweat ran down their faces, along the backs of their necks and drenched the tunics of their uniforms.
But they didn't mind, they were just glad that the stubborn tendrils which had entangled themselves to the starships's landing pods, preventing it from taking off were finally giving way. They were tired but understood the urgency of the work at hand to even for a second though they were exhausted. They were all of one mind on the need to get the work done as as fast as they could do they could. They would safely rest once the Sandawana had been freed from the entanglements of the tendrils.
One hand would from time to time go up to wipe away at the sweat on the brow while the other hand firmly gripping the machete would keep swinging away at the tendrils. Striking blow after blow, feeling the blade cut deeper into the flesh with satisfaction. If they kept up the momentum it wouldn't be long before the tendrils hold on the landing pods would be broken.
Watching the action on the giant monitor's big, on the bridge, captain Lucinda felt useless as she set in the commander's chair. She wished there was something she could do, but switching from the sweating engineers hacking away with machetes at the tendrils which had entangled themselves onto the landing pods, to the fierce fighting pitting the security team blocking the Drachalian spirited attempts at advancing towards the grounded starship, she knew she would be out of her depth in either scenario.
She needed to do something to help. After a bit of contemplating she wiped her communicator from the utility belt at her waist.
"This is acting captain Lucinda. We are about to break free from the tendrils holding the Sandawana. What we need right now are fresh hands to help finish cutting off the tendrils as the engineers currently doing that are too exhausted to proceed. I need not emphasis the importance of that clearing exercise. I am therefore directing all personal who are not directly involved with power transmission to thrusters, powering up and ammunitions loading of weapons, or working in sick bay to proceed orderly to equipment dispensary to receive machetes so they can go relieve the engineers".
"Captain, mechanised Drachalian ground units approaching", reported lieutenant Tanaka. Promptly displaying armoured vehicles of an alien design advancing from behind the Drachalian forces.
"Mechanised security units report to holding bays 2, 4, 6 and 8. You are to immediately deploy in support of ship's security units already on the surface. Captain Lucinda ordered speaking urgently into her hand held communicator.
As she spoke finished speaking there were columns of personnel queued in long winding columns to receive machetes. While another column of security personnel armed with blasters were jogging to the holding bays.
The Drachalian infantry units which had initiated the attack on the Sandawana withdrew without warning. Captain Maguire and the security team were left wondering what the sudden withdrawal represented. They did not have to wait for long though as a barrage of missiles fired from armoured ground vehicles of alien rained down on their positions. Missiles exploded among the starships's security personnel positions with devsstatinh consequences. While other missiles struck close to the starship inflicting casualties among the engineers, forcing the rest of the them to stop working and run for cover dragging their injured colleagues.
"Captain the situation outside has become too dangerous for civilians to deploy", reported lieutenant Alex Bara at the weapons console.
Captain Lucinda in response in wiped out from her utility belt. "This is acting captain Lucinda. This is a level one priority alert all personal are directed to return to their posts, and standby for action".
"Captain, ship's instruments pick up approaching starships", reported lieutenant Tanaka.
"Ours?", captain Lucinda just had to ask the question though she already had a sinking feeling about it.
"No captain ", replied lieutenant Tanaka.
"We 'll just have to fight from the ground", she remarked.
"Lieutenant elevate weapons systems
on all gun decks at an elevation of 15degrees and stand by to fire", captain Lucinda ordered lieutenant Alex Bara at the weapons control console.
"Yes captain", he said his fingers already moving swiftly over the instrument panel before him in compliance with the order.
"Com", how far is the away with clearing the constraints from the landing pods", asked captain Lucinda.
All work had stopped outside with missiles raining down all around the grounded starship setting off massive explosions. The engineers were taking cover behind clumps of rocks. Even the security team was overwhelmed by the fierce barrage of heavy weapons fire.
Their hand held blasters were of no use against a vicious artillery onslaught and they could only offer token resistance. They had no choice but to withdraw from their positions and try to delay the advancing alien armour. Gradually they fell back towards the Sandawana just as the several hatch doors opened automatically lowering ramps from the underbelly of the starship to the surface.
Armoured vehicles of the Sandawana's security team rolled down the lowered ramps and rushed forward into battle providing instant relief to the hard pressed security team led by captain Maguire. Their arrival on the battle front forced the tide of battle to take another turn as they fired at the lead vehicles of the aliens armoured units forcing them to a grinding stop. Missiles struck struck several Drachalian armoured vehicles blowing them up in powerful explosions which sent chunks of armour plating into the air.
Missiles flew through the air in a fierce exchange between the Sandawana's armoured units and Drachalian armoured vehicles kicking up clumps of dirt amongst fiery explosions.
"Captain, the engineers have been forced to stop working by the fierce shelling from the Drachalian armoured vehicles", reported lieutenant Tanaka at the communications console.
"Order our armoured units to push back those Drachalian units. We need the engineers to get back to work cutting down the tendrils", said captain Lucinda to lieutenant Tanaka at communications.