Josh reached for his belt. He knew he had several blades in there. The straight edge was exactly what he was looking for - in theory it was there to help him cut through the thick plastic covering of power cables.
It took a while to hack a length of wood with the blade. The blade was sharp but it was designed for close up, delicate work, not for taking wild swings at tree. The handle was too short to allow him to wield it freely.
The next step was easier. Josh bound the blade, by the handle, with a collection of cable-ties to the branch he had just hacked off the nearby tree.
It had taken him a little longer than he had hoped but he was fairly pleased with the makeshift machete.
The very sharp metal edge was fastened tightly to the wooden shaft. It was much easier to hack through the alien jungle.
Josh pressed onwards. The vines cleared before him far more easily than before. Progress was improved, faster, easier and better.
Unseen, overhead, Mrr'ro didn't know whether she was impressed or horrified. Did the hairless man know the risk he was taking? He could waken the yeort by destroying so many of the yeort's fingers.
Despite the risks, Mrr'ro knew that the stranger was getting close to the cliffs. If he made it that far then yeort's influence would wane.
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