[Commander POV]
[Ship Bridge, Arkship]
Time is ticking, and the enemy is getting closer. At the last alarm ring, the radar display monitor shows the enemy has reached 30 km in range. Very far for a face-to-face fight but close enough for artillery bombardment. All automated defence turrets are of various calibres.I also repositioned all Warbots, Cyclones, Cybercats and any mechanical unit in the current Terran arsenal in the British firing line position. Starting from the Cybercat to the largest Warbot type.
This included unused units such as the Battlemech SCV looking like the Warhound and Shredder. Which is a reusable widow mine asset that spews lightning in a 2-metre radius instead of a traditional explosion. Surprisingly, older versions of the siege tank "Arclite", also controlled by AI, can be set as force multipliers for the main artillery role.
But its true name is called 'cannon tower'. Lack of armour, slightly weaker armament and cannot move like a siege tank could. But it didn't hinder its accuracy or its reload speed. The only advantage it has over both Crusio and Arclite is that it is much more cost-effective and requires less manageable power to produce. Tower cannons are treated as structural units due to their immobile nature. Because tower cannons have a long effective range and can be controlled by at least one operator. So I build a bulk of them a lot and place them in strategic places.
Most tower cannons always accompany the next largest forces in my asset, the warbot. This mechanical unit has a similar look to the robot Wall-E for smaller versions such as Sentry and some of the Eradicator versions.The biggest version looks like Guntank from Gundam but with one eye like Zaku does.
This largest Warbot variant, ARES, equipped with a 120mm cannon and missile pod, can boast area effect damage into enemy columns. Although the range the 120mm smoothbore cannon could reach is shorter than the siege tank's own weapon. Thanks to a more dedicated platform to house the powerful AI core, targeting systems are more precise and lethal. ARES also could move independently and can coordinate with the AI system that controls the tower cannon for better results.
I don't consider myself a competent commander or strategist, let alone a real soldier. But at least I now have a very basic defence strategy in the book to use. Nah, just kidding. I straight up copy JSDF tactics from the Gate anime, manga and light novel. I divided the 25 km range area into three different lines of defence. Since this is a range where my gun could reach. Not to mention the effective range for my drone to be dispatched quickly. The purpose is for better battlefield awareness and data collection for future plans.
The first line of defence, which is a 25-11 km range suitable for tower cannons and other artillery platforms, comfortably rains down hell indiscriminately. The next line, which is a 10-5 km group of cyclones or fast-moving vehicles, will harass the enemy with its missile barrage and mobility and retreat when the objective has been achieved. Since the flat plain is the size of a small region, it might give me some advantage.
As the last line of defence, the enemy first meets the widow mine and shredder. Hoping to reduce the enemy number even further before reaching defence turret range. Autocannons, flamethrowers, missile turrets and a wave of cybercats will stop them before reaching the ship itself.
If all defence lines have been breached and overwhelmed. I still have few cards to play. First, obviously, a nuclear missile is stored somewhere in this ship. At least I have more than 50 missiles with firepower equivalent to at least 100 kilotons of TNT. Second is this ship's own defensive weapon system, even though it's not at full capacity. It's still deathly when used right. Before deciding, I will press the button, which I truly need as a last resort.
All of that is just a rough plan I make. Knowing life will not be kind to me by that much, I just try my best to adapt. With limited time and resources, I was forced to rely on visual targets. Right now the only eye I have is the drone hovering above this hostile entity like an eagle watching his prey.
Silently monitor the creature below with a high rendering resolution spec camera. At first glance, it resembles a cursed space bug named Zerg swarm. Since the first wave of hundred are really similar to Zergling. The first playable unit to unlock in both Starcraft 1 & 2 games.
But it doesn't share any resemblance beyond both species being insectoid aliens with a higher consciousness of a hive mind leading them. First of all, Zerg overall look lean towards insectoid with a more organic and fleshy appearance. Furthermore, Zerg units having vastly different appearances, sizes and shapes make it easy to distinguish them and their roles. Zerg also have more natural-looking weapons, such as powerful claws, acid spawn from orifices and vicious teeth.
These hostile entities, however, are opposite to Zerg. More distinct, hard, chitinous exoskeleton with a blend of organic and mechanical parts. Not to mention its physical look is more like a reptilian and dinosaur-looking alien. With centauroid-like limbs, it runs almost twice as fast as a horse. Maybe those things might surpass Zergling speed in general.
Unlike Zerg, it uses a tool like on its long-limbed, four-digit, finger-like hand. Among the weapons the creature holds that could be identified are a biomechanical-looking rifle, a tentacle whip and a shiny white bone sword. Of all the answers my brain can give me at this moment, it is Tyranids. Since that is the closest comparison I can relate to.Since that basically how Tyranids general description right?.
I don't know very much about Warhammer 40k lore and the franchise, though. Heck, even I learn about Warhammer from random reels on YouTube. Mostly from Warhammer-related YouTube channels that explain about the lore and general stuff from tabletop, video games or even books. So I will not know what type of unit is on the first wave, let alone the entire army not too far from here.
Anyway, I meant what I said about the first wave. Unfortunately, the radar sensor has detected more hostile forces incoming not too far away. The first wave, which is those centauroid dinosaur alien bugs, is around ten thousand strong. The second and third have triple the number of the first. Which means the total number of invasions is 130,000 in total and probably more beyond radar detection range. Be warned though, I'm not good with maths, so this is just a rough estimate from my poor brain.
[[WARNING: ENEMY HAS ENTERED 1ST LINE OF DEFENCE PERIMETER.]]
"Hmph, that's new. Anyway, commence artillery barrage starting now."
Without any delay, all cannon towers behind the garrison fire the first volley with their 120mm shock cannons. At the speed of hypersonic travel across a flat plain in the blink of an eye. In the shape of a blue bolt light trail, it struck down the first column of the vanguard. Fire explodes and burns them to a crisp as mushroom-like clouds rise. Each blast dug a few-centimetre crater into the air and spoilt the land with ash and flesh. As the enemy broke free and tried to scatter to reduce damage. Another volley struck them down, never giving them a chance to recover.
For every 15-second firing cycle, a line of tower cannons continuously spews bolts of death and rains down upon the enemy. Every minute past, hundreds of the enemy die by direct explosion or kinetic blast and shrapnel. I expect the enemy will slow down or be decimated before reaching the second line.
With flat terrain with no visible obstacles, this Tyranid runs through the artillery barrage without remorse. Even one blast from the cannon tower kills two or four; dozens at the back move forwards. Those creatures run and run until they enter missile pod range and artillery pieces of Warbot ARES. Equipped with cluster-type missiles and high-explosive rounds with a faster reload cycle. More Tyranid bodies are decimated as the combined firepower of both the cannon tower and ARES supplements each other.
The cannon tower is like a hammer, destroying huge chunks of the enemy with raw destructive power. While ARES likes sculpture. With an independent AI core for better calculations. ARES easily guides a number of Tyranids into a group with cluster munitions and precision warheads. An ideal target in the kill zone for maximum damage. While it's a 120mm cannon, pick off strays with rapid shots.
Echoes of the explosion can be heard from a distance, but so can the screams of dying Tyranids. None of them even try to retreat. It's like something guiding them. Each one of them running with such ferocity, united under a single-minded purpose. To consume us just like the Zerg swarm. For now both the cannon tower and ARES combine artillery barrages manageable to stop them from getting closer.
"I did remember Tyranids do have their own celebrities and a queen or overlord version. The biggest and scariest-looking, if I'm not mistaken. Easier to identify and kill than that pesky immortal worm. Where are you, hmm...."
I instructed another drone to venture further to find this central hive mind location. For my intention on the first wave of Tyranids is unneeded. I know there is more of this vermin, but looking at it myself really disturbs me. I make assumptions that at least over a hundred thousand units will be attacking, but I forgot one important thing.
Tyranids, like Zerg, are space bugs. Those creatures spawn and breed in thousands, and each offspring can kill a grown man easily. Not to mention even the weakest of its species are durable enough to withstand a standard issue weapon of the Imperial Guard before succumbing to injury.
"Fuck!! Why I'm transported in the Warhammer universe. Last thing I need is some tech priest to come barging in and brand me a heretic. "Sob, at least I don't see any Ultralisks or flying unit equivalents."
As the drone flies further beyond the 50km radar range and continues its surveillance below. It travels at least at a top speed of 120 km and stays in the air for more than 2 hours. Then the drone detected hundreds of heat signatures at a nearby mountain range. So far only the very same unit from the first wave. Nothing different about them aside from some of them being led by bigger ones of their kin. None of them act like feral animals, as this bigger one whips its little kin with its powerful tentacle-whip thing to keep them in check.
That thing there might be equivalent to an officer for infantry. But none of them have units that play the role of heavy cavalry or artillery, etc., like Zerg did. Lack of diversity or combined armed forces might give me a great advantage, but this Tyranid is a space bug. At least it didn't need to be versatile. With sheer numbers alone, with the same unit type, they can easily overwhelm my defences.Like Kerringan did to Valerian with a mere drone.
To fuel my nightmare, the drone camera has detected something at a distance. A loud footstep sound echoes through the air. At first I thought it was small hills on this highland. But that same hill looked like it moved or wobbled a lot. Barely noticeable by drone camera but surely moving.
As resolution takes time to adjust for zooming further. Getting a clear image is difficult since dust gets in the way. Furthermore, getting closer there physically might not be a good idea for some reason. Whatever that thing is might notice the drone and destroy it or do something unexpected. When the camera has an optimised resolution, I realise what I'm looking at right now. The target I've been searching for might already appear in front of my eyes.
"That ugly mother of bugs. What the hell is that abomination? Why the heck is Queen freaking huge?"
At the centre of the massive Tyranid formation, there is a Titan among them. The sheer size of them could make Thor and Odin blush. Maybe even the infamous Protoss colossus might find it a worthy rival. Spider-like form with eight thin legs to support its weight and size.On both hands, like pincers, they look like bio versions of cannons. A green light pulses on its supposed barrel as a mysterious liquid drops at the same time.
Most importantly, about its physical appearance description. Battle scars and spiky carapaces on each crook on its body scream death to those who face it. Even without space magic telepathy, a normal person can feel some kind of oppressive aura that thing emitted.
The crimson-red spider-like eye is full of hostility and more primal-looking than its smaller kin. Despite its size and menacing appearance, it seems more intelligent and cunning than I give it credit for. Those very eyes look straight at the drone camera lens. Studying this unknown flying object that just invaded its territory.
"Is it just me, or could that thing's eye pop out from the screen? Hahaha."
I nervously laugh with a cracking voice. Even from far away, somehow it gives me creepy feelings I have never felt before. The drone for now keeps its distance and keeps monitoring this legion. Especially that huge one that stops suddenly from moving.
Out of nowhere, that pincer-like cannon begins to pulse with brilliant green light. When it's raised and pointed in the drone's direction, I can see the "muzzle" part shine with the same green light. Electric sparks begin to be intensified, and the air around the muzzle tip begins to be distorted. Seconds after that, I lost connection to the drone. When I switch the POV drone back to the first wave. I didn't say any words when I saw the monitor.
Most of the enemy are already destroyed with a combined artillery strike. Not a single Tyranid reached the second line. Vast land of green grass turns into a crater of ash and is littered with corpses. The survivors retreat and try to bring as many of their fallen back to whatever they come from. Probably recycling its biomass to create new warriors. I thought those things survived long enough to force the other me into action. I guess this is why modern forces always use artillery when possible, eh.
"Speaking of biomass, how many minerals again does this ship possess?"
I ask myself to distract from the shock I received earlier.
[[RESOURCES AT MINIMAL LEVEL. YOU CAN CONSTRUCT MORE MECHANICAL UNITS ON THE SHIP IN THE INBOARD FACTORY AND PREFABRICATE A DEFENSIVE STRUCTURE AS A STOPGAP BEFORE AWAKENING THE COLONISTS. I SUGGEST SENDING A RECON UNIT TO FIND ALTERNATIVE RESOURCES AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.]
The same synthetic female robotic voice interrupts my dilemma. I'm to focus on the task. In front, I didn't realise about the voice that suddenly appears. But one thing I'm sure of is that it's not "SYSTEM"; it's a more convincing human voice pestering me. While the system voice sounds more like an annoying "oba-san" type. This one sounds like hyperactive kids.
"What are you? Identified yourself."
[[I AM THIS ARKSHIP ADJUSTANT. CURRENTLY THE MOST SOFITICATED AI ON RECENT KORUPLU TERRAN HISTORY.CODE NAME PERSONNEL ASSISTANT INTELLIGENCE (and) MONITOR OBSERVER NETWORK. PAIMON IN SHORT FORM. MY PRIMARY TASK IS TO HELP SUPREME COMMANDER OF THIS VESSEL TO ENSURE CONTINUATION SURVIVAL OF ITS PASSENGER. THIS INCLUDED PLAYING ROLE AS COMMANDER ADVISOR TO ORGANISE DEFENSE AND COUNTERATTACK EFFORT.]]
"Why now? Can't you just do it yourself? Even better, wake somebody more qualified to handle this matter."
[[THE ACTIVATION CODE OF THE FORCE AWAKE HIBERNATION CHAMBER PROTOCOL IS FACING SERIOUS TROUBLE. MAJORITY OF CHAMBER UNIT CURRENTLY OPERATING AT ALMOST BARE MINIMUM LEVEL DUE TO POWER OUTAGE. FORCING ANY OF THE COLONISTS TO AWAKE MIGHT RESULT IN PERMANENT BRAIN DAMAGE OR IMMEDIATE DEATH BY ANOTHER CAUSE. RIGHT NOW PROXIMITY OF 30 MINUTES IS NEEDED TO SELF-REPAIR THE DRONE AT LEAST TO ATTAIN THE MINIMUM LEVEL OF OPERATIONAL CAPACITY. EVEN SO WITH THE CURRENT SITUATION, MOST POWER IS DIVERTED INTO WARGEAR, DEFENSIVE WEAPON PLATFORMS AND AUTOMATONS.NOT TO MENTION PROTOCOL INDICATES THE SUPREME COMMANDER OF THIS VESSEL MUST BE AWAKENED FIRST BEFORE DOING ANY ACTION OUTSIDE OF MY JURISDICTION ACCORDING TO THE GUIDELINE IMPLEMENTED ON MY CORE. WHICH IS YOU WHO HOLD FULL AUTHORITY OVER ME]]
" (So that's what the mission is all about.) Ok... how many hours does it take to finish all this repairing? Right now I don't think the current standing force can take them. Anyway, show me data related to this issue. Convert it into a PowerPoint chart graph for me for easy digestion."
[[AFFIRMATIVE...]]
It takes a minute to organise collected data and compile it in chart form. When it was done, the screen monitor was flooded with dozens of charts of data about ship conditions. Even file a report of drone surveillance, defensive perimeter grid and munition spending on artillery strikes. Of course it's included that devastating attack from the giant spider earlier. Damn bureaucracy and paperworknonsense.
"What the... It takes three weeks for a ship to be fully operational for archiving. That's counting if we found alternative resources. Lady, we don't have that much time. Outside, there is an army of giant killing spiders that will chew us alive."
[[THIS UNIT HAS DONE BASIC ANALYSIS ABOUT OUR ENEMY. IT'S TRUE WE WERE OUTNUMBERED BY 10 TO 1 AT BARE MINIMUM. BUT WE DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT HUMAN CASUALTIES YET. AS IT WAS, AUTOMATON WAS DOING A FIGHT. WITH CURRENT RESOURCES AND THE RIGHT TACTICS, WE CAN DELAY THEM BEFORE FINALLY DRIVING THEM BACK WITH OVERWHELMING FORCE.]]
"So even with the full might of our standing forces, we only drive them out?"
[[IF WE MANAGE TO AWAKEN THE ROYAL GUARD DIVISION AND SOME OF THE MILITARY PERSONNEL.THIS INCLUDED THE ODIN PILOT AND ENGINEER TEAM TO COUNTER THE UNKNOWN GIANT ORGANISM. SIMPLE AUTOMATION CAN DO MUCH BEFORE BEING OVERWHELMED BY THE ENEMY'S MASS WAVE TACTICS. DEPLETED BATTERY OR THE UNIT ITSELF GOING HAYWIRE MIGHT HAPPEN FREQUENTLY DURING THE NON-STOP ENGAGEMENT]
"True, but still you didn't answer my question. So what is our next course of action, ADVISOR? Besides playing a tower defence game with giant bugs."
[[WITH THE CURRENT DEFENSIVE PERIMETER LAYOUT, ESTIMATION FOR SURVIVAL IS AT 37.68% AT MAXIMUM. VERY BASIC BUT PROVED TO BE FUNCTIONAL IN RECENT ATTACK. ALTHOUGH IT WASN'T PUT INTO TEST SINCE THE FIRST WAVE DIDN'T BREACH THE LAST LINE OF DEFENCE PERIMETER DUE TO THE CONCENTRATION OF ARTILLERY BARRAGE. I ADVISE CONSTRUCTING MORE TOWER CANNONS AND WARBOTS, ESPECIALLY ARES UNITS, TO DENY THEM ENGAGEMENT IN CLOSE QUARTERS COMBAT.]]
"Do you need to state something obvious?"
Of course I'm aware the defence layout plan sucks. It's nothing to do with my pride getting hurt by futuristic ChatGPT. Anyway, the first wave ended in an anticlimactic way due to overwhelming artillery firepower. Maybe it's just me who underestimates Terran weaponry.Since in-game, fast attack units usually survive long enough to enter the siege tank gap if the player is smart enough in micro-management technique.
BIP*
[UPDATE MISSION NOTIFICATION]
[Main Quest: Wasteland Defence]
Objective:
-Protect the Arkship at all costs before the ship is fully restored within 3 weeks.
-Build more mechanical units to bolster your defence.
-Scout around your area and gather additional resources (optional)
- Defeat the enemy titan before it reaches you.
Reward:
-Unlock All Remaining Unit available
-Additional skill might aid you in your journey
-Summon Commander Unit according to your choice
NOTE:
Mission failure will result in immediate death, and your existence in your world of origin might be erased. Nobody will remember you.
TIME LIMIT LEFT:
21 Days 23 Hours
" (Sonnabeetch) Adjutant, I want you to send a drone to scout around our area and find alternative resources. Split those resources at our disposal between the construction of new mechanical units, munitions and maintenance. Construct tower cannons with many possible and remaining resources to fix whatever is needed for our current needs."
[[ACKNOWLEDGE]]
"I have some times now. Let's learn everything about this vessel first. "Adjutant, can you give me some documents about recent Terran history?"
HERO POV
17 HOURS LATER
COMMAND CENTRE PLANETARY FORTRESS MODE,
COMMAND BAY,
12 km FROM ARKSHIP,
1ST DEFENCE LINE PERIMETERS
"I'm so tired. Even doing nothing beside light exercise and pow-pow stuff. I don't know if my mind or body feels really fatigued SIGN....."
While the other me is busy organising our defences and doing some personal research. Even with some help from Adjutant, our sheer inexperience really gives me a headache. Even technically we are in separate bodies, even though we share the same mind; it seems we could share the same sense of pain to some degree. The last thing I need is to die due to a heart attack because that side has an extreme migraine due to overwork.
But even idle and doing nothing has its limit. I do move around to test this second body of mind. Speed, agility and strength are truly at a superhuman level. I try to lift the Warbot sentry to test strength. Sentry form bears similarities with Wall-E and Johnny 5 from Short Circuit. I estimate almost 700 kg alone. Not to mention, the armour plating and armaments like the twin Gauss rifle and flamethrower have not yet been installed. Yet I lift this machine of death easily with one hand.
I try to use the rifle I have, and the result is pretty much what I anticipate. Some kind of deep encoding inside the DNA of this body capable of using all kinds of weapons and fighting without being taught. So naturally my aiming hit the mark with beyond 99% accuracy at 100meter range. But this result applies to a stable environment. If I enter a real battlefield, which, however, I have yet to know about. Except I never try to kill humans, let alone alien bugs.
Too bad I need basic human needs, including entertainment. The only entertainment I have is watching an immobile siege tank shooting its cannon in unison. While other worker drones, including brood war SCVs, are busy moving around carrying construction items and building new turret nests and towering walls of neosteel surrounding this new base.
This mechanical cat called Predator is almost a good substitute for a real cat. Playing with them might distract me from this horror of a new reality. At least a dozen were freshly made from the fabricator factory as anti-infantry specialists.Truly Terran technology can be considered as sorcery by middle-aged people or maybe 21st-century men like me.
This Command Centre was not built on site. Instead, it was already stored inside the Arkship and flew all over and landed here. Unlike the game, this mobile base has manufacturing ability, such as turning raw materials into construction items. Plus, the Command Centre is more advanced than the Dominion from the Starcraft 2 game because it is responsible for spawning both predators and warbots, including spare parts, repair facilities and ammo.
All of this is just a new upgrade I have never seen in the game – just one of many. Planetary fortress mode, which is another branch upgrade in Starcraft 2, has a second add-on. Which is the Comsat station from Brood War. Not as powerful as the Arkship radar system, but more than enough to alert me if something is coming from far away.
In the past 17 hours, Tyranids have continuously been sending their forces. But the number they send never exceeds the first wave number. They try to attack from various angles but only to be discovered by a patrolling drone and get bombarded by a cannon tower or ARES cluster missile. The adjutant suggestsexpand our defence placement by making a network of FOBs at the front to deny Tyranids a foothold and prevent them from getting closer. Especially that unknown giant spider bio-cannon range still being calculated.
This measure is to give us more breathing room and time to repair the Arkship. The faster the repair, the faster we can awaken military personnel and pump the dedicated war machine. At the same time, installing sensor towers around our perimeter as a stopgap since the main radar system is still offline. While we are at it, finding precious resources to support the campaign is in progress. That other me has stuff to handle, so my focus is on the enemy.
Other benefits thanks to experienced dealing with the Zerg antics are to detect and prevent the enemy from digging underground tunnels to bypass detection and artillery strikes.So why am I putting myself at the frontline instead of waiting and comfortably watching from afar? Because SYSTEM has updated the mission tab at the same time.
[MISSION UPDATE NOTIFICATION]
[Hero Quest: Fight For Survival]
Objective:
-Protect Main Gate (primary)
-Locate and defeat the boss-level enemy (primary)
-Collect Sample (primary)
-Stay alive without getting lethal damage (optional)
Reward:
- Subspace storage (lowest level)
-Depend on your contribution, additional reward will be applied
Penalty:
- The hero must be proactive to contribute to this mission, or the heavy penalty "ELECTRIC SHOCK" will be implemented
"What the fuck is optional for not getting dying? But better I fight now than get shocked again. Errghh... Truly whoever put this sheet on me is not a benevolent isekai godlike being."
A shiver spread throughout my body after remembering the horrible experience hours ago. When I heard loud electric static like an engine at my corner. I quickly forget about it and move my head to find the source of that noise. I see something to behold. A combat vehicle just finished being repaired by a couple of SCVs and a drone alike from a makeshift hangar.
"Now you're talking. A badass tank for badass me."
A modified piloted version of Cyclone. With extra armour plating for better survival along with a more powerful engine to help me escape if things go south. Furthermore, the engine installed is a state-of-the-art cold fusion cell battery. More than enough to sustain prolonged combat and power up future upgrades might be installed in the near future.
Not only that, but a couple of armaments are installed in front of the Cyclone cockpit. Twin Gauss rifles for anti-infantry and a mine plough for better ramming and to look more badass than it already is. This included a high-grade pilot protection package, such as anti-shock padding and a limited life support system. The cockpit is reinforced with starship-grade neosteel with an easy-to-break-from-inside design just in case I need to escape.
To accommodate all of these upgrades, Cyclone's overall body is made to be bigger in both size and weight. Originally 8 metres in length, 2.5 metres in width and 2.2 metres in height with a weight around 30 tonnes. Now this machine is giving a new breed design at a length of 10 metres, a width of 3 metres and a height of 2.6 metres. The weight alone almost doubled but was manageable. Since larger caterpillar tracks spread the weight more equally to prevent sinking.
"All systems are online, the seat feels comfortable, and the handle has no problems. Suspension and brake system in good condition. Alright, Slayer of Gorloc the Destroyer out."
After doing several routines to check cyclone conditions. I head out from the newly constructed FOB to the northwest. Don't mind me about driving a tank strap with a lot of missile pods beside my cockpit without even have a certificate or licence. Several vehicles follow me forming a straight line, including a transport truck towing several SCVs and supplies. More than ten Warbot Eradicators on my side work as escort vehicles.
My job is pretty much straightforward and crucial. Just scout around the area close enough to that giant spider and set up a staging base. Thanks to drone scouting and the Comsat station radar detector, rare mineral deposits were found to support my new temporary home. Since it's really close for comfort with the enemy home base, I decide to take a little detour. With rough terrain and hefty obstacles to delay our team, construction arrival is expected. But that's for another 24-hour journey montage cut.