Cottish News Network
"In a bold and unprecedented manouver, the marine detachments of the ships in the 16th Ynoga Battlegroup assaulted Monaco today, claiming it for Cotland. This little spit of land not even one square mile large lost its government less then a week ago, and was secured by the marines within 12 hours. Unfortunately not without the loss of life.
Two marines were shot dead by an overzealous bodyguard. The said bodyguard was later reported to have been found with more then 200 bullet holes in him, give or take 10. Calibers of the gunshots ranged from 6.8mm to .45 to 9mm and .40.
The rich and wealthy in the casinos were scared, but no harm have come to them. A military governor will assume control of the city state untill an appointed governor can arrive. This has been a glorious day for the Empire of Cotland.
On to other news..."
12 hours earlier
Sergeant Ronald Morris lead his detachment of Marines into the waiting EH101 Merlin helicopter waiting on the flight deck of the Ynoga class light aircraft carrier ICS Kazan, flagship of the 6th Ynoga Battlegroup. It was late. 0120 hours, and the operation was about to commence. A total of 400 Marines were embarked on the Kazan, and they would soon march down the streets of Monaco. Sgt Morris wasn't too afraid. Monaco was lightly defended, and the most dangerous thing would be the bodyguards of the rich and the guards at the casinos.
Sitting in the heilcopter, currently flying 30 feet above the water, in full combat gear, XM-8 between the legs and radio messages going into his ear, Ronald looked around him. Seventeen other Marines sat in the chopper. Two squads at his command, all silent. 'Probably praying' Ronald thought before he too said a short prayer to the big man above, asking Him for success in their mission. When he was finished praying, Ronald looked out the door and down on the sea below. It was dark outside, but the moon showed the calm waves only 30 feet below the belly of the chopper. It was beautiful to look at. A few yachts lay anchored ahead. Ronald could see people dancing on the deck of one of them. 'Having a good time I see. Well, not for long..'
"One minute to touch-down! Get ready!"
The crew chief of the Merlin yelled to Ronald. Snapping out of his thoughts, he held out one finger for the rest of the Marines to see while yelling "One minute!". The Marines repeated the order, then checked their equipment and weapons one last time.
As the Merlin touched down at Place du Casino, Ronald lead him men out and away from the chopper. Their objective was to secure the police station 150 meters away. Several civilian bystanders looked at the soldiers that filed out of the large helicopters, confused by the ruccus. They were scattered quickly by the Marines from the ICS Daily, one of the Arleigh Burke class destroyers in the battlegroup. Anyway, Ronald and his men were outside the police station within seconds.
"You four, hold position here! The rest, follow me! Remember, if they resist, shoot them! Got it?"
The men nodded, and as the four selected took up positions to secure the outside, the 14 other Marines ran inside. The five marines who carried MP-5s raised those, while the ones with the XM-8s slinged them on their backs and pulled out their sidearms: the Colt M1911A3 pistol, complete with .45 ACP slugs. Twelve police officers were secured in the lobby by two marines while the rest ran further inside. Most surrendered, but the Marines had to shoot three cops that tried to resist, raising shotguns on the Marines. Down in the basement, the cells were almost empty. The only inhabitant was a drunk casine guest, who were immediately released. The Marines needed the cells for the cops who had surrendered. They wouldn't be in there for long, only untill the city was secured.
As the police station was secured after twenty minutes, Ronald got command on the radio and reported in. He was proud that the station had been taken so quickly and without friendly casualties, something that was reflected in his voice.
"This is Kilo Charlie White 3 to Kilo Charlie 6. Objective secured. Requesting orders, over"
"Charlie White 3, Charlie 6. Roger. Leave six men to man the station and meet us at Place du Casino. Six out."
The invasion of Monaco had been going on for 5 hours now, and 1600 Marines were in the streets. So far, the whole thing had gone off without a hitch or loss of friendly or civilian life. That was about to change.
Sergeant Ronald Morris and ten other Marines were busy trying to get the people to return home when they saw a whole entourage approaching. Ronald and another Marine walked up to the crowd with his XM-8 at his hip, ready to squease off a few 6.8mm rounds. Then, out of the blue one of the men in the crowd drew out a Beretta 92F 9mm pistol and started shooting. While he didn't get off many rounds before the Marines decked him with a hail of 6.8mm and 5.56mm rounds from the XM-8s and M-249s, and .40, .45 and 9mm rounds from the M1911s, P226s and P99s, it was too late for Ronald and the other Marine. A single round thru Ronalds right eye ended his life, letting the last thing Ronald Morris feel and see being a blur of yelling, shooting and screaming thru a red haze before it finally went black. The back of Ronalds head exploded into his helmet letting Ronald drop his XM-8 out of his lifeless hands and fall first down on his knees, then finally down on his belly. All while blood flowed from his headwound. A medic were on place within seconds, but it was too late. Sergeant Ronald Morris was dead. He only became 21 years old.
A EH101 Merlin helicopter were on the location within minutes, and the Marines lifted the lifeless body of Sergeant Ronald Morris and the other marine, both currently draped in a Cottish flag, into the helicopter. The Marines saluted their fallen comrades as the helicopter lifted off and made its way towards the ICS Kazan.
As the Merlin landed on the flightdeck, all traffic stopped in respect of the dead. A camera crew filmed it all and sent it back to Cotlandstad on a live feed. This was good stuff, perfect for lightning the morale of the Cottish population. Now, the government could frame any nation they needed to for the murder. 'Cottish Marines killed by Botswanian agent' were one possible headline for the papers. Anyway, the soldiers were met by the Captain and senior officers of the Kazan, including the Marine commander aboard. There were a small ceremony where the resident chaplain read the last rites to the dead and blessed their souls, while condemning the perpetrators in the common way of Baptist pastors all around the world (ooc: mine have the temper of Southern US Baptist Pastors. Firey speaches and eternal damnation to the enemies, etc. Good fun to watch.). The bodies would be flown back to Cotland as soon as possible.