The Goblin National Guard's Operation Island Storm has ended in an accidental exchange of territory with Rigatonia.
Days after forming its new battalions, the military, eager to prove itself and show off its shiny lapel pins, launched a surprise amphibious assault on Rigatonia. The secret weapon was a fleet of mind-controlled whales, hollowed out and packed with heavily armed goblin marines.
On reaching the beach, the marines found no enemy, only bewildered civilians enjoying a peaceful day by the sea. Unsure what to do next, they occupied the island and declared victory, mostly because they did not want to swim home.
Meanwhile the Re-Reformed Reimagined Pastafarian Army, unaware of any of this, had sent its own fleet of mind-controlled sea turtles to invade Mudwick Isle. It too found only civilians, and claimed the island for Rigatonia.
The stalemate lasted several hours. Both sides claimed victory. GNN declared a "glorious triumph." Rigatonia's propaganda machine hailed the "liberation" of Mudwick Isle.
Eventually, with the help of a generous supply of fermented mushroom cocktails, a ceasefire was negotiated. Both sides agreed to swap the islands back and pretend it never happened.
"It seems we both made a slight miscalculation," said Elder Gnarltooth, flushed with embarrassment. "But at least nobody got hurt, apart from a few seasick goblins and a kraken who lost his favorite lunch spot."
Several marines have asked to swap back again. They liked the pasta.
