Supplemental Record
Command Review — Incident REDLINE
During a large-scale containment operation, Tarkus assigned two Combat units to hold separate defensive positions along the same approach corridor.
Both commanders received the same instruction:
Tarkus: “Hold your position until relieved. Do not advance. Do not redeploy without authorization.”
Several hours into the operation, Tarkus's own group came under an unexpected attack in another sector.
Casualty reports began circulating through the command network before Tarkus was able to establish direct contact with the two defensive units.
Both commanders received the reports.
Both Desired to move and Help Tarkus's Group but Only One remained in position.
The other concluded that Tarkus's group required immediate assistance and moved his unit without authorization.
His arrival materially affected the fight. The additional personnel helped stabilize Tarkus's position, evacuate several wounded FSC members, and almost certainly prevented further casualties.
The incident was initially regarded as an example of exceptional initiative.
Several months later, both commanders were considered for promotion.
Multiple officers recommended the commander who had redeployed.
Tarkus selected the one who had stayed.
The decision generated enough disagreement that Tarkus was asked to explain it formally.
He began by acknowledging that the commander who moved had saved lives.
Tarkus: “He did.”
Tarkus made no attempt to diminish that fact.
He then requested the operational map from the original incident.
The two defensive positions had been placed along the most likely route for a secondary hostile force attempting to reach the evacuation corridor.
Only one position had been abandoned.
No attack occurred there.
Tarkus pointed to both positions.
Tarkus: “We know what happened because one man left.”
He then pointed to the position that had remained occupied.
Tarkus: “We don't know what didn't happen because this one stayed.”
Subsequent intelligence indicated that hostile movement had occurred beyond the defended corridor during the same period. Whether an attack would actually have reached the evacuation route remains uncertain.
Tarkus nevertheless maintained that if both commanders had made the same decision to abandon their assignments, the consequences could have been substantially worse.
During the promotion review, one officer argued that the commander who moved had demonstrated initiative, courage, and independent judgment.
Tarkus replied:
Tarkus: “I can find a thousand soldiers who think they have a better plan.”
Tarkus: “What I value is someone I can tell to hold a line, lose contact with for an hour, and still know where he’ll be.”
Personnel Observation
Competitive Dancing
Tarkus has competed in dance for most of his adult life and is proficient across a surprisingly wide range of styles.
His strongest formal background is in ballroom, including waltz, tango, foxtrot, and Latin styles, but he also competes in breakdancing and several other forms. Personnel who have seen him perform describe the contrast with his normal professional demeanor as initially difficult to process.
He is not merely competent.
Tarkus has placed in multiple regional and national-level competitions over the years and continues to enter events whenever his FSC schedule allows it.
This eventually became common knowledge within Combat after personnel encountered him at a competition while on leave.
The story spread quickly because initial reports that Tarkus had been seen breakdancing were assumed to be a joke.
They were not.
Video later circulated internally of him performing both a ballroom routine and a breaking set at separate events.
Tarkus does not appear embarrassed by the hobby and makes no effort to conceal it.
He is, however, mildly irritated by the assumption that because he is good at dancing, he must therefore be willing to perform on demand.
FSC social events routinely produce requests.
He routinely declines unless he actually feels like dancing.
Personnel have learned that asking repeatedly does not improve the odds.
