| Colonel Taggart | |
|---|---|
[[File: |250px]]
| |
| Affiliation |
U.S Marines |
| Health |
Unknown |
Colonel Ian Taggart was the leader of the U.S. Marines deployed in Manhattan (voiced by Richard McGonagle). He is much like General Randall in his ruthlessness, but regularly butts heads with the General due to differing motivations. Accoring to the Official Prima Guide, Taggart managed to promote himself steadily, all the while avoiding being on the front-lines for any of Blackwatch's operations. Unfortunately, Taggart was assigned into command position for the ground troops stationsed in New York City at the time the viral outbreak occured, something he did not look forward to.
Following General Peter Randall's order, Colonel Taggart issued a lockdown on Manhattan, which consisted of barricading the bridges linking to the main soil and fortifying major military bases throughout the city. Taggart believed the monumental task of containing the virus in such a large city was impossible and something his men were neither trained nor equipped for. He also resented the use of his men as pawns by Blackwatch. Still, Taggart obeyed Randall, knowing that the general was not good at forgiving mistakes.
Taggart demanded the military cut it losses by abandoning and nuking Manhattan, wiping out the virus from a distance. Randall reserved this action as a last resort measure, preferring to drive back the virus of the ground, mostly so he would be able to recover Elizabeth Greene undamaged.
After realizing that Greene, a vaulable asset to Blackwatch and GENTEK, was killed/consumed by Alex Mercer, Taggart ordered evacuation of every ground forces stationed in the city. Not only this crucial decision was a direct disobedience of Randall's orders, but it also resulted in significant loss of the control Blackwatch and the U.S Marines managed to cling onto in the city. Up until then, the player would likely see Taggart as a brave man who cared for his men's lives deeply, jeopardizing his position as colonel.
Taggart's true colors show when Mercer, acting on information from Captain Cross, cuts off the colonel's means of escape via air support and destroys his well-defended base. Taggart fled in a Thermobaric Tank while ordering as many of his marines (and the rogue Blackwatch personnel whom stayed loyal to Taggart) as possible to safeguard him. In doing so, he effectively sent his men to die to buy himself time. Eventually, the panicking Taggart headed for the quarantine border, but Mercer ultimately cuts him off and consumes him. This allowed Cross and Mercer an access to the U.S.S Ronald Reagan and Randall.
After the years of somewhat cowardly services in military, Colonel Taggart was no more. Interestingly, although he seemingly is a marine commander, he wears an outfit similar to that of a Blackwatch personnel.
Node of Intrigue
Randall executes Taggart.
Colonel Ian Taggart
All of this, everything here. We've been preparing to fight the wrong war ! We can't beat this. We need to pull out and deal with it at a distance !
General Peter Randall
Taggart. I put you in charge because I trust you to do what needs to be done: cut the heart out of the infection.
Colonel Ian Taggart
Sir ! The position is intenable. These... things... they're beyond our abilities...
General Peter Randall
I don't want to hear one more excuse from you ! You get your ass back into the field and get it done ! Or don't come back.
Links to
- Seq 8 Elizabeth Greene
- Seq 9 General Peter Randall