Supreme Marshal Tarasov

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(Supreme Marshal- role abolished in 2150)

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Painting a Agripin Tarasov 1 year after declaring himself Supreme Marshal

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(General Secretary) Next: Iov Zaystev

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## Childhood, from Velsk to Moscow (2088-2107)

Agripin Tarasov was born in the town of Velsk in the Russian Socialist State, GUISS, in 2088, to middle-class parents, Aleksandr Tarasov and Ania Tarasov. Tarasov had a relatively happy upbringing, with summer holidays in Moscow being a yearly event for his family.

Tarasov commonly got into fights at school with other kids, what his parents stated was his 'Russian nature'. It is noted that Tarasov commonly won these fights as in his spare time he enjoyed sports, mainly wrestling, which he attended clubs for.

While at school Tarasov also developed a major interest in military history, as it is noted in his personal diary that he would come home from school and contantll study various battles throughout history, learning the failures of leaders and commanders of the past. Tarasov stated that from this 'young learning' he had realised that many military failures came from the lack of strong leadership, and political bureaucracy in nations. During this time Tarasov also became inspired by the history of WW2 and one of its main commanders, Marshal Zhukov, viewing Zhukov as his personal idol.

All of these factors inspired Tarasov to join the military and one day become a 'great commander of the people, peaceful and ruthless'.

## Career in the military and developing political views (2108-2126)

At the age of 20 Tarasov joined GUISS' military, The People's Army. From the ages of 20 to 23 he performed in military parades, at home and abroad. Tarasov used these foreign trips as a chance to view many of the world's sights and to visit historical battlefields. On many of these trips, Tarasov went alone, as he always found the best company to be himself.

2 weeks after his 24th birthday Tarasov was sent to China to fight in the 'Maoist Rebellion'. Tarasov fought under Army Group Marx, division 4, a group well known for its victories, as seen at the Battle of Kashgar and the Battle of Luoyang. This conflict allowed Tarasov to practice his military techniques and he soon rose to good ranks in the People's Army, as by the end of the war he had earned the title of Captain. Many of his fellow soldiers spoke well of him and highlighted his natural instinct for warfare, one soldier stated "The whole of that man's life revolves around warfare, he just gets it".

After the Civil War, Tarasov was transferred to the town of Nyandoma as a border guard along the border of Nordica. Though at times this patrol could be tense, it is noted that Tarasov and his fellow soldiers spent some nights celebrating and relaxing with Nordican troops along the border, trading resources, and tales. Tarasov also became 'politically neutral' during this time as he began to see all governments as communities of fools that get nothing done and only hinder the army. Though secretly he was a big admirer, of then, General Secretary Myron Kyuzmenko. During this time Tarasov continued to show great military skills and proved himself as a tactician, as he was crucial in developing sturdy and efficient defences in GUISS what would later be used by the GUISSan Army in WW3. By 2126 Tarasov had been promoted to Lieutenant-general and was well known amongst the army as a stern military tactician. So, at the age of 38, with 14 years of military service and international relations stabilising, Tarasov believed it was a good time to retire from the army and purchased 400 acres of land in Velsk.

## Life as a farmer (2126-2132)

With the purchase of this land, Tarasov was set on living a quiet life as a farmer, and catching up with his family, though his father fell ill in 2127, what took up a lot of his time. (Not much is known about Tarasov's time away from the army as there is a key lack of primary sources and even Tarasov failed to keep an up to date diary during these years. Though it is suggested that he lived a relativley peaceful life doing various activities such as rising chickens and fishing.)

With the rejection of Kuzmenko's ten year peace in 2131-212 by Nordica and Neo-Europe Tarasov began to become more concerned with international relations and also more intrested in global politics. This was fallowed by an army visit to Tarasov's home on the 8th June 2132, where Colonel Tokar stated that Tarasov was requested to be recalled into the army due to the increasing threat of war. Tarasov was quick to agree and resumed his postion as Lieutenant-general, stationed at the People's Army offical headquaters in Moscow.

## Recall and loyaltly to Kuzmenko (2132-2142)

Tarasov's role as an army advisor to the Central Committee saw him make many daily visits to the Hall of Soviets, at least twice a month he and his general staff would meet Kuzmenko personally to discuss various issues. Tarasov found Kuzmenko to be a surprisingly good tactician and agreed that backup defences needed to be built in Western Russia in case of conflict in the future. Tarasov strongly suggested his idea of the 'Eastern Fence'- a long line of defences stretching from the Arctic Ocean to the South China Sea (an idea he would partially inact in 2147) though Kuzmenko shot down the idea, believing GUISS would be able to hold off any invasion in Western Russia and that Eastern defences were a waste of valuable resources.

During this time (2137) Tarasov's met Tamara Eduardivna, an office worker in Moscow. Over a period of 3 months, they began courting and eventually were engaged by the end of 2137. With most of Tarasov's focus being diverted to Tamara, he seriously considered leaving the army once again and moving to the Chinese coast though he decided to put his nation first, with rising international tension and Neo-Europe/Nordican hostility to GUISS, he saw that war was on the horizon. He also decided to call off his wedding believing that the time was not right and that he was unable to commit to such a 'serious aspect of life'.

From 2137 to 2141 Tarasov's life remained relatively unchanged as he continued to develop an even more successful relationship with the Central Committee and General Secretary Kuzmenko, though they still had their own disagreements. The most notable change for Tarasov during this time was his promotion to a full-time General, due to his 'booming confidence and great skills, according to his Marshal Vitalij Dzyuba. Also during this era, Tarasov became concerned over the growing attitude and popularity of 'reformism' amongst the youth of the GUISS. Tarasov, fully convinced that war with Neo-Europe and Nordica was inevitable saw reformism as a great danger- "Everything we have prepared for in the past 10 years, the defences, the forts etc, will cease to be if these 'dreamers' get hold of any form of power. Of course, I am against any sort of military violence against these people but their matchstick must be put out before they can light the spark."- **General Agripin Tarasov, 'A message to the officers amongst our ranks concerning the talks with the Central Committee, April 6th 2141**.

The death of General Secretary Kuzmenko in March of 2142 did not shock Tarasov, he had known for a while that Kuzmenko was unwell and near his death. What actually worried Tarasov about Kuzmenko's death was the inevitable power vacuum that would be created. The fears Tarasov had held for the past 2 years had become a reality in just 2 weeks, with the majority of the Supreme Soviet siding with the 'reformers', Albert Jach, a key figure of the New Socialism movement was elected as General Secretary on the 13th of March 2142.

## War and 'the fool, Albert Jach' (2142-2146)

In the months after Kuzmenko's death, Tarasov grew to despise Jach even more, with Jach lowing the military budget and canceling massive defense projects. By October Tarasov told the Central Committee he could no longer attend the weekly meetings- "I am sorry comrades but I have completely lost touch with this government. I can see that you and your members have a vision. Obviously, I am blind to this vision, I will still remain at my post in the Army but these meetings I cannot attend!"