TV-Series
Description
Cmdr. Richard Henry Mardukas is a senior officer in the secret military organization Mithril, holding the rank of Commander and serving as the deputy captain of the advanced submarine TDD-1 Tuatha De Danaan, which operates under the organization's West Pacific Squadron.
A native of the United Kingdom, Mardukas comes from a professional background, having been born into a doctor's family near Birmingham. Before joining Mithril, he had a distinguished career in the British Royal Navy. He served on the nuclear submarine HMS Conqueror, seeing action during the Falklands War, where his vessel famously sank the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano. He later achieved the role of captain on the Trafalgar-class submarine HMS Turbulent, a position in which he became renowned for his expertise and lethality in underwater combat. His skill was so respected that he earned the nickname The Duke from American naval forces, a moniker he personally dislikes as it feels too grandiose for someone not of noble birth.
Mardukas is defined by his extreme professionalism, rigorous discipline, and a highly logical, pragmatic mind. He is a stickler for rules and proper procedure, often launching into long, scolding lectures when reprimanding subordinates. His personality is dry and strict, which can make him appear intimidating, but this demeanor is paired with a calm disposition that remains unshaken even under the most extreme pressure. He is a strategist at heart, with a love for mathematical games, puzzles, and the tactical depth of submarine warfare, which he compares to a game of chess. A notable quirk is his habit of turning his baseball-style cap backwards when he enters a state of deep concentration and begins to employ his full tactical abilities, a signal that the crew has come to recognize as a sign of impending victory. The cap itself, embroidered with HMS Turbulent, is a cherished gift from Tessa's father, Carl Testarossa.
His primary role in the story is as the steadfast second-in-command to Captain Teletha Testarossa. He is responsible for the day-to-day management of the submarine and acts as her most trusted advisor. While he follows her orders with unwavering loyalty, acknowledging her genius-level command abilities, he also holds a special authority. If he determines that the captain has lost normal judgment, he can convene three senior officers to vote and suspend her command privileges, a standard failsafe measure on nuclear vessels. He serves not only as her executive officer but also as a surrogate parent and guardian figure, a role he assumed due to his deep friendship with her late father. This protective instinct manifests as a comical, yet stern, overprotectiveness towards Tessa. He is notably distrustful of Sousuke Sagara, largely because he sees the young sergeant as a disruption to Tessa's professional focus and personal well-being.
Mardukas possesses several key relationships that define his actions. His bond with Carl Testarossa was forged during a naval mission where Mardukas saved Carl's submarine from a Soviet attacker, a victory that also introduced him to the secrets of Tessa's unique heritage. This history is the primary reason he left the Royal Navy after a bureaucratic dispute and joined Mithril to protect Carl's daughter. He holds Captain Tessa in the highest professional regard, and the mutual trust between them is the bedrock of the TDD-1's effectiveness.
While his background is in naval command, his character shows notable development and surprising versatility. Though he is a by-the-book officer, he is not a rigid thinker. His tactical acumen is formidable, demonstrated decisively during the events of The Dancing Very Merry Christmas, where, with Tessa off-ship, he took full command and single-handedly destroyed multiple enemy submarines using a clever trap. Furthermore, despite being a surface officer, he is capable in close-quarters combat, displaying reflexes and skills on par with a seasoned soldier, such as deflecting a thrown grenade. By the conclusion of the series, after a long career defined by duty and service, Mardukas makes the personal decision to leave Mithril, with the stated plan of seeking reconciliation with his ex-wife, adding a layer of grounded humanity to his otherwise intense and professional persona.
A native of the United Kingdom, Mardukas comes from a professional background, having been born into a doctor's family near Birmingham. Before joining Mithril, he had a distinguished career in the British Royal Navy. He served on the nuclear submarine HMS Conqueror, seeing action during the Falklands War, where his vessel famously sank the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano. He later achieved the role of captain on the Trafalgar-class submarine HMS Turbulent, a position in which he became renowned for his expertise and lethality in underwater combat. His skill was so respected that he earned the nickname The Duke from American naval forces, a moniker he personally dislikes as it feels too grandiose for someone not of noble birth.
Mardukas is defined by his extreme professionalism, rigorous discipline, and a highly logical, pragmatic mind. He is a stickler for rules and proper procedure, often launching into long, scolding lectures when reprimanding subordinates. His personality is dry and strict, which can make him appear intimidating, but this demeanor is paired with a calm disposition that remains unshaken even under the most extreme pressure. He is a strategist at heart, with a love for mathematical games, puzzles, and the tactical depth of submarine warfare, which he compares to a game of chess. A notable quirk is his habit of turning his baseball-style cap backwards when he enters a state of deep concentration and begins to employ his full tactical abilities, a signal that the crew has come to recognize as a sign of impending victory. The cap itself, embroidered with HMS Turbulent, is a cherished gift from Tessa's father, Carl Testarossa.
His primary role in the story is as the steadfast second-in-command to Captain Teletha Testarossa. He is responsible for the day-to-day management of the submarine and acts as her most trusted advisor. While he follows her orders with unwavering loyalty, acknowledging her genius-level command abilities, he also holds a special authority. If he determines that the captain has lost normal judgment, he can convene three senior officers to vote and suspend her command privileges, a standard failsafe measure on nuclear vessels. He serves not only as her executive officer but also as a surrogate parent and guardian figure, a role he assumed due to his deep friendship with her late father. This protective instinct manifests as a comical, yet stern, overprotectiveness towards Tessa. He is notably distrustful of Sousuke Sagara, largely because he sees the young sergeant as a disruption to Tessa's professional focus and personal well-being.
Mardukas possesses several key relationships that define his actions. His bond with Carl Testarossa was forged during a naval mission where Mardukas saved Carl's submarine from a Soviet attacker, a victory that also introduced him to the secrets of Tessa's unique heritage. This history is the primary reason he left the Royal Navy after a bureaucratic dispute and joined Mithril to protect Carl's daughter. He holds Captain Tessa in the highest professional regard, and the mutual trust between them is the bedrock of the TDD-1's effectiveness.
While his background is in naval command, his character shows notable development and surprising versatility. Though he is a by-the-book officer, he is not a rigid thinker. His tactical acumen is formidable, demonstrated decisively during the events of The Dancing Very Merry Christmas, where, with Tessa off-ship, he took full command and single-handedly destroyed multiple enemy submarines using a clever trap. Furthermore, despite being a surface officer, he is capable in close-quarters combat, displaying reflexes and skills on par with a seasoned soldier, such as deflecting a thrown grenade. By the conclusion of the series, after a long career defined by duty and service, Mardukas makes the personal decision to leave Mithril, with the stated plan of seeking reconciliation with his ex-wife, adding a layer of grounded humanity to his otherwise intense and professional persona.