It is impossible to win the initiative on the first try during the assault on black crawlers, even if you have enough points with all feats, gear, consumables, etc. You only can attack first if you reload "cp_blackCrawlerBase".
It also appears that you are locked out of his quests and ending if you travel to DC without speaking to Tanner after finding the drill parts (also impossible to get GMS card back, should one need it for some reason). Gene probably should still give you the key along with brew in this case.
