A data storage system is provided having identical information stored on two different domains, actuators independently moveable in a data transfer relationship with each domain, and a command queue controller configured for short-stroking the actuators in accessing the information from one of the domains. A method is provided for virtualizing a storage space to store user data in a first domain and redundant data in a second domain; pushing access commands from a command queue with a first head adjacent the first domain and a second head adjacent the second domain, the heads being independently moveable in relation to each other; and satisfying a retrieve command from one of the first and second domains, depending on which head is nearest an LBA associated with the retrieve command.