T-X
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Terminator Model T-X, nicknamed the "Terminatrix", is a fictional gynoid assassin and an elite unit of Skynet's Machine Army in the movie [[Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines]].
The T-X, played by actress Kristanna Loken in the female appearance it assumes throughout most of the film, was an extremely advanced robot composed of a combat-hardened endo-skeleton designed to resist external attack with a mimetic poly-alloy liquid metal exterior, and was highly superior to the basic T-800 - 850 series cyborg Terminator model, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Its official Skynet classification is T-X Enhanced Logic Weapons Systems Cybernetic Warrior/Infiltrator Unit. T-X's utilization of nanotechnology gave it advanced regeneration and limited shapeshifting abilities through body contact, much like its precursor, the entirely liquid metal T-1000, which appeared in [[Terminator 2: Judgment Day]]. Besides incredible strength and speed, it also had various kinds of innate ranged weapons and has the ability to infect computers with viruses and take over computer-controlled machinery. Its main power source is a miniature plasma fusion reactor housed in its torso. Projectiles appear to have no effect on the T-X's exterior. Its primary weapon is an inbuilt plasma cannon in its right arm. If the T-X's weapon is damaged, for the purpose of the film audience, an on-screen display chooses a new weapon. The display shows the name of the weapon and a description.
There are at least 25 identified weapons:
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Like the T-1000, the T-X is less strictly robotic than the 800 or 850 series terminators. All the same, the term cybernetic organism is as least loosely applicable. With the new continuum transporter, it was no longer necessary for objects transported back in time to be organic. It is reasoned that the T-X was sent back naked so as to be better able to acquire a more appropriate disguise than something from the future. By default, the T-X's form is "naked" until it finds a subject it can copy.
The T-X was sent back in time by Skynet; its prime directive was to assassinate Kate Brewster and other future lieutenants of John Connor in his quest to save the remains of humanity in the post-apocalyptic machine-controlled future. Using whatever fragmentary records survived the "Judgment Day" nuclear exchange, as well as interfacing with contemporary computers to access education and employment records, the T-X methodically proceeded to eliminate the persons on its list. It was not initially concerned with Connor, as Connor had specifically avoided creating any such records of his movements and was thus impossible to locate.
The T-X typically approached an unsuspecting target, asked the target to verify his or her name, then shot the target. The T-X was also capable of performing DNA identification (shown by it licking a blood sample) and it was in this manner that it confirmed that a discarded bandage had been used by its primary target, John Connor. The T-X immediately shifted its focus to him, precipitating a series of violent chases and escapes. Any time Connor managed to evade the T-X (to which he referred in an unofficial fashion as the "Terminatrix"), it returned to its original list of targets. The final chase began when the T-X infiltrated a U.S. Air Force research facility to kill Kate Brewster's father, Lieutenant-General Robert Brewster. Kate Brewster, John Connor and the T-850 had also travelled to the base to warn him, but arrived too late to prevent his death.
The T-X was not completely indestructible. Though the T-X shrugs off major attacks through most of the film, it is heavily damaged when the T-850 crashes into it with a helicopter. Though its polymorphous metal coating is now gone, and it is forced to detach and abandon its legs (pinned under helicopter wreckage), it continued to pursue John Connor (in a manner similar to a heavily-damaged but determined T-800 crawling after Sarah Connor in the first film), seizing and injuring his ankle. Only the intervention of the T-850, jamming and igniting its last power cell in the T-X's mouth, managed to finally destroy the T-X (and itself).
The role of the T-X was originally planned for actress Joanie Laurer, a former WWE wrestler known as "Chyna". Actresses Famke Janssen, Carrie-Anne Moss, Peta Wilson, Lucy Lawless and Jeri Ryan were also considered at some early stages of production for the part.
Tactical Overview
The T-X is Skynet’s newest design in Terminator technology which is generally superior design which hybridizes some of the concepts apparent in both the 800/850 and 1000 series models. The abilities of this newest model are near terrifying to some. It represents a return to the endoskeletory model of the former while retaining the poly-mimetic capabilities of the latter. Unlike the T-1000, which could mimic anything at all within a certain mass range, the T-X, having a solid core, can only mimic the appearance of human beings. This marginal sacrifice in poly-mimetic capabilities was made in order to give the T-X inbuilt weapons and nanotech transjectors (devices which allow the unit to commandeer other computerised equipment.) This makes the T-X completely superior to the T-800/850 (the only known way a T-850 can destroy a T-X is by self-destructing at point blank range.) The T-X even surpasses the T-1000 in terms of durability and how much damage can be taken before the unit is stopped. This along with its ability to continue fighting so quickly and the sheer destructive power the T-X has make it the superior model to all previous models. Aside from this it is about equal to the T-1000 in terms of speed and agility though slightly lacking to a slight extent in intelligence gathering. To put it simply: The T-X is one of the most dangerous cybernetic organisms in science fiction and the most deadly Terminator built thus far.Durability
The armor of the T-X is vastly superior to any previous Terminator model. Much like the T-1000 the composition of its metal is unknown. While a T-1000 is virtually invulnerable to physical attack, the relatively soft form provided by its poly-alloy construction can cause it to lose valuable time regenerating which may cause it to lose its prey. Extreme heat or cold also damage it on the molecular level which can lead to its eventual destruction. Theoretically concussions from explosions that are powerful enough would damage it in a similar fashion as well. The hardened combat-chassis of the T-X is slightly more vulnerable than the T-1000 to physical attacks to a slight extent, but this is marginal at best and all around the T-X is far more durable and able to withstand more forms of attack then the T-1000. The T-X is able to easily shrug off attacks from all hand held weapons (rifles, machine guns, shotguns, etc.) it is possibly damaged from major physical impacts (such as being hit by a helicopter).No one can say for sure though since the T-X takes a direct hit from a rocket launcher and comes out of a giant crane wreck practically unscathed (the former probably would have been very dangerous to an earlier model). The endoskeleton is slowed very little if at all from most forms of attack thus allowing the T-X to return to its feet almost immediately to continue pursuit. The liquid metal component of it does not require a very long time to reform either. The T-X' s endoskeleton is vastly superior to that of the T-800.
It is hard to be certain just how much damage the T-X took if any at all when it was hit by the helicopter due to inconsistencies within the scene. Most of the liquid metal component was scattered in the impact, but this was not a major issue. However, there are disagreements as to whether the T-X disconnected (or ripped) its legs off or they were severed in the impact. At any rate, due to the fact that its primary targets were getting away, the T-X did not bother to waste time trying to repair them or free itself. The T-X also showed disruptions in its vision, an indicator of internal systems damage.
However, the most likely source of this damage is the particle accelerator that was encountered earlier. This damage appeared to do very little though to slow it down. With its ability to take multiple hits by a very strong T-850 model, take a direct hit from explosives and be hit by moving cars at high speeds with practically no damage the T-X is shown to be near invulnerable. Magnets cause little damage to it internally or externally while most Terminator units would probably suffer major damage from such devices. This aside the T-X can likely withstand hot or cold temperatures far greater then that of the previous T-800/850 and 1-000 models. Explosives (grenades, rockets, etc.) while dangerous to earlier models and capable of hurting them to some extent are of little to no threat to the T-X and its armor. The armor possesses no real known weaknesses aside from extreme measures and only a miniature nuclear explosion was capable of destroying the T-X for good.
Speed
The T-800 and T-850 are the slowest out of the 4, whereas observed action of the T-1000 and T-X place them at about the same speed in terms of running though the T-X is probably a bit faster. Hypothetically, however, the T-1000 might be faster if it were to modify its structure for elongated limbs, which would create a broader stride. The T-1000 has a longer regeneration time than the T-X.Integrated weapons array
Previous Terminators were limited to their physical strength, what was available in their current environment, or what could be forged directly out of liquid metal (T-1000). Whether the T-X deploys a plasma cannon, or makes use of its nanotech transjectors, the results are typically devastating. However, unlike the liquid-metal construction of the weapons employed by the T-1000, the weapons of a T-X use moving parts, and are subsequently more vulnerable to damage than that of the T-1000. This is probably not of great concern given that small arms were still completely inadequate to damage the weapon cluster in the right forearm. Only the direct hit of a rocket to that hand actually achieved any damage during observed combat sequences and seemed to only damage a single weapon in that arm. It is possible that the liquid metal component of the T-X can separate and form a smaller T-1000 unit.Strength
The entirely liquid metal, and effectively soft, construction of a T-1000 was approximately equal to that of the 800 series, though it did have the edge in hand-to-hand combat due to superior speed, and its ability to change shape at will. The T-850 is easily far stronger then either of these models. However the sheer strength of the T-X series is probably very great since the T-X Terminator appears to have been made strong enough to terminate both humans and machines alike.There is no indication of just how strong it is, but its ability to push a very heavy T-850 model around easily and to hurt humans badly without effort (e.g., it severely wounds John Connor's leg simply by grabbing it) indicate it is extremely powerful. The T-850 is strong enough to hold its own in hand to hand combat with the T-X for a limited amount of time but is unable to cause any damage to it and has almost no chance of winning. Although stronger than any previous model it does not appear to be more agile than the T-1000, however it can make full 360 degree turns with its head and body making it able to fight from odd positions very easily.
Due to the increased physical strength, coupled with the hardened skeleton, the T-X is far less likely to be slowed significantly by small arms fire. While the 800 or 1000 series were sent sprawling by five or six shotgun blasts, the T-X was barely nudged by an equivalent attack. Indeed, in order to get the same impact against a T-X, it was necessary to hit one of these terminators with heavy 40 mm slugs.
Vulnerability to Magnetism
The T-X's mimetic polyalloy can be forcefully removed and restrained by a strong magnetic field, temporarily incapacitating it, although the endoskeleton is stronger and can still achieve sufficient function to free itself in some instances. Although it is never shown, it can be hypothesized that the T-1000 would be even more vulnerable to strong magnetism as its whole body is made out of mimetic polyalloy and once restrained by magnetic force it would have no way to free itself. The T-800 would probably be incapacitated as well. It is possible that magnetism may cause internal damage but there is no evidence to prove or deny this.Infiltration/Intelligence gathering capabilities
The T-X has superior Infiltration/Intelligence gathering abilities than the T-800. The T-800, while looking human, was generally ill-suited to this task with its conspicious exterior and poor social skills. The T-X abilities can be assumed to be equal or greater to that of the T-1000 since Skynet always improves upon older models. The T-X is able to perform DNA scanning to locate targets, while the T-1000 is apparently able to discern information through tactile contact (as seen on the extended version of T-2.) The T-X can take control over vehicles and primitive robots completely, while being able to partially control advanced cyborgs. However the T-X´s polymorphing abilities are inferior to those of the T-1000 (which can flatten itself into part of a floor or wall) due to the T-X's solid skeleton. This makes the T-1000 slightly harder to detect, and it can move through a facility in ways that the T-X cannot (through pipes, vent ducts etc.)This slight sacrifice of stealth ability seems to have been acceptable to Skynet with the wide array of ability’s the T-X has along with being able to perfectly mimic any person it comes in contact with.Behavioral Patterns
In approach to its assignment, the T-X's programming may have more in common with the 800 series than the 1000. The T-X is a focused and efficient investigator, and approaches its job with the same detachment as the earlier model. Where this is perhaps most evident is in its use of violence. Although not specifically stated, it can be presumed that it has the same files regarding human psychology as the T-850 -just as the T-800 protecting and T-1000 sent after John Connor in the 90s had the same files- further aiding its infiltration abilities when called on. Albeit utilized in a fashion befitting its attractive female outer appearance, T-X put on a seductive voice to a police officer who pulled her over before killing him and taking his firearm and then enlarges its bust when it sees a billboard likely as psychological weapon to confuse or distract enemies.
The biggest weakness of the T-X is the same as that for all the Terminators sent by Skynet - a certain lack of creativity. The CPU itself is the most advanced model applied to any Terminator, but that isn't where the problem lies. The programming consistently drives them to pursue the target above all else. While this might seem a good thing, it often leads them to the mistake of moving on before finishing off a foe when it might be smarter to risk letting the target get farther away. (For example, the T-X is ultimately defeated by neglecting the T-850 in favor of directly chasing Connor and Brewster, allowing the T-850 to seize hold of the T-X and destroy it with the T-850's own hydrogen power cell.) This lack of effective decision making probably comes down to an aspect mentioned in the extended version of Terminator 2. When sent out on their own, Terminators have their CPUs set to read only, which effectively prohibits them from learning and adapting, or making any choices on their own for that matter.
References
There are several references and in-jokes associated with the T-X's weapons array alone.
- The "Needler" is a weapon from the video game Fallout 2 and was later used in the Halo video games for the Xbox which peppers a target with sharp crystal shards, which then explode.
- The "HDE Predator" is likely a reference to the Predator aliens, which have battled Terminators in various comic crossovers.
- The "HK-54334" is probably a reference to the Hunter/Killer machines seen in the Future War segments of the films.
- The "RUMSFELD P81 CAUSTIC" is a reference to Donald Rumsfeld.
- The "XFLRG - 44 mm" is a nod to the name of the rocket in the Tintin Book Destination Moon.
- The Plasma Cannon in the 60 watt range is an obvious homage to when the T-800 asks a gun store owner for a "phased plasma rifle in the forty-watt range" in the original movie.
- The "M41 Pulse Rifle" is a nod to the Alien series, where the M41A Pulse Rifle is a standard marine assault rifle.
| The Terminator series | |
|---|---|
| Films | The Terminator | [[Terminator 2: Judgment Day]] | [[Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines]] |
| Characters | Sarah Connor | John Connor | Kyle Reese | Miles Dyson | Kate Brewster |
| Terminators | T-800 | T-1000 | T-X |
| Locations | Los Angeles | Skynet | Cyberdyne Systems Corporation |
| Cast | Linda Hamilton | Arnold Schwarzenegger | Michael Biehn | Edward Furlong | Robert Patrick | Nick Stahl | Claire Danes | Kristanna Loken | Earl Boen |
| Crew | James Cameron | Jonathan Mostow | Mario F. Kassar | Andrew G. Vajna | Stan Winston |
| Spin-offs | [[T2 3-D: Battle Across Time]] | RoboCop vs. The Terminator | Aliens vs. Predator vs. The Terminator |
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