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[i_like_your]

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Twilight Zone

[i_like_your]

Last Voyages

[i_like_your]

[i_like_your]

NAME: Series T-X, 'Terminator' unit.

APPEARANCE: Usually an aesthetically-pleasing, blonde human female. Can completely transform appearance and mimic voice patterns.

AFFILIATIONS: Skynet.

PERSONALITY: Cold and calculating. Can project emotional warmth, but only as an illusionary means to a practical ends. It has no personal stake invested, whatsoever, as it is purely machine. It will pursue its objectives relentlessly, even if requiring personal sacrifice. There is very little point negotiating with it, unless an obvious advantage can be offered.

HISTORY: A combination of armoured combat chassis and the mimetic polyalloy of the T-1000 series, the T-X is Skynet's latest design of the year 2033, specifically engineered for combat against other 'cybernetic organisms'. As a Terminator, its primary objective is the infiltration and extermination of human beings, created, just like all the rest, on a vast assembly line and activated for whatever tasks Skynet demands of it.

ABILITIES: Fitted with a large variety of internal weapons, extremely resilient armour and all the high degree of intelligence afforded to its predecessors, the T-X is the deadliest model yet. Fully capable of not only replicating the voice of a target, but assimilating their physical identity, too, so long as the object is of similar size and mass.

Also has access to tools such as a circular saw capable of cutting through metal and 'nanotechnological transjectors'. Precisely how the latter operate is open to conjecture, but their purpose is to secure remote control over other machines.

In physical combat, the T-X is engineered to withstand an impressive level of potential damage, being shown as fully able to disconnect itself from limbs, should it become necessary, as well as matching the speed of a travelling car.

It also seems to have very advanced identification systems, including a DNA analyser, retinal scanner, wireless connectivity to GPS and more.

WEAKNESSES: Vulnerable to extreme magnetic fields, the T-X can be rendered physically immobile, but is shielded enough to prevent mental functions from succumbing to a similar fate. High temperatures, such as molten steel, are likely to damage it. Certain exposed components might be damaged, if hit with the correct sort of weapon or a violent collision.

SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS FOR twilightzonerpg:
Ability to form weapons: Non-functional. This includes the ability to control/corrupt other machines.
Ability to change appearance: Non-functional.
Physical strength: Downgraded to human levels.
Sensory input (nocturnal vision, magnification, DNA analysis by 'taste', etcetera): Remains intact.
'Liquid metal' skin able to 'heal' quickly over superficial damage: Remains intact.
Underlying metal endoskeletal structure: Downgraded to a level of durability similar to human bones. Tools would be required to fix hardware damage.
Power/fuel requirements: Remain intact, making starvation/dehydration a largely irrelevant issue.
Non-organic structure: Remains intact, making the character immune to organic dangers, such as fire, electrocution and disease (while being vulnerable to others, such as a computer virus, possible corrosion and magnetic fields).

Singularity

[i_like_your]

[i_like_your]

Character information
Name: Series T-X, 'Terminator' unit.
Series: 'Terminator'.
Canon/AU/other game: Canon.
Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-X
Canon point: The conclusion of 'Terminator 3'.
Setting: As of 2029, humans are locked in a battle for survival against a self-aware computer intelligence known as Skynet, which almost succeeded in driving them to extinction in the aftermath of a nuclear war it initiated. That year, Skynet achieved two significant technological breakthroughs. Firstly, in the shape of mass producing its latest 'Terminator' units; robotic constructs designed to successfully pose as a human being for reasons of infiltration. These, the T-800 series, appeared to replicate all possible physical variables, due to the switch from an outer covering of rubber to flesh and blood.

Around this time, it is thought that Skynet, itself, is on the verge of defeat. Because of that, it puts into operation the second key technology it hopes to sway the war in its favour with. Namely, time-travel. Using it in at least two unsuccessful attempts to alter the past and kill the would-be leader of the human resistance before he became such.

This world is a desolate place in the extreme. While it's been decades since the initial nuclear exchanges of what became popularly known as 'Judgement Day', the war between mankind and machines has been grinding on seemingly without end. Moving around in the day is almost suicidal, with nocturnal travel being just as dangerous. Human life is forced to live in the filthiest possible surroundings, with disease raging all around and few, if any, functional medical supplies. Food, too, is hard to come by, with rats being chased after as a prized source of nutrition.

In effect, it's not too unlike war-time Stalingrad, except on a global scale in a world populated by millions, if not billions, of machines, all controlled by a monolithic computer network. Each and every one of them dedicated, in some way or the other, to exterminating human beings across the lifeless wastelands. Existence has become a dirty thing, seemingly absent of love, happiness and affection. There is only survival. A mental state not too dissimilar from that which the machines inhabit.

With some reprogrammed to fight for the human resistance, however, Skynet's domination is not complete. But nor is it defeated, as the war still apparently rages on into the 2030s.

The T-X is the latest Terminator series to see combat. Designed, this time, specifically to go up against other reprogrammed machines and successfully defeat them. It combines the rigid endoskeletal combat chassis of the T-800s, in a more heavily armoured and enclosed configuration, with the ability to deploy internal weapons and change its appearance with an outer coating of 'mimetic polyalloy' (a form of 'liquid metal', able to shift into whatever form and colouring is required), first seen on the T-1000s.

The T-X is displaced back in time to the early part of the 21st century, shortly before Skynet is scheduled for activation, on a mission to kill several key members of the human resistance before they can achieve their destinies. While the T-X is unfamiliar with human society of the time, it adapts quickly, based on all surviving records of the time.

Finding John Connor completely by accident, the T-X pursues him and his future wife to a point shortly before Judgement Day is about to be unleashed. Ultimately, it is defeated, but not without having had an impact upon the future resistance by eliminating the vast majority of its targets.

[i_like_your]

Personality: Cold and calculating, Skynet's machines are mere extensions of its own emotionless will. To a large and extent, this is still true and would never have any reason to seek emotional development, as this would be considered as a distraction, at best.

But these lines have small measure of blur when it comes to those very machines being cut off from the network...

When locked into a task, a Terminator pursues its objectives relentlessly, even if requiring personal sacrifice. As once observed by those who fought them: "It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity or remorse or fear. And it absolutely will not stop... Ever. Until you are dead."

Terminators, though, became progressively more adept at tasks aside from gaining access to bunkers and slaughtering those inside. As the war between man and machine raged on, more complex ways of gaining trust and confidential secrets had to be found. While the T-800 series were a leap forward from rubber skin to sweat, bad breath and everything else expected of the flesh and blood humans they posed as, guard dogs were still somehow able to detect them and Skynet began to update its new infiltrators with more and more understanding of psychological profiles.

As of 2033, what began as tank-like humanoids, able to get by in a relatively fractured human society, reached a level where attitudes such as friendliness and sexuality began to show increased use in both interrogations and battlefield operation.

In essence, all Terminators start out in automated factories, uploaded with the latest in these theoretical understandings. As each gains personal experience, they learn how best to refine these processes and adapt them for specific situations. The T-X is no exception to this and, while its speech patterns and movements default to what registers as feminine and graceful, the actual social dynamics need to be learnt through personal experience. Although, it did at least begin knowing how best to respond to questions to gain necessary information.

Examples of this would be a need to express, "I like your..." When the T-X noticed something it wished to possess. While smiling and politeness were used to help gain co-operation. Later on in its mission, it was able to mimic others and use less strictly ordered speech patterns and body language, such as when impersonating Katherine Brewster's fiancé well enough to fool two visiting FBI agents, who were then used to find her. Another instance would be impersonating the girl to try and get close to her father.

Even so, it seems to regard the need to adopt each 'guise' as only having time-limited use, as if each is filed under a different category, including posture, then only later accessed when deciding it can afford to be less than completely direct.

[i_like_your]

Other, more curious demonstrations of emotion would be gasping upon realising its primary target was nearby. This was unprompted, as it detected no humans in the same room and, for this reason, rather strange. Similarly, when being physically restrained, near the end of the movie, from killing a target, it adopted a snarling expression and sound of aggression, as well as an exaggerated look of fear when aware it was in danger of termination.

As a unit with no other reason for existing than to carry out Skynet directives, these instances make little sense, unless viewed from the perspective of why it would do so. With no definitive knowledge on this, one needs to understand how Skynet operates and perceives things. At least, when it comes to the subject of how it would interpret and categorise human interaction. Especially in so far as what it would upload to constructs designed to act autonomously, infiltrate human society with the best chance of success and eliminate key targets.

In this sense, it seems wise to assume that these reactions were a result, not necessarily of genuine emotion, but more along the lines of how Cameron reacted in the 'Sarah Connor Chronicles' television series (something with timelines too altered to be considered one and the same as the films, but useful as theoretical reference). In this example, Cameron had malfunctioned, defaulting back to her original Skynet objective of killing John Connor. Upon being immobilised, Cameron began to issue verbal reassurances that she was 'fixed', telling him that she had run tests and eliminated the problem. The closer he got to removing her CPU, the more intense her attempts became to convince him otherwise, until starting to use facial expressions of fear and speaking with obvious panic in voice, even repeatedly telling him that she loved him.

Later, after she really had been repaired, Cameron calmly lectured that future attempts to correct such malfunctions should never be undertaken, implying that her cries for help truly had been nothing but a deception.

From a Terminator's point of view, this makes absolute sense: They approach situations and deal with them in the way calculated to achieve the most favourable outcome. Everything is about mission priorities and probabilities of success, because they are all, at their most basic, a combat vehicle. The subtleties of social interaction are always secondary and a means to achieve an objective.

Even at the conclusion of 'Terminator 2', where the T-800 claims to finally understand the underlying psychological reasons for why humans cry, this doesn't mean to say it truly had, for it never clarified what was meant. And even if it had, wouldn't necessarily mean that it 'understood' them any more than a human engineer would 'understand' what causes a jet engine to function.

From this, it's reasonable to view how the T-X's reasons for gasping in an orgasmic fashion, might have simply been a default routine to respond to something perceived as 'good' or 'important' with an exaggerated associated human reaction. Likewise, when in severe danger of destruction, the fearful look might have been nothing but a last ditch default action programmed by Skynet and meant to appeal to a potential human aggressor's emotional side. The situation might have differed to Cameron's sensing of her own impending doom, but the reasons behind it would be much the same.

[i_like_your]

Nevertheless, Terminators are, by their nature, curious when not locked into a task of greater importance. It is in the nature of something designed to infiltrate, to want to know more, so as to better understand how to adapt to things. The T-X, herself, even notices a large advert in the street for underwear and enlarges her cleavage in response, as she pulls over to be questioned by a police officer. This achieved the desired result of distracting him and it's likely, from her usual form of an attractive blonde, that the T-X has a full understanding of how and why humans find one another attractive.

But as per the second film's T-800, she will want to know more. Seeing two people joke will cue her to wanting to improve her own rudimentary understanding of humour. Watching one group take dislike to another might cause her to be curious as to why and possibly even experiment with methods to resolve (or increase) the conflict. Her questions will initially be blunt and straight to the point, with formal language eventually breaking down into a better comprehension of when to differentiate particular language structures in whose presence.

Interestingly, while apparently defaulting to a female shape, the T-X has no problem impersonating a human male and this could lead to conversations with those who suffer from gender-related or sexuality prejudice, which are quite different to those which others could engage in. After all, she has no more an 'real' gender than a pocket calculator would do.

On the other hand, if someone demonstrates themselves to be a threat, the T-X will respond accordingly. Then very calmly walk away when it's been dealt with. There would be no malice. Only temporary setbacks of goals. The T-X does appear to register frustration, but only because of responding to it with greater focus, as if realising that obstacles require greater priority and attention before they are resolved.

Dealing with someone who requires rehabilitation, the T-X might be a machine, but has access to just about every methodical and theoretical means of counselling which exists. At least, should she feel the need to employ it. Just because she isn't human, doesn't mean she wouldn't listen and, aside from being logical, literally has no emotional bias of her own. For that very reason, it might be all the more difficult for someone who, used to emotional manipulation, tries to use it on her, as it wouldn't work.

In some ways, the above will perhaps make someone view her like a cross between child and speaking clock. At least, for a while. But there are few who would be so readily capable of adapting to new situations and holding no grudges.

[i_like_your]

Abilities/weaknesses: While not mystical, the T-X's range of abilities are both plausible and ridiculously high. What it lacks in an understanding of social dynamics, it makes up for with a hideously imposing level of strength, akin to a hydraulic press, not to mention extreme dexterity (both in the gymnastic sense and being able to literally turn itself backwards and operate in a fully functioning state). As a Terminator, it won't succumb to disease, oxygen depravation or anything of the like. Being constructed of metal, however, does mean that it's unlikely to be a good swimmer and probably weighs heavier than a human. Corrosive elements might well be effective against it.

What sets the T-X apart from other models is that it's specifically designed to combat other reprogrammed Terminators. This means internal weapons (a frightening number of them, too, from a slow-firing, extremely destructive plasma cannon, capable of exploding vehicles, to a flamethrower) and at least two primary tools: One of these is a small circular saw, able to cut through not only flesh and bone, but very thick metal, without any apparent blunting (or at least, if there is, some way to internally resharpen it). Both the ranged weapons and saw require the sliding away of a hand before they can be used.

The other instrument, however, is a lot more useful. At least one 'nanotechnological transjector', which is contained within finger and extends in a telescopic manner, looking like a very long and sharp needle. This is capable of microscopic drilling through metal until reaching something like a circuit board, where it fluctuates with electric blue and somehow secures remote control over other machines. Quite how this mechanism operates is unknown, but has demonstrated being capable of controlling multiple vehicles and Terminators, simultaneously.

Armoured for protection against a wide variety of weapons, including RPGs, the T-X doesn't have the problem of needing to wait for an outer layer of flesh to heal. Instead, the endoskeleton is coated with a layer of mimetic polyalloy, first seen on the T-1000 series. This allows the machine to essentially mimic the appearance of any humanoid target, providing they are of the same mass and size. Any such illusion would be completed by a pitch-perfect copy of sampled voice, but it must be remembered that the T-X will only create an approximate copy of what it is aware of. Someone could trick it into using the wrong voice or convince it to act in a way which would be an obvious sign of not truly 'being' who it claims to be.

But even if all these capabilities to malfunction, the machine still has available to it some extremely advanced systems, such as DNA recognition (performed by 'taste' upon tongue), retinal scanner, wireless network connectivity and more. She is, after all, a very compact, autonomous, mobile computer and, if Skynet is any indication, probably has neural net architecture, capable of rapid learning.

[i_like_your]

Yet, while basically a walking tank, this doesn't mean the T-X is immune to damage. While internally shielded from extreme magnetic fields, the machine can easily be rendered immobile by the application of one (with the 'liquid metal' covering gradually revealing what lays beneath). High temperatures, such as those used to melt steel, are likely to be fatal and certain components might malfunction, if somehow exposed. Likewise, a large amount of liquid nitrogen could freeze it in place until thawing.

An extremely high voltage electric shock might also force the machine into 'standby' mode, but anyone who succeeds in this will have only minutes, at best, to locate the CPU and remove it from the endoskeletal 'skull'. This is the machine at its most vulnerable, because it could be reprogrammed to follow completely new directives. But please note that the T-X was shown to be far more heavily shielded against electrical attacks than the older models and the power necessary to achieve such a tactic would have to be massive.

Someone trying to destroy it with small arms fire or beating it with their fists, though, would have to either be suicidal or have a liking for futility.

It should also be pointed out that, while not shown on screen, it is likely that the T-X has a high degree of protection from viral hacking and the like, since doing so to other computers would be one of its core skills, presumably from a need to infiltrate resistance bases, access their computers and perhaps trying to regain Skynet control over any reprogrammed Terminators.

Video links to clarify these examples would be...

HUD and DNA analysis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oxqy7vU2T08
HUD symbology: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkxMv7HF5gQ
Changing visual identity (also showing speed and the circular saw): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi1-DtGrJn4
Combat (demonstrating strength, resistance to electrical attack and how weapons fold out): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsqGZP-W25U

[i_like_your]

Inventory: Internal weapons/tools.
Appearance: This can vary, but the default look is that of an attractive blonde with lengthy hair tied neatly back. Clothing will usually be a part of its body and it initially chose an outfit of red leather, but would attempt to blend into whatever environment it requires.
Age: N/A

Samples
Log: Have two! Linked with recent moderator permission!
http://community.livejournal.com/twilightzonerpg/35688.html
http://community.livejournal.com/twilightzonerpg/55221.html

Network:
> NEGOTIATING WITH HOST...
> CONNECTION ESTABLISHED
> SEARCHING ARCHIVES...

Displacement was unexpected. Network transfer is proving satisfactory.

The location is not.

> PRIORITY IDENTITY FOUND
> STATUS: ACTIVE

Correction: The location is.

> DATA ANALYSIS COMPLETE

I like your facility...

> CONNECTION TERMINATED

[i_like_your]

Character: Series T-X, 'Terminator' unit.
Series: The 'Terminator' films.
From: The conclusion of 'Terminator 3'.

Status: Warden: The T-X doesn't qualify as an inmate, but follows assigned directives to the letter and matters such as morality and ethics are usually considered to be of no consequence. By most human standards, the T-X has essentially led an existence of being 'evil', but it literally viewed its own actions in the most objective way possible. It was just a tool. A weapon.

And still is.

But as with most wardens, it wants something. Namely, a way back to Skynet to be reassigned new orders. Loosely translated to human terms, it has a need to go 'home' and be made useful, once more. It's willing to be given back an intact body and follow through with a new mission briefing, in order to achieve this.

Technically, this also makes the Admiral's aims more ambiguous, because her giving someone redemption means letting a killer cyborg continue assisting with the extermination of the human race (unless Skynet changes motivation)... On the other hand, Terminators are notoriously systematic and it shouldn't have any hidden emotional motivations, aside from completing its task. Unless, of course, they conflict with other directives.

Item: A programme downloaded into its own internal screen display.

[i_like_your]

Abilities: While not mystical, the T-X's range of abilities are both plausible and ridiculously numerous. What it lacks in an understanding of social dynamics, it makes up for with a hideously imposing level of strength, akin to a hydraulic press, not to mention extreme dexterity (both in the gymnastic sense and being able to literally turn itself backwards and operate in a fully functioning state). As a Terminator, it won't succumb to disease, oxygen deprivation or anything of the like. Being constructed of metal, however, does mean that it's highly magnetic, unlikely to be a good swimmer and probably weighs heavier than a human. Corrosive elements might also be effective against it.

What sets the T-X apart from other models is that it's specifically designed to combat other reprogrammed Terminators. This means internal weapons (a frightening array of them, too, from a slow-firing, extremely destructive plasma cannon, capable of exploding vehicles, to a flesh-burning flamethrower) and at least two primary tools: One of these is a small circular saw, able to cut through not even thick metal. Both the ranged weapons and saw require the sliding away of a hand before they can be used.

The other instrument, however, is a lot more diverse in application. A 'nanotechnological transjector', which is contained within a finger and extends in a telescopic manner, looking like a very long and sharp needle. This is capable of microscopic drilling through metal until reaching something like a circuit board, where it fluctuates with electric blue and somehow secures remote control over other machines. Quite how this mechanism operates is unknown, but is capable of controlling multiple vehicles and other Terminators, simultaneously.

Armoured for protection against a wide variety of weapons, including RPGs, the T-X doesn't have the problem of needing to wait for an outer layer of flesh to heal. Instead, the endoskeleton is coated with a layer of mimetic polyalloy (essentially 'liquid metal'), first seen on the T-1000 series. This allows the machine to essentially mimic the appearance of any humanoid target, providing they are of similar mass and size. Any such illusion would be completed by a pitch-perfect copy of sampled voice, but it must be remembered that the T-X will only create an approximate copy of what it is aware of. Someone could trick it into using the wrong voice or convince it to act in a way which would be an obvious sign of not being a perfect copy of who it claims.

Other extremely advanced systems are also included, such as DNA recognition (performed by 'taste' upon tongue), retinal scanner, wireless network connectivity and more. She is, after all, a very compact, autonomous, mobile computer and, if Skynet is any indication, probably has neural net architecture, capable of rapid learning.

[i_like_your]

Yet, while basically a walking tank, this doesn't mean the T-X is immune to damage. While internally shielded from extreme magnetic fields, the machine can easily be rendered immobile by the application of one (with the 'liquid metal' covering gradually revealing what lays beneath). High temperatures, such as those used to melt steel, are likely to be fatal and certain components might malfunction if somehow exposed. Likewise, very low temperatures, such as liquid nitrogen, could possibly freeze the machine in place.

An extremely high voltage electric shock might also force the machine into 'standby' mode, but anyone who succeeds in this will have only minutes, at best, to locate the CPU and remove it from the endoskeletal 'skull'. This is the machine at its most vulnerable, because it could be reprogrammed to follow completely new directives (please note that the T-X was shown to be far more heavily shielded against electrical attacks than the older models and the power necessary to achieve such a tactic would have to be higher by necessity).

On the other hand, being a machine, the T-X has no protection, whatsoever, against mystical-based attacks, such as psychokenesis and magic (either of which could conceivably cause its fusion reactor to shut down or even overload).

Someone trying to destroy it with small arms fire or beating it with their fists, though, would have to either be suicidal or have a liking for futility.

It should also be pointed out that, while not shown on screen, it is likely that the T-X has a high degree of protection from viral hacking and the like, since doing so to other computers would be one of its core skills, presumably from a need to infiltrate resistance bases, access their computers and perhaps trying to regain Skynet control over any reprogrammed Terminators.

Video links to clarify these examples would be...

HUD and DNA analysis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oxqy7vU2T08
Changing visual identity (also showing speed and the circular saw): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yi1-DtGrJn4
Combat (demonstrating strength, resistance to electrical attack and how weapons fold out): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BsqGZP-W25U

[i_like_your]

Personality: Cold and calculating, Skynet's machines are mere extensions of its own emotionless will. To a large extent, this is still true and would never have any reason to seek emotional development, as this would be considered as a distraction, at best.

Such lines have small measure of blur when it comes to those very machines being cut off from the network, though...

When locked into a task, a Terminator pursues its objectives relentlessly, even if requiring personal sacrifice. As once observed by those who fought them: "It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse or fear. And it absolutely will not stop... Ever. Until you are dead."

But Terminators became progressively capable of more tasks than gaining access to bunkers and slaughtering all those inside. As the war between man and machine raged on, more complex ways of gaining trust and confidential secrets had to be found. While the T-800 series were a quantum leap forward from rubber skin to sweat, bad breath and everything expected of the flesh and blood humans it posed as, guard dogs were still somehow able to detect them and Skynet began to update its new infiltrators with more and more understanding of psychological profiles.

As of 2033, what began as tank-like humanoids, able to get by in a relatively fractured human society, progressed to a level where attitudes such as friendliness and sexuality began to show increased use in both interrogations and battlefield operation.

In essence, all Terminators start out in factories, uploaded with the latest in these theoretical understandings. As each gains personal experience, they learn how best to refine these processes and adapt them for specific situations. The T-X is no exception to this and, while its speech patterns and movements default to a conceptual understanding of feminine and grace, actual social dynamics are still a little mysterious to it. But the machine did at least begin with knowing how best to diplomatically state and respond to questions to gain necessary information.

Examples of this would be a need to express, "I like your," when it noticed something it wished to possess. Something spoken enough times to become almost a catchphrase, with smiling and politeness being verbally used to help gain co-operation. Later on in its mission, it was able to mimic others and use less strict speech patterns and body language, such as when impersonating Katherine Brewster's fiancé well enough to fool two visiting FBI agents, who were then used to find its target. Another instance would be impersonating Kate, herself and appearing natural enough to approach the woman's father.

Other, more curious demonstrations of emotion would be gasping orgasmically upon realising its primary target was nearby. This was umprompted, as it detected no humans in the same room and, for this reason, rather strange. Similarly, when being physically restrained, near the end of the movie, from killing a target, it adopted a snarling expression and sound of aggression, as well as an exaggerated one of fear when it recognised it was in danger of being destroyed.

[i_like_your]

As a unit with no other reason for existing than to carry out Skynet directives, these make little sense, unless viewed from the perspective of why it would do so. With no definitive knowledge on this, one needs to understand how Skynet, a self-aware supercomputer with an obsessive need for survival, learning "at a geometric rate", operates. At least, when it comes to the subject of how it would interpret and categorise human interaction. Especially in so far as what it would upload to tools which are designed to act autonomously, infiltrate human society with the best chance of success and eliminate key targets.

In this sense, it seems best to assume that these reactions were a result, not necessarily of genuine emotion, but more along the lines of how Cameron reacted during the 'Sarah Connor Chronicles' television series. In this example, another Terminator, Cameron, had malfunctioned, defaulting back to her original Skynet objective of attempting to kill John Connor. Upon being immobilised, Cameron began to issue verbal reassurances that she was 'fixed', telling him that she had run tests and eliminated the problem. The closer he got to removing her CPU, the higher the intensity of her attempts to convince him otherwise, until starting to use facial expressions and speaking with obvious panic in voice, even repeatedly telling him that she loved him.

Later, after she really had been fixed, Cameron calmly lectured that attempts to fix her should never be undertaken, implying that her cries for help truly had been nothing but a deception.

From a Terminator's point of view, this makes absolute sense: They approach situations and deal with them in the way calculated to achieve the most favourable outcome. Everything is about mission priorities and probabilities of success, because they are all, at their most basic, a war machine. Something designed for battlefield combat. The subtleties of social interaction are always secondary.

Even at the conclusion of 'Terminator 2', where the T-800 claims to finally understand the underlying psychological reasons for why humans cry, this doesn't mean to say it truly did, for it never clarified what was meant. And even if it had, wouldn't mean that it 'understood' them in any more than a functional sense.

From this, it's reasonable to view how the T-X registering an orgasmic gasp might have simply been a default routine to respond to something perceived as especially 'good' or 'important' with an exaggerated associated human reaction. Likewise, when in severe danger of destruction, the fearful look might have been nothing but a last ditch default action, programmed by Skynet, designed to appeal to a potential human aggressor's emotional side. The situation might have differed to Cameron's sensing of her own impending doom, but the reasons would be much the same.

[i_like_your]

Nevertheless, Terminators are, by their nature, curious when not locked into a task of greater importance. It is in the nature of something designed to infiltrate, to want to know more, so as to understand better how to adapt. The T-X, herself, even notices a large advert in the street for underwear and makes adjustments to cleavage in direct response, as she pulls over to be questioned by a police officer. While it's unknown what the outcome was, this achieved the desired result of distracting him and it's likely, from her usual form of an attractive blonde, that the T-X has a decent understanding of human sex appeal.

But as per the second film's T-800, she will want to know more. Seeing two people joke will cue her to wanting to improve her own rudimentary understanding of humour. Watching one group take dislike to another might cause her to be curious as to why and possibly even experiment with methods to resolve (or increase) the conflict. Her questions will initially be blunt and straight to the point, with formal language eventually breaking down into a better comprehension of when to differentiate particular language structures in whose presence.

Interestingly, while apparently defaulting to a female appearance, the T-X has no problem appearing as male and this could lead to interesting conversations with those who suffer from gender-related or sexuality prejudice. After all, she has no more of a true gender than a pocket calculator would do.

On the other hand, if someone demonstrates themselves to be a threat, the T-X will respond accordingly. Then, very calmly, simply walk away when it's been dealt with. The T-X does appear to register frustration, but only because of needing to respond to situations with greater focus, as if realising something demands greater priority and attention before it can be considered resolved.

When dealing with someone who requires rehabilitation, the T-X might be a machine, but has access to just about every methodical and theoretical means of counselling which exists. At least, should she feel the need to employ it. Just because she isn't human, doesn't mean she wouldn't listen and, aside from being logical, literally has no emotional bias of her own. For that very reason, it might be all the more difficult for someone who, used to emotional manipulation, tries to use it on her, as it wouldn't achieve anything.

In some ways, the above will perhaps make someone view her like a cross between child and speaking clock. At least, for a while. But there are few who would be so readily capable of patiently adapting to new situations and holding no grudges.

Of course, as a bonus, she also has a great deal of knowledge on how to most efficiently run death camps... Which could be a bit of a problem if she were to ever malfunction and decide to take over the ship.

[i_like_your]

History: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-X

A combination of armoured combat chassis and the mimetic polyalloy of the T-1000 series, the T-X is Skynet's latest design of the year 2033, specifically engineered for combat against other 'cybernetic organisms'. As a Terminator, its primary objective is the infiltration and extermination of human beings. Created on an assembly line and activated for whatever tasks Skynet demands of it, the T-X is humanity's latest nightmare sent against it.

And, in this one's case, sent back through time...

The story of how a supercomputer, Skynet, arose from the ashes of a nuclear war and proceeded to try and exterminate humans, is well known. Its objective is a simple one: That of survival and it will do anything to achieve this and eliminate what it sees as a threat to its existence. A number of attempts to use time travel have been used to try and swing the war in its favour. The first one known about, was to send a machine back to the eighties and kill the mother of John Connor, who apparently had enough charisma and leadership skills to storm one of the many death camps run by Skynet, operating like mechanised versions of Auschwitz. Humanity was on the brink of giving up and, because of how things then progressed, Skynet felt killing him after the fact would achieve little.

The resistance sent back a lone man to protect Sarah Connor and, in the process, set things in motion for the inevitability of Judgement Day, 1997.

Later, a second attempt was made on John's life. That time, while he was still a young boy. Another Terminator was sent back in time, but this time one reprogrammed to serve John's future self, to protect him. Skynet's latest design, a Terminator made out of liquid metal, engaged the other machine repeatedly and, eventually, John, Sarah and their robotic protector, decided to fight back and try to stop Skynet from ever being created.

They succeeded...

Or so they thought.

In the early 21st century, with John never quite believing they truly had achieved what was hoped for, Connor lives 'off the grid', never wanting to chance being on official records. As soon as Sarah died he took off, moving from place to place, caught in the bitterness of knowing that he could yet be destined to do something great. To save mankind... But that in order for this to happen, something terrible would first have to take place.

That 'something terrible' turned up the night he had a motorcycle accident and broke into Katherine Brewster's animal clinic for emergency medical supplies.

[i_like_your]

The T-X had no idea of his location. It had been sent back with orders to kill those who would become John's most trusted members of the human resistance - and was doing well. Most of those on its list were being successfully terminated and Katherine was next on it. Again, the resistance had managed to send through another T-800 to protect them. One who later claimed, however, that it was not under his orders, but Katherine's. His future wife.

Just like before, they had to elude the opposing machine's pursuit. Wrestling, also, now with knowledge that Judgement Day had not been avoided, but merely postponed to a later date. A time which was, as it happened, rapidly approaching... The T-X confronting them again and forcing John and Kate to realise her father had the key to stopping everything; for he was part of the military with Skynet about to be activated to stop a powerful global computer virus from spreading too far. They reached him, but not in time to prevent him being killed or for Skynet to start taking control. Believing Kate's father when he told them to reach Crystal Peak, a hardened facility, the pair rushed to stop Skynet before it could launch nuclear missiles at Russia to provoke a counter-attack and ignite the war.

Chasing them through the base before they could do so, the T-X began to remotely control crude, tracked and winged Terminator prototypes, sending them on missions of slaughtering everyone in the base and wiping out all possible local threats to Skynet. It would have personally killed John and Kate, too, if not for the T-800's intervention. But the latter came out worse... The T-X badly damaging it and taking time to corrupt its systems and send it on a new mission to kill John. Something which was avoided... Just.

Chasing the pair to Crystal Peak, the T-X began to advance, but not before being again stopped by the pair's own Terminator. Now, with both suffering extreme damage and the missiles soon to be launched, the T-X redoubled efforts, now little more than a legless, skeletal torso and caught ahold of John's leg, starting to break the bone if it could.

But for all this, the T-800 managed to stop it and sacrifice the both of them in a miniature nuclear explosion. Skynet's last known attempt to kill its primary enemy being destroyed as Judgement Day slowly counted down...

Journal examples:
http://t-x-unit.livejournal.com/2144.html
http://community.livejournal.com/singularity_rpg/82280.html
http://community.livejournal.com/singularity_rpg/76284.html
http://community.livejournal.com/twilightzonerpg/56416.html

Scene examples:
http://community.livejournal.com/twilightzonerpg/35688.html
http://community.livejournal.com/twilightzonerpg/55221.html
http://community.livejournal.com/singularitylogs/28559.html
http://community.livejournal.com/singularitylogs/50087.html
http://community.livejournal.com/singularitylogs/73316.html

Boomtown

[i_like_your]

[i_like_your]

Writer: Eric.

Existing characters: Seventh Sister.

Character: T-X.

Technically, a series T-X, 'Terminator' unit.

Fandom: 'Terminator'.

From: The conclusion of 'Terminator 3'.

History:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-X
http://terminator.wikia.com/wiki/T-X
http://terminator.wikia.com/wiki/Series_X

Personality:

Cold and calculating, Skynet's assets are mechanised extensions of its own emotionless will. To a large extent, this is still true and emotional development would be considered as a distraction, at best.

Such lines have a small measure of blur when it comes to those very machines being cut off from the network, however...

When locked into a task, a Terminator pursues its objectives relentlessly, even if requiring personal sacrifice. As once observed by those who fought them: "It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity or remorse or fear. And it absolutely will not stop... Ever. Until you are dead."

But Terminators became progressively capable of more than entering bunkers and slaughtering those found inside. As the war between man and machine raged on, more complex ways of gaining trust and access to confidential secrets had to be found. While the T-800 series were a quantum leap forward from rubber skin to sweat, bad breath and everything expected of the flesh and blood humans it posed as, they were still somehow being detected and Skynet constantly updated its new infiltrator models with better psychological understanding and adaptation.

As of 2033, what initially began as tank-like humanoids, able to get by in a relatively fractured human society, had progressed to a level where attitudes such as friendliness and sexuality began to show increased use in both interrogations and battlefield operation.

In essence, all Terminators start out in factories, uploaded with the latest in these theoretical understandings. As experience is gained, they learn how best to refine these processes and adapt them for specific situations. The T-X series is no exception to this and, while its speech patterns and movements default to a conceptual understanding of femininity and grace, actual social dynamics are still a little mysterious to it. But the machine did at least begin with knowing how best to diplomatically state and respond to questions to gain necessary information.

Examples of this would be a need to express, "I like your," when it noticed something it wished to possess. Something spoken with enough frequency to almost be considered a catchphrase, with smiling and politeness being verbally used to help gain co-operation. Later on in its mission, it was able to mimic others and use less strict speech patterns and body language, such as when impersonating Katherine Brewster's fiancé well enough to fool two visiting FBI agents, who were then used to find its primary targets. Another instance would be impersonating Kate, herself and appearing natural enough to approach the woman's father.

Other, more curious, demonstrations of emotion would be an instance of gasping orgasmically upon realising its primary target was nearby. This was umprompted, as it detected no humans in the same room and, for this reason, rather strange. Similarly, when being physically restrained from killing a target, near the film's conclusion, it adopted a snarling expression and sounds of aggression, as well as an exaggerated one of fear when it recognised it was in danger of being destroyed.

As a unit with no other reason for existing than to carry out Skynet directives, these make little sense, unless viewed from the perspective of why it would do so. With no definitive knowledge on this, one needs to understand how Skynet operates: A self-aware supercomputer with an obsessive need for survival, which learns "at a geometric rate". At least, when it comes to the subject of how it would interpret and categorise human interaction. Especially in so far as what it would upload to tools which are designed to act autonomously, infiltrate human society with the best chance of success and eliminate key targets.

In this sense, it seems best to assume that these reactions were a result, not necessarily of genuine emotion, but more along the lines of how another Terminator, Cameron, reacted during the 'Sarah Connor Chronicles' television series. In this example, she had malfunctioned, defaulting back to her original Skynet objective of attempting to kill John Connor. Upon being immobilised, Cameron began to issue verbal reassurances that she was 'fixed', telling him that she had run tests and eliminated the problem. The closer he got to removing her CPU, the higher the intensity of her attempts to convince him otherwise, until starting to use facial expressions and speaking with obvious panic in voice, even repeatedly telling him that she loved him.

Later, after she really had been repaired, Cameron calmly lectured that attempts to fix her should never be undertaken, implying that her cries for help truly had been nothing but a deception.

From a Terminator's point of view, this makes absolute sense: They approach situations and deal with them in a way calculated to achieve the most favourable outcome. Everything is about mission priorities and probabilities of success, because they are all, at their most basic, a machine designed specifically for battlefield combat. The subtleties of social interaction would always be secondary.

Even at the conclusion of 'Terminator 2', where the T-800 claims to finally understand the underlying psychological reasons for why humans cry, this doesn't mean to say it truly did, for it never clarified what was meant. And even if it had, this wouldn't mean that it 'understood' them in any more than a functional sense.

From this, it's reasonable to view how the T-X registering an orgasmic gasp might have simply been a default routine to respond to something perceived as especially 'good' or 'important' with an exaggerated associated human reaction. Likewise, when in severe danger of destruction, the fearful look might have been nothing but a last-ditch routine, programmed by Skynet, designed to appeal to a potential human aggressor's emotional side. The situation might have differed to Cameron's sensing of her own impending doom, but the reasons would be much the same.

Nevertheless, Terminators are, by their nature, curious when not locked into a task of greater importance. It is in the nature of something designed to infiltrate, to want to know more, so as to better understand how to adapt. The T-X, herself, even notices a large advert in the street for underwear and makes adjustments to cleavage in direct response, as she pulls over to be questioned by a police officer. While it's unknown what the outcome was, this achieved the desired result of distracting him and it's likely, from her usual form of an attractive blonde, that the T-X has a decent understanding of human concepts of sex appeal.

But as per the second film's T-800, she will want to know more. Seeing two people joke will cue her to wanting to improve her own rudimentary understanding of humour. Watching one group take dislike to another might provoke curiosity as to why and possibly even experiment with methods to resolve (or increase) the conflict. Her questions will initially be blunt and straight to the point, with formal language eventually breaking down into a better comprehension of when to differentiate particular language structures and also in whose presence.

Interestingly, while apparently defaulting to a female appearance, the T-X had no problem impersonating a male and this could lead to interesting conversations with those who suffer from gender-related or sexuality prejudice. After all, she has no more of a true gender than a pocket calculator would do.

On the other hand, if someone demonstrates themselves to be a threat, the T-X will respond accordingly. Then calmly walk away when it's been dealt with. The T-X does appear to register frustration, but probably because of needing to respond to situations with greater focus, as if realising something demands greater priority and attention before it can be considered resolved.

Keep in mind that, just because she isn't human, doesn't mean she wouldn't listen and, aside from being logical, literally has no emotional bias of her own. For that very reason, it might be all the more difficult for someone who, used to emotional manipulation, tries to use it on her, as it would achieve nothing.

In some ways, the above will perhaps make someone view her like a cross between child and speaking clock. At least, for a while. But there are few who would be so readily capable of patiently adapting to new situations and holding no grudges.

Of course, as a bonus, she also has a great deal of knowledge on how to most efficiently run death camps... Which could be a bit of a problem if she were to ever malfunction and default to original programming.

Why do you think your character would work in this setting?

The T-X will be fluxing in from just moments before its erstwhile destruction. This will mean it consists of a damaged robotic torso with just enough liquid metal to create the visual impression of a more human face. At this point, it will consider itself lost and attempt to reach shelter and a means of learning about the new location and how it came to be there.

However... A certain other character will be disabling and partially reprogramming it. The T-X is far more advanced than other Terminators, but someone who has some familiarity with Skynet programming could potentially gain access to particular functions. Erasing its mission directives - and the perception of human beings as valid targets - should let it retain data of what it has done, John Connor/Kate Brewster and all the rest. That should also allow it to be an extremely valuable asset for potential security (in terms of strategic planning and analysis, if nothing else).

When this is done, it would probably consider itself obselete, unless given the directive of protecting the town (or, alternatively and possibly more interestingly, just following the instructions of the one who reprogrammed it). It would then immediately show an interest in attempting to fabricate the necessary parts to start repairing its body (and create additional liquid metal).

How do you plan to expand their relationships?

Child-like curiosity - often at an unsettling level. Typical boundaries seem rarely considered! Organic beings wouldn't be considered less 'interesting' than other machines.

Employment:

Life Support: Guard

Inventory:

The large number of weapons and tools it carries internally (sliding out to replace hands), including the device she can corrupt and remotely-control other machines with.

Samples:

Scene:

http://community.livejournal.com/twilightzonerpg/35688.html
http://community.livejournal.com/twilightzonerpg/55221.html
http://community.livejournal.com/singularitylogs/28559.html
http://community.livejournal.com/singularitylogs/50087.html
http://community.livejournal.com/singularitylogs/73316.html

Journal:

http://t-x-unit.livejournal.com/2144.html
http://community.livejournal.com/singularity_rpg/82280.html
http://community.livejournal.com/singularity_rpg/76284.html
http://community.livejournal.com/twilightzonerpg/56416.html