T-X

The Cyber Research Systems Model T-X, also known as the T-X Terminatrix, is an advanced Terminator unit developed by Skynet in an alternate timeline branching from its first attempt to assassinate John Connor. Designed as the successor to the T-950, the T-X was sent into the past with a dual mission: to eliminate John Connor and his future Resistance officers while preventing anyone at Cyber Research Systems (CRS) from shutting down Skynet during its activation.

Building on the success of the T-1000’s mimetic polyalloy design, Skynet advanced its liquid metal technology by integrating it with an enhanced endoskeleton derived from the T-900. This fusion resulted in the T-X—a combat unit that is stronger, faster, more intelligent, and deadlier than any of its predecessors, rendering previous Terminator models obsolete.

Names	The Cyber Research Systems Model T-X, T-X , Terminatrix, Hastings
Gender	Genderless
Race	Terminator
Occupation	Assassin, Infiltratior, Anti-Terminator
Origin	Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (July 3, 1991)
Alignment	Neutral (Is a Programmed Machine) Evil
Age	Varies
Created By	John Brancato, Michael Ferris, Tedi Sarafian
Height	180 cm (5ft 11in)
Weight	150 kg (330.6 lbs) (23.62 st)
Personality Type	ISTP, 8w9 (Enneagram)
Portrayed By	Kristanna Loken

Appearance

The T-X appears as a strikingly beautiful young woman of Scandinavian descent, with blonde hair styled in a tight bun. She wears a rust-colored jacket, form-fitting pants, and high-heeled boots, giving her an elegant, model-like appearance. She is the only female Terminator to appear in the films, and Skynet considered her beauty advantageous for her mission.

The T-X has an advanced utilitarian battle chassis, weighing in excess of 150 kilos (approximately 330.6 lbs). Protected by malleable, crystalline, ceramic-titanium armor interlaced with nano-fibers of carbon and titanium, the T-X is practically unstoppable on the battlefield, capable of sustaining extreme amounts of damage with seemingly little to no effect.

Infiltrator Appearance

Personality

The T-X exhibits a limited but noticeable emotional range, unlike earlier Terminator models that displayed emotions only for deception. She expresses frustration during the crane chase, surprise when the T-850 continues to pursue her, and fear just before her destruction. She also appears excited upon identifying John Connor’s blood and shows satisfaction after defeating the T-850 in battle.

Her feminine mannerisms distinguish her from previous Terminators. She walks with model-like poise, reprograms the T-850 with an arrogant gesture, and reacts with disgust when a male soldier peeks at her. Unlike other models, she also emits feral growls when angered or frustrated, further emphasizing her unique behavioral traits.

Biography

In 2031, Skynet tested the T-X in combat against various Terminators, including the T-1002. This liquid-metal model engaged her in hand-to-hand combat, forming numerous bladed weapons from its mimetic polyalloy. The T-X countered with her internal buzz saw, neutralizing the T-1002’s attacks before ultimately destroying it with a direct hit from her plasma cannon. After proving her capabilities, she entered the Continuum Transporter to begin her mission in 2004.

Upon arriving in a time bubble at a high-end clothing store named I Like This Look!, the T-X’s energy discharge melted mannequins and shattered glass. She then approached a woman outside, admired her car, and promptly killed her to steal both her vehicle and clothing. After adjusting her appearance to be more buxom upon noticing a Victoria’s Secret billboard, the T-X systematically began eliminating John Connor’s future lieutenants across Los Angeles. Her target list also included Kate Brewster and her father, Robert Brewster. However, when she unexpectedly located John Connor, she reprioritized him as her primary target.

The T-X’s pursuit was interrupted by a T-850 model sent to protect Connor and Brewster. Changing tactics, she killed and impersonated Kate’s fiancé, Scott Mason, to gain access to her. She later confronted John, Kate, and the T-850 at a graveyard, but the trio had already retrieved a hidden weapons cache left by Sarah Connor’s allies. The T-850 struck her with an RPG, damaging her right arm, which housed many of her deadliest weapons. However, the T-X quickly recovered and continued the chase. When the T-850 eventually smashed her into a semi-truck trailer, she was finally forced off their vehicle. Searching for functional weapons, she selected an IAD-ChemTech flamethrower, her only remaining option. With John Connor once again untraceable, she shifted her focus to ensuring Skynet’s rise by eliminating Robert Brewster.

At the Cyber Research Systems facility, the T-X infiltrated the base in an Air Force uniform and used nanobot injections to reprogram T-1 units, ensuring they would protect Skynet upon its activation. After assassinating Robert Brewster, she turned her attention back to John and Kate. Engaging the T-850 in a brutal hand-to-hand battle, she temporarily immobilized him and infected him with nanobots, forcing him to turn against John and Kate. However, they managed to trap her inside a particle accelerator before escaping to Crystal Peak, where they believed Skynet’s central core was located. Despite being heavily damaged, the T-X escaped using a diamond-tipped circular saw and followed them in a helicopter, crashing through the facility’s gate.

As she advanced toward John and Kate, the T-850—now freed from the nanobot control—arrived in a military helicopter and rammed her, pinning her lower half to the ground. Tearing herself free, she crawled toward John, determined to complete her mission. However, the T-850 intervened, shoving a hydrogen fuel cell into her mouth. With a final "You are terminated," he detonated the cell, destroying them both.

Powers and Statistics

Tier: At least 9-B, 9-A with her plasma cannon

Powers and Abilities: Superhuman Physical Characteristics, Shapeshifting, Self-Sustenance (Type 3), Inorganic Physiology (Type 2), Regeneration (Low-Mid), Technology Manipulation (By injecting nanites.), Energy Projection with plasma weapon, Fire Manipulation with flamethrower, Can use any kind of firearm, Thermal visor, DNA Analysis (Capable of analyzing DNA by sampling a small quantity of its targets blood using sensors housed within its mouth) | Can use nanites to see through people's eyes Can also use them for telepathy

Attack Potency: At least Wall level (Superior to T-800 and T-850), Small Building level with its plasma cannon (Its arm cannon can destroy a small building in a single shot, disintegrated a T-1000)

Speed: Superhuman (Over 80 kph for a short period of time) with possibly Supersonic reactions (Faster than the T-850)

Lifting Strength: At least Class K (Wrestled with the T-850)

Striking Strength: At least Wall level

Durability: Small Building level (Withstood her arm cannon and a RPG exploding at the same time. None of the T-850s attacks notably damaged the T-X)

Stamina: Superhuman. Pursues John Connor relentlessly

Range: Standard Melee Range: Tens of Meters with plasma weapon

Standard Equipment: Plasma Cannon, ChemTech Flamethrower, Spinning Saw Blade, .223 Automatic stopper, .45 cascader, M41 pulse rifle, 783 chain repeater, ADMOR BioBlaster, BioRail 32SR-9, CG45 Needler, CONSIGLIO EBlaster, Crescent Corridor Blaster, EMP Generator, Rapid Finite cluster gun, HDE predator, HK-54334, KLD-Magnum repeater, Laser X ray Burst Gun, Rumsfeld P31 caustic, Subauro Neutralizer, Tracking EBlaster, Twin barrier gun, XFLRG 44mm, Nano Disruptor, P31 Caustic shells and Nanotechnological transjectors (Can control other machines by transferring a stream of nanobots), advanced sensor packages.

Intelligence: Genius (It is programmed with various techniques and training in driving, fighting, firearms, and tracking. Tricked Kate's father. Controlled her regeneration to make it look like it was injured. More intelligent than the T-850)

Weaknesses: Can temporarily be incapacitated with an extremely intense magnetic field, due to its Mimetic polyalloy structure, intense heat could cause it to suffer from "glitches", a vehicle crashing into it at extreme velocities can cause its body to separate.

Trivia

• The T-X's mission to ensure Skynet’s creation parallels Eve’s role in The New John Connor Chronicles. She is also the first Terminator introduced onscreen with a default female appearance.
• A controversial theory suggests that the T-X may have played a direct role in granting Skynet sentience through her nanomachines. Given her extensive connection to computer networks, it is possible that her reprogramming abilities extended beyond vehicles to global systems, potentially triggering the worldwide blackout that led to Skynet’s self-awareness and dominance. If true, this would mean the franchise relies on two predestination paradoxes: the first being the inevitability of Judgment Day, without which Kyle Reese would never have traveled back in time to father John Connor. In essence, John’s very existence depends on Judgment Day occurring.
• The T-X’s overt fanservice has been widely criticized, particularly her nude arrival scene and various sexualized behaviors. Moments such as her unnecessary breast expansion while dealing with the police officer, the suggestive DNA analysis through finger-licking, and her gasp of excitement upon identifying John Connor’s blood have been pointed out as excessive. These elements go beyond simply portraying femininity, making her feel less like a relentless killing machine.
• However, some argue that these mannerisms reflect her advanced design. Skynet’s understanding of human behavior may have been comprehensive enough to program the T-X with seductive traits, increasing her effectiveness in infiltration and deception.
• To prepare for her role, Kristanna Loken gained 15 pounds of muscle and took a mime class to refine her ability to communicate through facial expressions and body language, given the character’s limited dialogue. She also enjoyed wearing the T-X’s leather outfit, consisting of a jacket, pants, and boots.
• Regarding her nude arrival scene on Beverly Hills' Rodeo Drive, Loken remarked, "There was no way out of that scene. Everyone knows Terminators arrive naked, so it was justified. The only challenge was shooting it without turning it into a peep show, since there were so many tourists. But I didn’t mind. As an actor, you try to be as daring as possible."