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Mission

From Terminator Wiki

Terminators are assigned missions that guide their priorities.

These missions can range from terminating certain subjects, to protecting others. Some advanced model terminators have been assigned more nebulous missions, such as ensuring the creation of Skynet.

Terminators will often narrowly restrict their actions to the parameters of a mission. They can, however, use discretion in determining whether or not to terminate witnesses or immediate obstacles, for example, Cromartie did not kill FBI agent James Ellison in "What He Beheld" because it intends to follow him to John Connor).[1]

Secondary missions can be assigned to terminators by authority figures. Sarah Connor has given Cameron several missions, even though Cameron's original mission was to protect John Connor.

Terminators can not self-terminate as an act in and of itself. [2] However, they can engage in any degree of self-destructive acts if they have calculated that doing so will achieve their primary mission. [3]

Known Missions

Quotes

John: You're not here to kill me - I figured out that for myself. So what's the deal?
Terminator: My mission is to protect you.
John: Yeah? Who sent you?
Terminator: You did. 35 years from now you reprogrammed me to be your protector here - in this time.
John: This is deep...
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Terminator: I have to stay functional until my mission is complete. Then it doesn't matter.
John: Yeah. I have to stay functional too. I'm "too important".
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Terminator: The T-1000's highest probability for success now will be to copy Sarah Connor and to wait for you to make contact with her.
John: Great, but what happens to her?
Terminator: Typically, the subject being copied is terminated.
John: Shit! Why didn't you tell me? We gotta go right now!
Terminator: Negative. She's not a mission priority
John: Fuck you, she's a priority to me!
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
John: What is your mission?
Terminator: To... ensure the survival... of John Connor... and Katherine Brewster.
John: You are about to fail that mission.
Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
Cameron: I was sent here to protect John.
"Pilot"

Cameron: (steps toward Sarah) I can play hooky.
Sarah: Find Dmitri. Derek says he has a sister, teaches ballet. Start with her. Low profile, no guns.
"The Demon Hand"

John: So how often do you lie?
Cameron: When the mission requires it.
John: Do you lie to me?
Cameron: Sometimes.
John: About important things?
Cameron: Yes. Important things.
"Vick's Chip"

Agent Ellison: I'll never lead you to her. (Cromartie turns from the safehouse and walks up to Ellison) If that's why you left me alive you'd better just kill me now. I'll never do the Devil's work.
Cromartie: We'll see.

References

  1. "Samson & Delilah"
  2. The T-800 in Terminator 2 was unable to self-terminate, and asked for help to be lowered into a pit of molten steel.
  3. The I-950 Serena Burns in T2: Infiltrator was initially deployed during the Future War with a self contained high explosive device. Her first mission was to infiltrate the Resistance, attain close proximity to John Connor, and detonate.
  4. Inferred by actions
  5. The Terminator said to John Connor, "My mission is to protect you."
  6. Inferred by actions
  7. Direct quote from Terminator 3
  8. HUD display and T3 novelization
  9. Inferred by actions
  10. Direct quote from "Pilot"
  11. Inferred from actions
  12. Inferred from actions