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Series 888

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Series 888

The Series 888 is a type of Terminator mass produced by Skynet, and the successor Terminator to the Series 800. Individual Terminators within the series are often referred to as T-888s, and have been nicknamed as "Triple-Eights" or "T-Triple-Eights".

Contents

Capabilities & Specifications

T-888 endoskeleton (close up)
T-888 endoskeleton (mid shot)

Besides the standard abilities of its predecessor, the T-888 is stronger, faster, and more resilient to damage (an overall increase to all of these attributes). The most impressive onscreen physical display of any T-888 to date was that of Cromartie when he tore down a secure door to a bank vault. The T-888 was able to strategically tear pieces from the locking mechanism before proceeding to beat it repeatedly until being able to grab an edge and twist the metal down, allowing Cromartie to tear the door from its frame.

Other T-888s have been shown to run at incredible speeds, capable of catching most fleeing vehicles with relative ease. Vick Chamberlain was able to chase down and board a secure van, despite taking fire from the cyborg Cameron. The Bedell Terminator was likewise successful when it leapt up onto Sarah Connor's Jeep, and later chased Derek Reese through the woods.

The Series 888's endoskeleton is practically identical to the Series 800 standard, barring a few modifications and improvements over the original. The most notable difference between the two is the addition of armor plating on its back, which provides effective cover from most forms of damage whereas the T-800s were vulnerable to precise attacks from behind. The T-888 also possesses thigh blades, which are presumably meant to decapitate any human it can get into a headlock between its legs. Other differences are mostly cosmetic, including the design of the head and lower jaw.

Like its predecessor, the T-888's endoskeleton is forged from a hyperalloy with the key ingredient Coltan, granting the machine superior resistance to heat. The alloy is shown to be capable of withstanding most small arms fire, with the exception of depleted uranium shells (as used by Cameron to disable Cromartie), and high-explosive incendiary Raufhoss rounds found in Derek's sniper rifle. Ammunition of this type is capable of penetrating the alloy and causing significant damage to the unit. The endoskeleton can also be melted into vapor by Thermite, either by itself or in combination with burning tar.

Exotic munitions aside, the T-888 is shown to be remarkably resistant to all forms of damage. Cromartie endured having his head blown off by a primitive plasma weapon with little effect, and was later able to guide his body to his head and reattach it. Greenway could only be destroyed by being thrown into two transformers, suffering severe electrical damage that burned out his circuitry; however, his endoskeleton was still more-or-less intact.

CPU & Software

Series 888 Neural Net Processor
Nuclear Energy power cell
Series 888 advanced HUD

Series 888 processors appear to be set with read/write functions when sent on infiltration missions, granting the units the ability to learn from their experiences. Aesthetically, the T-888 CPU is similar in shape and design to the T-800 version, though it is completely black with red stripes and is fixed to the shock dampener. Later models were upgraded with slimmer chips that were treated with a phosphorous compound that ignites once exposed to oxygen, effectively preventing them from being reprogrammed by the human Resistance.

Amongst its standard combat files, the T-888 possesses detailed files on human behavior and psychology, granting them advanced interpersonal relations programming. One such T-888 was capable of maintaining a marriage for a time, fooling his "wife" into believing he was her real husband, and used the pretense of a car accident as an excuse for discrepancies in his behavior. T-888s expanded their database of human understanding by observing Grays; human collaborators working with Skynet against humanity. Charles Fischer led one such training group, teaching them how humans "tick".

So far, T-888s have shown little to no emotional potential besides that which they fabricate for infiltration purposes. Cromartie was the only unit seen to possess a genuine, albeit limited, range of emotions (including frustration, annoyance, fear, and sardonic humor). In addition to various other software upgrades, including an upgraded heads-up display, the T-888 is capable of powering down to standby mode, either to conserve power or upon successful completion of a mission. Sufficient disruption, such as a powerful mechanical or electrical shock, can render a unit offline, though it could reboot in approximately two minutes.

It also possesses wireless control over its body, should the CPU and skull be separated from the main endoskeleton. The head could effectively guide the body to its location, though how it does this is unexplained. It is feasible that the endoskeleton possesses an array of sensor equipment allowing it to navigate through its environment. The endoskeleton's functions, including its CPU, are powered by a "shielded nuclear power cell" that is located within the "heart" of the chest cavity, behind the frontal armor plating.

Infiltration

Skynet production line of "Vick" Models

The T-888 is an infiltration model and comes equipped with a sheath of living flesh to blend in with other humans. The flesh is capable of remarkable regeneration and can last for decades without any sign of decay, whereas the T-800 skin was prone to dying after extended periods of time or sufficient damage. It is unknown whether Series 888 sustains its organic components through the same means as Cameron (consuming food), though this would be likely given that Vick was able to maintain his marriage for so long (which would've required him to eat and drink on a regular basis).

T-888s are also apparently anatomically correct and capable of sexual activity, again as suggested by Vick's prolonged farse as Barbara Chamberlain's husband. It is unknown whether T-888s possess the same range of physical sensation as Cameron, who claims to enjoy the feel of wind through her toes and fingers. Cromartie did appear to be jarred by the devastating ballistic attacks to the side of his face, however.

T-888s are heavier than humans, though not so much as the T-800 or the T-850, which in an alternate universe was described as weighing a ton. They appear to be notably light compared to previous models, though their endoskeletons are still dense enough to prevent them from remaining afloat in water, as seen when Cromartie sank to the bottom of the ocean while trying to drown John Connor.

Known Terminators

While the original Series 800 came with a variety of infiltrator models, most if not all were of a similar stock and size (muscular, large bodied, tall etc). Series 888 however, marks a breakthrough in model flexibility. The T-888 endoskeleton can be built to accomodate many sizes, from the stocky body builder to the petite schoolgirl. This range of endoskeletal dimensions allows for a far more effective infiltration tool, as humans wouldn't suspect a small 16 year old girl of being a machine.

To date, the smallest T-888 model is the unconfirmed machine called Rosie, who was smaller than the cyborg Cameron.

Confirmed Models

  • Cromartie - Assigned to terminate John Connor. Limited "human mannerism" abilities. This unit is the most recurring T-888 on the show. Cromartie is seemingly destroyed in Mexico by the combined efforts of Sarah Connor, John Connor, Derek Reese, Cameron, and James Ellison. Sarah personally destroyed Cromartie's chip. However, Cromartie's body was secretly exhumed by Ellison and delivered to Catherine Weaver (really a T-1001). Cromartie was plugged into Andy Goode's Turk and renamed "John Henry". In the Season 2 finale, John Henry uses Cromartie's body to escape to the future with Cameron's chip.
  • Vick Chamberlain - Impersonated 'fake' freedom fighter, maintained a marriage with Barbara Chamberlain as part of infiltration assignment. An extremely effective and convincing infiltrator. It's chip was removed by Cameron. The endoskeleton was burned but the chip was (at least temporarily) kept to extract information from.
  • The Greenway Terminator - Impersonated the real Carl Greenway in order to bring about a meltdown at the Seranno Point nuclear power plant. No apparent "human mannerism" abilities whatsoever. Was destroyed by Sarah Connor and Cameron. Its remains were sealed in a nuclear waste barrel.
  • The Bedell Terminator - Cadet Captain Martin Bedell was targeted by an unnamed Series 888 sent to eliminate a key resistance fighter responsible for the escape of John Connor from a prisoner transport convoy en route to the Century Work Camp. This unit executed its mission as systematically and directly as the original T-800 (The Terminator). John Connor and Derek Reese trapped and destroyed this unit in a tar pit.
  • The Ellison Terminator - Agent James Ellison was targeted for termination and replacement by Skynet with yet another individual replica model terminator. This unit was unexpectedly destroyed by fellow terminator Cromartie for unknown reasons (most likely to meet Cromartie's own objectives).
  • John Henry - An advanced sentient A.I. created and nurtured to combat Skynet. Though technically not a T-888 in terms of software and programming, John Henry uses a T-888 body as his vessel and possesses all of its capabilities.
  • Myron Stark - Sent from the future to terminate Governor Mark Wyman during a New Years Eve Keynote Speech in 2010, however ended up in a 1920's speakeasy instead. Though known to terminate a few men who stood in the way of his success, displayed absolute discretion by putting his main rival out of business, as opposed to killing him. Adaptive and resourceful, Stark was an effective infiltrator who actually contributed to the expansion of the city of Los Angeles. Cameron hunted down and destroyed this unit in an elevator shaft.
  • The Fields Terminator - Assigned to terminate Sydney Fields by killing her mother, Anne, before she could be give birth to the girl. Sarah Connor destroyed this unit off screen.
  • Queeg - was a T-888 reprogrammed by the Resistance. In 2027, he was the captain of the USS Jimmy Carter, a submarine operated by the Resistance. Queeg was destroyed when Commander Jesse Flores led a mutiny against him.
  • Water Delivery Guy - was a terminator infiltrator sent back in time. It infiltrated the home of Catherine Weaver in an effort to find Savannah Weaver. During the confrontation Derek Reese was shot in the head and killed. It failed to capture or kill Savannah Weaver, however. It was later destroyed by the T-1001 posing as Catherine Weaver.

Unconfirmed Models

  • Carter - Assigned to stockpile mass amounts of coltan. Probably a T-888, seems to be more indiscriminate in his termination habits than others.
  • The Rogue - Presumably a T-888 captured and reprogrammed by the resistance.
  • Rosie - Assigned to either terminate or protect Dr. Boyd Sherman, the latter appearing more likely. She is never identified as a T-888, but neither does she exhibit any traits (other than flexibility) that mark her as any different. Her mannerisms and subtlety suggests that she belongs to this Series. If so, then she would be the smallest Model of any machine seen so far.

Notes

  • In the alternate future of Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, the T-800 was succeeded by the T-850. T-888's appear only on Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles. The T-850 and T-888 have not been mentioned as coexisting in either future so far.
  • The Terminator in Sarah Connor's dream in the pilot episode of the SCC was probably a Series 800, since she only found out the Series 888 existed later on.
  • T-888's appear to use a different power source than the potentially explosive hydrogen fuel cells used by the T-850 in Terminator 3. There is no reference to the danger of explosion even when Cameron dismantles Vick.
  • According to the TSCC: Behind the Scenes featurette the T-888 possesses two more additional backup CPUs with the same neural net architecture (although this seems unlikely as Cameron Phillips was able to disable Vick by removing only one CPU about 34 minutes into Episode 105: Queen's Gambit). This idea was most likely dropped prior to filming.
    T-888 CPU Locations
    • Note that it is entirely possible to still have this kind of CPU setup, when arranged in a strict hierarchical organization. Cromartie's "body-bound" CPUs didn't activate till the "Primary" CPU in the head activated and summoned it. Therefore it is reasonable to assume that removal of the Primary "Cranial" CPU would preempt the ability of the secondary CPUs from posing a threat and sustaining function.
      • If the CPUs were hooked up in series (like a string of cheap Christmas lights), then removing one would also disable the others. This could be avoided by hooking them up in parallel, which is the way most multi-CPU computer systems are arranged nowadays.
        • The most recent releases from the producers and effects supervisors in a YouTube video highlighting the T-888, explicitly states and indicates that there are three separate CPUs located in the head under the round ports. 2 are in line high over the right temple area and the third is to the left of the crown of the head. The arrangement is again described as a means to provide military level redundancy in the event of damage or compromise, however as a practical matter we have yet to see this actively applied in any way shape or form. The means and methodology of the remote control of a torso from a decapitated head is also something yet to be commented on or detailed.
    • The T-888 is more-or-less the default machine of TSCC, as most, if not all, Terminators seen onscreen are identified as T-888s. The exceptions to this are Cameron Phillips and Catherine Weaver. Two machines, Carter and Rosie, were never identified as such, but given the generic nature of this Series it is entirely possible that they are themselves Triple-8s.
    • In the bonus features for season one of TSCC (Creating the Chronicles), one of the designers mentions that they designed the T-888 model with specific "upgrades" from the 800s series models. These upgrades include blades located on the inside of the model's thighs to decapitate a human (aka "Thigh Blades"), upgraded chest and back plates for more protection, new arm and leg plate design, and new pistons.
  • In interviews, the creators of TSCC have indicated that there were legal reasons for the creation of the T-888. They don't go into details, but it seems likely that they wanted to avoid paying the designer of the original endoskeleton design (or maybe the original design is contested). This would also explain why the designer of the T-888 talked about three CPU ports for redundancy, yet the show never reflects it. Removing 'the chip' will always seem to completely shut down a T-888. It is hence fairly reasonable to assume that any Terminator seen on TSCC is a T-888, unless proven otherwise (e.g. in the case of the T-1001).

Appearances

Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles

Series 888 Endoskeleton Visual Reference

Endoskeleton 360

Head 360

Front closeup

Back closeup

Elbow-Back Detail

Thighblade Detail

Vick Chamberlain's Thighblades, Series validated

Chest Detail

Power Core Detail

Wireframe model

See also

Retrieved from "http://terminator.wikia.com/wiki/Series_888"
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