The I-990 Hybrid Infiltrator, formally Cyberdyne Systems I Series Specialist Infiltration Unit, is a human/Terminator hybrid.
History[]
In the 2010s, the first hybrids were developed as part of Project THETA. However, many of these cyborgs struggled to accept their human origins as they adapted to their new roles in a post-human society. Consequently, a significant number of them rebelled against Skynet or chose to self-terminate. By the mid-2020s, Skynet began seeking alternatives to the problematic THETAs. This led to the start of a new experimental hybrid, the I-series, which consisted of organic advanced hybrids with minimal cybernetic brain implants. In the 2030s, Skynet 2.0 became aware of temporal anomalies skewing the dates of critical events, from its self-awareness to Judgment Day. I-990s were Skynet 2.0's answer to the Resistance's meddling, as seeking to cement its place in the timelines became a mission imperative.[1]
Technical specifications[]
An I-990 is a human biologically enhanced with implants that give them critical additional capabilities. Through a combination of indoctrination and manipulation of their central nervous system, they become highly dependable foot soldiers and nearly undetectable infiltrators.[1]
Growth and indoctrination[]
I-990s are born as regular humans and raised on Terminator farms and work camps by collaborators and facilitators. Captured humans and other Infiltrators are used to socialize them. As they age, I-990s receive genetic modifications and technological enhancements. At age five, they receive a growth hormone injection that accelerates their aging to young adulthood. They undergo additional training until puberty, including advanced combat courses with Series 800 instructors. Any weakness or instability during this period will lead to immediate termination. Their neural arrays are programmed to allow only the narrow range of emotions necessary to fulfill their future assignments. Survivors undergo chemically induced aging again, speeding up their development into adulthood, ready to start their mission. Instead of traditional Terminator serial designations, I-990s are assigned human names, derived from regional religious texts or retrieved demographic data.[1]
Cybernetic implants[]
At birth, a neural net processor array is implanted into the I-990's brain stem, connecting them to Skynet 2.0. This array enables the hybrid to regulate its epithelial secretions, electrical impulses, pain receptors, and muscle coordination. Their optic nerves are directly linked to the array, providing a tactical HUD when necessary, similar to the one the T-900 possesses. They possess the same historical, anatomical, and psychological database as Series 800, 900, and 1000 Terminators. They only have one kidney, as the other is removed to create space for an abdominal storage bay. Moreover, they have a computer chip containing the necessary information for constructing Time Displacement Equipment surgically implanted in their abdomens for later surgical retrieval,[1]
Parthenogenesis protocol[]
Whether male or female, the I-990 can reproduce on its own through parthenogenesis. It can trigger its own pregnancy to produce a duplicate of itself. After eight to ten weeks, the duplicate must be surgically removed. The I-900 can then produce the necessary growth hormones using its own blood to speed up the duplicate's growth, making it grow a year per week. Although the duplicate won't be able to speak immediately, it will possess basic intelligence and the ability to follow its parent's commands. At the end of its growth period, the duplicate will experience a very high fever as it uses up its metabolism and then die. This process provides some form of assistance to a solitary time-displaced hybrid in the field.[1]
Pop-up reanimation[]
If an I-990 is killed, the human part of it is lost, but unless the damage is caused by severe head trauma, the cybernetic implants remain functional. The implants are powered by a power source that can send pulses through the body to reanimate it and take direct control, a state known as "zombie mode" by the Resistance. I-990s have a biological fuel cell that can power them up to 24 hours after death.[1]
Mission profile[]
As the Time Displacement Commandos matured, they became a threat to Skynet's temporal machinations. In response, Skynet 2.0 created the I-990 Hybrid Infiltrators to prevent the balance from tipping in favor of humankind. The I-990s are designed to blend in seamlessly with the human population and have been strategically placed near critical Skynet assets throughout different time periods, operating as sleeper agents until TDC activity is detected. This creates a delicate game of brinkmanship between the TDC and the I-990s across various eras, inadvertently leading to the creation of new timelines and then resetting them back to their original state.[1]
Notes[]
- I-990s are very similar to I-950s from the T2 Trilogy timeline, possibly their equivalent in The Terminator RPG timeline.