Rise of the Machines timeline (novel) (2024)

The Rise of the Machines timeline, or "Kyla's World",^[1] follows Terminator 2: Judgment Day timeline and leads to the events in the novelization of Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, as well as two novels: Terminator Dreams and Terminator Hunt. It is created by the destruction of the Cyberdyne Building.

Avant notes[]

See also: Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (film)§Continuity notes

It should be noted that at least two or three continuity errors, which could be taken as retcons, appear in the novelization of Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, including:

• In the chapter 1, John Connor says that he was attacked by the T-1000 when he was 13 years old. This is an inconsistency. In Terminator 2: Judgment Day, John Connor was only 10 years old as shown on the police computer when the T-1000 accesses it.
• John Connor stated that the T-1000 tried to kill him 12 years ago. Additionally, John mentioned that 12 years ago, he and Kate had made out in Mike Kripke's basem*nt the day before he met the T-800. Since the T3 novel takes place in 2003, this would put the T2 event in 1991 and make John's date of birth in circa 1978.
• The novel states that it has been twenty-five years since a Terminator first tried to assassinate Sarah Connor, placing the events of The Terminator in 1978.
• In the novel the T-X explains that Cyberdyne Systems went bankrupt in 1993, which is when Cyber Research Systems acquired the off-site backups of the work of Miles Dyson.
• On page 15 of the novel Terminator Dreams it states John Connor is "50-Plus" as of August 2029, which means he was born no later than 1978.

Alternate Original timeline[]

Previous timeline: Terminator 2: Judgment Day timeline timeline

After the events in Terminator 2: Judgment Day, Skynet's creation and Judgment Day was postponed. Events in this timeline are featured in the novelization of Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Terminator Dreams and Terminator Hunt.

1993

• Cyberdyne Systems went bankrupt and its patents were acquired by Cyber Research Systems, a division of the U.S. Army under Robert Brewster. CRS goes on to develop Skynet.

1997

• Sarah Connor died. Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (novel)

2003

• John Connor ran into Kate Brewster.
• Skynet became self-aware and initiated Judgment Day. Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines (novel)^[2]

Unknown point

• Kyla Connor was born.

2029

• Kyle Reese and the T-800, reprogrammed by the Resistance chief programmer Daniel Avila, were sent back to 1984 and 1994 via Continuum Transporter to protect Sarah Connor and young John Connor respectively. Terminator Dreams
• T-1000 was discontinued.
• Skynet had developed T-X and sent a unit back to 2004.
• John Connor and Kate Brewster lead a team to Cyber Research Systems Main Facility to activate a T-850 and sent it to the year 2004.
• A mental time travel happened to Daniel Avila, making his mind connected with his younger self in 2004. Terminator Dreams ^[2]
• Paul Keeley was captured by Skynet force in order to have him train Eliza, a T-X Terminatrix, to perform a more efficient infiltration in pre-Judgment Day mission. Terminator Hunt

Rise of the Machines timeline[]

Previous timeline: Terminator 2: Judgment Day timeline timeline

2003

• T-X arrived in 2003 and began its mission.
• T-850 arrived in 2003 and began its mission.
• T-X acquired John Connor and Kate Brewster, but they were rescued by the T-850.
• Skynet became self-aware.
• Robert Brewster was killed during the Uprising in Edwards.
• John and Kate were evacuated to Crystal Peak where they thought the Skynet's core was located.
• T-850 sacrificed itself to terminate the T-X.
• Skynet became self-aware and initiated Judgment Day.

References[]