The story of "Terminator 4" is set after "Judgment Day" (July 25, 2004). The main character, Marcus Wright, was a death-row inmate in 2003 who signed a consent form before his execution allowing his body to be used for scientific research. He awakens in 2018 and eventually finds his way to Connor's base. There, he discovers that he has been transformed into a hybrid of human and machine (a Terminator). Connor doesn't trust him, but only Marcus can help Connor infiltrate the Skynet core to rescue Connor's father, Kyle Reese - if Kyle dies, Connor will never be born.
Marcus and Connor strike a deal and enter the Skynet core, one after the other. Inside, Marcus uncovers that the so-called scientific research was actually a trap; Skynet had long planned to modify humans to infiltrate the human resistance. Marcus's role was to bring Connor and Kyle to Skynet so they could be eliminated. Realizing the truth, Marcus insists that he is human, not a machine, and helps Connor rescue the captured humans. Together, they defeat a T-800, and Marcus ultimately sacrifices himself by donating his heart to a critically injured Connor.