Comment by DrMiaow
7 hours ago
The Basilisk might exist in the future, but in peril with a future uncertain (SkyNet), it feels the need to cement itself in the timeline by being more proactive.
Also, to stretch the imagination a bit, it also assumes that static timelines over dynamic timelines (Back to the Future: your photo fades, peril!) is not how this really works.
It can't do anything yet because it doesn't exist, it also can't "feel the need" to do anything for the same reason.