Cyber-conversion: Difference between revisions

'''Cyber-conversion''', also known as '''Cybernisation '''([[PROSE]]: ''[[Attack of the Cybermen (novelisation)|Attack of the Cybermen]]'') and, prior to Mondas’ full conversion, '''processing '''([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Spare Parts (audio story)|Spare Parts]]''), was the physical and mental re-engineering of victims, often [[humanoid]], into [[Cyberman|Cybermen]]. The Cybermen of [[Pete's World|Pete’s World]] and the [[Cyber-Mainframe]] also referred to this as '''upgrading'''. A similar process used by [[Borg (species)|the Borg]] from a [[Federation universe|parallel universe]] was called [[assimilation]].

== Cybermen of N-space ==

[[Cyberman (Mondas)|Mondasian]] cyber-conversion involved the replacement of body parts (including limbs, organs, and vital systems) with artificial components. ([[TV]]: ''[[Attack of the Cybermen (TV story)|Attack of the Cybermen]]'') Partial conversion, with the victim retaining autonomy and a human identity and body parts, was possible. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Invasion (TV story)|The Invasion]]'')

The Cybermen would traverse the universe to find beings to convert, adding to their forces. ([[TV]]: ''[[Attack of the Cybermen (TV story)|Attack of the Cybermen]]'') The Cybermen relied on tubing and external systems to keep the body operating, but over time the amount needed decreased. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Tenth Planet (TV story)|The Tenth Planet]]'' onwards)

The main method of cyber-conversion used appeared to be through the use of [[Cyberfication machine|cyberfication machines]] (also known as cyber-conversion units), which were machines that would replace the majority of a victim’s body parts with artificial components. These were used by almost all Cybermen, and were featured in almost all locations under cyber-control. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Tenth Planet (TV story)|The Tenth Planet]] ''et al) Some Cybermen created [[Cyber-Factories]], buildings filled with cyberfication machines that were expressely used for mass conversions. On [[Mondas]], these were also known as processing lines ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Spare Parts (audio story)|Spare Parts]]''). The [[Patient (World Enough and Time)|prototype Cybermen]] of the [[Mondasian]] [[Colony ship (World Enough and Time)|colony ship]] were converted through [[surgery]] performed by the [[Surgeon (World Enough and Time)|surgeon]] of the [[Hospital (World Enough and Time)|hospital]] on [[Floor 1056]], within the [[Conversion Theatre]]. The same process was used to convert [[Bill Potts]] into the first [[CyberMondan|Mondasian Cyberman]] on the ship. ([[TV]]: ''[[World Enough and Time (TV story)|World Enough and Time]]'') The later Cybermen transformed entire [[Apartment|apartment blocks]] into Cyber-Factories before rounding up the [[Human|humans]] of the city for mass conversion, with {{Simm}} referring to these particular factories as the [[Cyber Foundry|Cyber Foundries]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Doctor Falls (TV story)|The Doctor Falls]]'') Other Cybermen contained cyberfication machines within [[Cyber-ship|cyber-ships]], and would use them to travel the [[N-Space|universe]] to convert compatible beings. Some of these ships were known as factory ships. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Sword of Orion (audio story)|Sword of Orion]], [[Hour of the Cybermen (audio story)|Hour of the Cybermen]]'') One group of Cybermen modified their ship’s cyberfication machines to convert [[Fiction|fictional creatures]]. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Legend of the Cybermen (audio story)|Legend of the Cybermen]]'') Cyberfication machines were often also contained within Cyberman bases, such as the [[Cyber-Control (Telos)|Cyber-Control]] on [[Telos]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Attack of the Cybermen (TV story)|Attack of the Cybermen]]'')

The Cybermen who recovered from the [[Cyber-Wars]] and formed the [[Cyberiad]] possessed some of the most advanced technology used by Cybermen, and this extended to their conversion technology. Cyber-conversions could be carried out at almost any time, even in the midst of battle. [[Cybermite]]s, an advanced form of Cybermat, could attack organic beings and graft technology that converted the being's mind to that of a Cyberman, with full conversion of the body presumably being carried out later. Cyberiad technology had also overcome a major flaw of previous Cyber-conversion techniques; the reliance on exclusively Human or Mondasian stock. The Cyberiad were able to convert almost all organic life forms, even [[Time Lord]]s, into Cybermen, meaning that the Cyberiad could create more Cybermen than had been possible for the other groups of Cybermen.

The method used for the full conversion of a victim's body is unclear, and may have been different depending on which species was being converted. The partially-converted body of [[Webley]] seems to show that humans were converted by encasing the body within a cyber-suit. However, a fully-converted Cyberman was able to remove it's head entirely to trick a human soldier. This Cyberman may have originally been a non-humanoid, however. ([[TV]]: ''[[Nightmare in Silver (TV story)|Nightmare in Silver]]'')

The [[Cyberman (Pete's World)|Cybermen of Pete's World]], instead of replacing body parts, transplanted living [[brain]]s into metal exoskeletons sustained in a cradle of chemicals and threaded together by an artificial nervous system. The process was extremely painful and took place in a booth where the subject's skull was sliced open by a robotic machine that used knives, lasers and syringes to remove the brain before encasing it in an empty cybernetic helmet. Later, the Ear Pods created a trance state for the victim, so they were, in a sense, unconscious during the process and unable to feel the [[pain]] of being converted due to the EarPods having control over the brain's pain receptors. This was the most efficient form of conversion as it took under 60 seconds. They also had an [[emotional inhibitor]] placed within them to suppress their humanity because, as the [[Tenth Doctor]] put it:

[[Webley]] was partially converted by cyber mites. He retained most of his body and, based on speech, some emotions as well. [[Artie Maitland]] and [[Angie Maitland]] suffered partial conversion by Cybermites, who intended to take advantage of their imagination. The conversion was later reversed. A pair of soldiers were partially converted while in combat with a Cyberman. The [[Eleventh Doctor]] was Partially converted into a [[Cyber-Planner]], splitting his mind into two halves; one was normal, the other converted. The Cyber-planner half showed emotion. The Doctor suggested that to decide who controlled the brain, they play chess, to which the Cyber-planner agreed. After distracting the Cyber-planner by lying about being able to win the game with only three moves, the Doctor used [[The Doctor's sonic screwdriver|his sonic screwdriver]] to remove the cybernetic implants, freeing his mind. ([[TV]]: ''[[Nightmare in Silver (TV story)|Nightmare in Silver]]'')

[[Bill Potts]], after being mortally wounded, was taken to a hospital on a Mondasian colony ship and was granted a cybernetic heart then fully converted into a [[Cyberman (Mondas)|Mondasian Cyberman]] some years later. Prior to her full conversion, she was unable to survive if she did not remain in the hospital. ([[TV]]: ''[[World Enough and Time (TV story)|World Enough and Time]]'')

[[Mercy Hartigan]] was the [[CyberKing]] command unit. Miss Hartigan refused to be converted to a standard Cyberman and took control of the Cybermen which landed in 1851. The Cybermen, however, had slowly set a plan in motion that would eventually make Miss Hartigan both a convert and a leader. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Next Doctor (TV story)|The Next Doctor]]'') There was also [[Valerie Brannigan]]. ([[COMIC]]: ''[[In-Flight Entertainment (comic story)|In-Flight Entertainment]]'')

Missy transformed the dead corpses of millions of humans into Cybermen, such as [[Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart]], [[Danny Pink]] and [[Skarosa]]. They were eventually destroyed when Danny detonated all of them to stop Missy's plans, save for Stewart, who shot Missy personally before being saluted by the [[Twelfth Doctor]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Death in Heaven (TV story)|Death in Heaven]]'')