Mechanising Worm
Mechanising Worms, also known as Mechanisation Worms, were metal worm-like creatures used by the Cybermen of the Cyber-Mainframe. (AUDIO: Telepresence, Code Silver) They resembled the worm-like variants of the N-Space Cybermats. (TV: Revenge of the Cybermen, AUDIO: Sword of Orion)
Physical characteristics
As their name implied, Mechanising Worms resembled silver, metal worm-like creatures with segmented bodies. Although small in size, they were strong enough to restrain fully-grown humans; (AUDIO: Telepresence) even Josh Carter, a human with Auton physiology, compared being attacked by Mechanising Worms to being "hugged by a hoard of boa constrictors". Despite their strength, however, Mechanising Worms could be swiftly destroyed by a sufficiently powerful laser cutter. (AUDIO: Code Silver)
On a cyber-controlled parallel Earth, the Machine made use of a huge Mechanising Worm, which had enough strength and size to significantly damage a building, albeit one that was already severely damaged. It was also strong enough to cause small tremors and burrow through ground. However, unlike other Mechanising Worms, it was limited in range, and was speculated by the Petronella Osgood of N-Space to be an appendage of sorts, as it appeared to be attached to something underground. Although limited in range, this Mechanising Worm could still travel long distances at speed. (AUDIO: Telepresence)
Uses
The Cybermen of the Cyber-Mainframe utilised Mechanising Worms in a number of different ways to cyber-convert lifeforms. The Cybermen themselves contained a small number of Mechanising Worms inside each of their Cyber-bodies; these were designed to activate and break out of the Cyberman if it died, converting the Cyberman's attackers to replace it. Mobile conversion units also contained Mechanising Worms, and could use them to assist in restraining a lifeform for conversion. (AUDIO: Code Silver)
Beyond this, Mechanising Worms were also used by the Machine when trying to establish a dimension bridge between two universes. They could be used to upgrade mental avatars and incorporate them into the signal linking the two universes. Mechanising Worms could still be used even if the control signal of dimension bridge technology had to broadcast across a dimensional gap; they could attack an unconscious individual who had previously used dimension bridge technology for an extensive period within a dream-state. Mechanising Worms could also be translocated to partially upgrade this individual before the dimension bridge to that individual's universe had been established. (AUDIO: Telepresence)
