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Cybershades were a variant of Cybermen that served Miss Hartigan and the Cybus Cybermen.
Biology and Appearance
Cybershades were wraith like creatures with bronze Cyber-heads.The Doctor remarked that Cybershades may have the brains of cats or dogs. They were seemingly unable to run upright, instead they were only known to run on all fours. They were incapable of speech, instead making growls to communicate with others. It was confirmed by the Doctor Who Website that the Cybershades have animal brains in the Jack Harness Monster file (Captain Jack's Monster Files: Cybermen).
Instead of the traditional handle-bars, Cybershades had handle-bars that resembled piping that was connected to their heads, instead of the normal handle-bars that went into a crest on the top of a Cyberman's head. (DW: The Next Doctor)
Mercy Hartigan had a CyberShade assigned to drive her personal horse-and-buggy.
History
Sometime during the 19th Century, the Cybermen of a Parallel Earth broke out of The Void. Needing extra work force, they created the Cybershades as guards and scouts, modeling them on animals so as not to draw to much attention. At least 16 Cybershades were created.
When the Cybermen made contact with Miss Hartigan, the Cybershades were placed under her command. At least one Cybershade was being hunted by "The Doctor"., but it always managed to evade him.
When Miss Hartigan (now the Cyber-King) took control of a the Cybermen and entered a large, mobile Cyber factory, at least two Cybershades accompanied her (although there could have been more). When The Doctor gave her back her emotions, the Cybershades exploded along with her and the Cybermen, presumably making the Cybershades extinct.
Trivia
- The concept of Cybermen using less-developed organic brains to create servant units is not unheard of. A similar process was used by the Mondasian Cybermen to create early Cybermats. (BFBS: The Crystal of Cantus)
Behind the scenes
Cybershades were first revealed in Russell T. Davies: The Writer's Tale, where it was confirmed that they would appear in The Next Doctor.
In this episode, at least one Cybershade was played by Ruari Mears, who had played the part of Hath Gable in The Doctor's Daughter.