Zudjari: History
The Betrayal of Mu'ut Jeen
"Allegiance cannot be demanded by the unproven."
- War Commander Mu'ut Jeen, Assimilator of Zudjari Mosaic
TARGET ANALYSIS: 011000000001
TARGET OF INTEREST: MU'UT JEEN
KNOWN ALIASES: "WAR COMMANDER", "ASSIMILATOR", "COMMANDER"
CURRENT POSITION: EARTH – EXACT LOCATION UNKNOWN
SPECIES: ZUDJARI
INFORMATION OF NOTE: TARGET DECEASED
INFORMATION OF NOTE: PSIONIC
INFORMATION OF NOTE: KNOWN SUBORDINATE TO ZUDJARI FIGURES IDENTIFIED AS "AXIS" AND "ORIGIN" – MEANING OF TITLES UNKNOWN
INFORMATION OF NOTE: PROPONENT OF THE "MOSAIC PHILOSOPHY"
INFORMATION OF NOTE: SUSPECTED DEATH AT HANDS OF ETHEREALS
INFORMATION OF NOTE: HIGHLY AGGRESSIVE AND DISMISSIVE OF ALIEN SPECIES
PSIONIC SPECIALIZATION: UNKNOWN – TELEPATHIC POWERS WERE OBSERVED
THREAT LEVEL TO ANDROMEDON FEDERATION: NONE (DECEASED)
ADDITIONAL MANUAL COMMENT: Gathering information on both a species and event which the vast majority of the Collective is unaware of is a challenge, but one which was solved through patience and careful planning. However, despite the individual in question being deceased long before this document was commissioned, this individual was extremely interesting for what he did, and what he represents.
I will not speculate much on the past of Mu'ut Jeen, rather, I would bring up what we can learn of the Zudjari from observing him. Information on the species is heavily controlled directly by the Ethereals, and gathering anything concrete is nigh-impossible. However, we do know that Mu'ut Jeen was one of the Zudjari leadership who happened to have been awakened by the Ethereals on the designated planet Zudjari-7 (Incidentally, this planet was first located by the Sectoids – which explains how Jeen managed to enslave so many during his rebellion).
Jeen was a psion, and given that he was the only Zudjari observed to wield psionic powers, it implies that the ability was a rare one within the Zudjari, which is another reason why he was likely placed in a position of authority. While certainly unlikely to be at the level of an Ethereal, Jeen was skilled enough to evade a direct attack by the Battlemaster and survive long enough to get to a ship and flee to Earth.
There are a few recordings the Sectoids have in their archives, between Jeen and the Ethereal identified as Cogitian, about various aspects of the Zudjari Mosaic – which was the name of the central Zudjari power before they were destroyed, as well as about Jeen himself. The obvious question one might have regarding this species is 'what happened to them?'
As Jeen explained, the Mosaic was attacked close to six hundred thousand years ago by a machine-organic fleet which had seemed to come out of nowhere. These bear an uncanny resemblance to the Synthesized, the same power than is attributed to the fall of the Ethereal Empire. This lends significant weight to the theory that this power is specifically behind the fall of major galactic civilizations, and that they will come again.
What is also interesting is that Jeen stated that the location where they had been awakened – referred to as the Forge of the Outsider – was not the only one which exists in the galaxy. Supposedly there are others, though the locations of which are split between the Zudjari leadership. Jeen possibly shared the locations he knew with the Ethereals, but the others held by the other two major Zudjari leaders are likely still unknown.
Jeen stated that he was subordinate to a figure he only identified as "Axis", who in turn was subordinate to another Zudjari called "Origin". Axis, he described as a high-ranking figure who had "Control over a complete piece of the greater Mosaic", which I will attribute as having control over a section of the Zudjari Mosaic. I suspect he was also a psion, but there is nothing to prove this assumption.
Origin is a more enigmatic figure. He was described as "The most powerful of the Zudjari", though also added "Whose powers are far beyond my own or yours". Origin, from further elaboration, did not appear to have an official position within the Mosaic, but was one of several figures (Who were also named Origin) who were almost god-like to the Zudjari, providing new technology, philosophies, and words which improved the species as a whole.
What is interesting is that Origin (All of them) were never the prominent Zudjari. They chose their own, and were usually Zudjari orphans or the lowest of the species. It's unknown if Origin Zudjari were a sect which was simply more advanced, or were under the control of something else. Regardless, Origins appeared to have near-unlimited power within the Mosaic, and if Jeen is to be believed, provided the foundations of the Mosaic Philosophy itself.
This will serve as a seque into the clearest insight into the Zudjari themselves. The entirety of the Zudjari species was guided by the "Mosaic Philosophy", which in essence stated that war was the fundamental constant of the universe, and that all life in the galaxy had a specific purpose in the galactic war machine. As the Philosophy described, the more diverse an army is, the more complete and powerful the galactic mosaic becomes.
The Philosophy then states that the mosaic can only be expanded through conquest and assimilation, and peace can only come to a galaxy when all life is united under a single mosaic.
From the descriptions provided by Jeen, the Zudjari embraced this philosophy completely. You will note that the manifesto itself does not specify a species, but Jeen was adamant that the Zudjari are the centerpiece of the galactic mosaic, and others exist to help them complete it. The Zudjari apparently conquered and enslaved many species in their time, and assimilated them into their army to fulfill specific functions and niches the Zudjari themselves could not for one reason or another.
At the same time, as these were slaves, I doubt that they were utilized to their fullest potential. The species appeared to gain early advantages, and likely faced little opposition conquering weak or primitive species. While we cannot accurately gauge their power, it was a curious note that Jeen specifically avoided the question of how quickly the Mosaic was destroyed.
I suspect that they did not last long, despite the technology observed being at the same level, or beyond, our own.
Jeen's belief in the Zudjari master species was likely what gave him the confidence to betray the Ethereals. I suspect he regretted it soon after the immediate response by the Battlemaster, as he only managed to free several hundred Zudjari soldiers and telepathically subdued the Sectoids and Mutons on the planet, then enslaved them with Zudjari technology.
How he learned about Earth at all is a mystery, but upon the arrival of the Battlemaster he apparently judged that his chances would be better on Earth. We don't know the exact details of what happened on the planet, but it is likely that he died at the hands of an Ethereal.
This species is one to be watchful of. If what Jeen said was accurate and there are other similar compounds, we may encounter them in the future. I would not put the possibility of the Ethereals either awakening Axis or Origin out of the question either. But the betrayal of Jeen appears to have soured the Ethereals on interacting with the Zudjari in any meaningful way, and for now they are simply used to create Outsider units.
We are better off investigating ways to utilize Zudjari technology itself, not the species.
RECOMMENDATION: BEGIN INVESTIGATION OF ZUDJARI TECHNOLOGY; CONTINUE INVESTIGATION OF ZUDJARI SPECIES; LOCATE ADDITIONAL ZUDJARI COMPOUND FOR RESEARCH
REPORT COMPILER: SPECIAL OPERATOR 076; ANDROMEDON FEDERATION; [ERROR! DATA NOT FOUND!]
END REPORT
AWAITING REASSINGMENT
Log Z001 – CODEX Archive System
Category: Interview
Type: Audio Log
Participants: Archivist Cogitian; Mu'ut Jeen, Assimilator of the Zudjari Mosaic
Begin playback:
[Cogitian]: "The Zudjari Mosaic, how many species were…added over the course of their history?"
[Mu'ut Jeen]: "Twenty-seven alien species were added to the Mosaic over the ages. We did not discriminate as all species have a place and purpose in the Mosaic. The majority were barely sentient, little more than beasts, but nonetheless we found and determined their role and place."
[C]: "For your armies?"
[MJ]: "I would think rhetorical questions are beyond you, Ethereal. Where else would they be used?"
[C]: "Curious. I assume all of these species were conquered?"
[MJ]: "With ease. Origin ensured that no species could challenge our might as we united the galaxy under the Mosaic."
[C]: "Your species was subservient to this Origin?"
[MJ]: "Hardly subservient. They were the greatest of the Zudjari, our guides to establishing the principles of the Mosaic across the galaxy."
[C]: "Despite your…apparent military prowess conquering the no-doubt dangerous primitive species, your Mosaic fell."
[MJ]: "A setback. One foreseen by Origin. Their foresight is why we are speaking now. The Mosaic can be repeatedly broken, but we will unite it once again."
[C]: "And…just how do you plan to do that? Your species is reduced to nothing, and this facility is under our control. While we do not have hostile intentions for your species, you understand that contending with a rival power is something we have no interest in allowing?"
[MJ]: "This galaxy is large enough for us to coexist. We do not need to be a part of your Collective, and as…gratitude…for awakening us, you will not be assimilated into the Mosaic immediately."
[C]: "You are certainly optimistic."
[MJ]: "Even the Ethereals will recognize the truth of the Mosaic in time. You are not like the lesser species here, nor are you a significant power any longer. But you could be formidable. One day."
[C]: "Another enlightening conversation, Assimilator. That will be all for today."
[MJ]: "Wait. When will the rest of my species be awakened? Axis and Origin?"
[C]: "When the Imperator authorizes it."
[MJ]: "I would advise he speed this decision. I will not wait forever."
[C]: "Assimilator, I will offer you some advice – Don't push the Imperator or do anything rash. We do not tolerate threats."
[MJ]: "Neither do I, Ethereal. And neither does my species."
It was a lone barren planet. One where the Sectoids were only concerned about surveying and leaving to report to their Hive Commanders the potential exploitations of a system. Nothing out of the ordinary was expected, which was made all the more shocking when the Sectoid scouts detected a mass of energy on one of the planets.
Closer inspection revealed that not only was this energy spike massive, it came from a clearly alien structure. Reinforcements were called, excavation and exploration teams, Muton guards, and myself, of course. The design was unlike anything I had ever seen. A pyramid made out of orange crystal; seeming to glow in the perpetual day of the planet.
Inside bred more curiosity and questions. This was a species I had never encountered or heard of before, even in stories. My immediate suspicion was that these might be among the oldest ruins in the galaxy, although due to the pristine condition of the pyramid, such a description would be incredibly erroneous.
It took some time before we could determine and map the pyramid, and we finally found a lower level – and what was there made all of what we had endured worthwhile. Thousands of stasis chambers were discovered, all containing an alien species we had never seen or heard about before. More interesting was that three displayed clear psionic sensitivity.
Assuming them to be the leaders, we awakened one from stasis. In retrospect, it was fortunate we released the one who was the weakest of the three, as if his power was any indication, the others would have been more formidable. Mu'ut Jeen was his name, his title was one called an "Assimilator", and he hailed from the Zudjari Mosaic.
My interactions with him were fascinating. Warlike species were not unusual, even in the Empire. None challenged our power, of course, but we heard stories and received reports. Sometimes they were sadists, sometimes they were being manipulated by a figurehead who had taken control. Very rarely were they organized, effective, or had any sense of community.
Honor-based warrior civilizations were even rarer, and never grew beyond several planets. Ironically, principles based on morality and nebulous concepts are easily exploited by those less scrupulous. But in general, pure warrior societies simply had too many issues to ever pose a threat to a more balanced society.
The significant difference I determined the Zudjari had was their fanatical belief in the Mosaic Philosophy, a belief that the galaxy is a fractured mosaic with all life fulfilling a specific role. The belief that the only way to make the galaxy 'whole' is to unite it under one architect species. The Zudjari considered themselves the architects, and all species would be assimilated.
While I would not count the Zudjari as especially efficient, and suspect they were actual pawns of the Origin, who I further suspect were servants of a Sovereign one, they were an example of a warrior species that could, in theory, pose a significant threat on a galactic level. With that said, the description provided by Jeen indicated that the Zudjari Mosaic was much smaller than he wanted to admit, and that there were others who were of similar power.
But this story is not on the Zudjari, but rather the actions of one specific Assimilator.
I had, of course, suspected after speaking with him extensively that he might pose a threat. No other Zudjari were awakened, and the stasis pods of Axis and Origin – the remaining psionic Zudjari identified by Jeen – were moved off-planet without his knowledge. I suspect the Imperator has stashed Origin either on the Temple Ship or an otherwise unknown world. Axis was first sent to Revelean, who presumably extracted what he needed, and then sent him to the Creator with strict instructions to not tamper with the stasis pod.
As far as I know, he is still at the Blacksite of the Creator. This was presumably done on the orders of the Imperator.
I had intentionally hid the power of our species, as I am aware I am not the pinnacle of psionic power, nor are the Sectoids. It was both to gauge his reactions and provide a false impression. Needless to say what I saw and was displayed proved that Jeen was likely too irrational to be allowed to integrate the Zudjari into our Collective. Not without reforms. He protested the delays of awakening his species, as expected.
However, what was not expected was him rebelling when I had left the planet briefly and assuming control over our entire ground force. Several hundred Mutons and Sectoids were psionically dominated, a truly impressive display of power.
What was not as impressive was his…attempt at fighting. The Assimilator immediately released a thousand more Zudjari, and that was all that was possible before the Battlemaster personally intervened and assaulted the Zudjari Forge of the Outsider, as Jeen had identified it as. They had enslaved the Sectoids and Mutons on the planet with devices from the forge, and they fought a futile conflict as the Battlemaster arrived.
The newly awakened Zudjari clearly did not know how to handle the Battlemaster, and when Jeen became aware of the fact that he had lost nearly a quarter of his forces in less than thirty minutes, he realized that he had badly underestimated us and immediately fled on a commandeered Sectoid craft with fewer than a dozen surviving Zudjari soldiers under his command.
How he managed to even learn of the existence of Earth is a puzzling mystery, but it was a simple matter to track the ship and the Imperator dispatched Nebulan and Sicarius to clean up the incident before the Humans were altered, or worse, mobilized for fear of an alien attack. The rest of the rebellion was quashed by the Battlemaster, and all living Zudjari were slaughtered as well as the compromised Sectoids and Mutons.
The world is now under the direct control of the Imperator, and has been largely left alone, as only one Zudjari remains to operate it and produce for us some gifts of their Forge. Perhaps one day the Zudjari will become a part of the Ethereal Collective, but after the actions of Mu'ut Jeen, it will not be for some time yet.
- Discovery of the Zudjari, Part I by Archivist Cogitian
XCOM File Z102
Authorization Level: Internal Council
Subject: The Outsider Incident
Document Type: Historical
Report Author: Ethereal Aegis
Approved By: The Commander
In reviewing several of the historical documents at XCOM which actually predate its existence, I managed to find a reference to the so-called "Outsider Incident", which I was personally surprised to find, though after reading the document, I can certainly see why this wasn't more public or well-known. It happens to be an event that I am familiar with, and I would like to take some time to provide additional context as to this event.
I will first begin with the initial incident, where an alien structure was discovered and immediately investigated. This turned out to be a Forge of the Outsider, a facility of an alien species called the Zudjari. It has been responsible for producing the Outsider units you have fought before. There is a reason they are different from the vast majority of Collective units – because they use technology alien even to us.
There were also thousands of Zudjari aliens in stasis pods, and naturally we awakened one of the leaders. Cogitian determined that they were a warlike species bent on fulfilling what he described as the "Mosaic Philosophy", which instructs those who follow it to conquer all life in the galaxy. This is not especially important to know, but it was a belief that all Zudjari followed.
I suspect that the awakened Zudjari, Mu'ut Jeen, believed us to be far weaker than he anticipated, as the moment Cogitian left the planet he attacked and easily dominated the Sectoids and Mutons on the planet. He was a powerful psion, but the retaliation was immediate by the Imperator. The Battlemaster was sent to put down Jeen and his awakened army, and he succeeded, though not before Jeen escaped on a stolen Sectoid craft.
Headed to Earth.
To this day I do not know how he learned of your world, as it was discovered mere years before, although it is possible he extracted it telepathically from Cogitian, though even this is questionable. With his small army of Zudjari soldiers – no more than twelve – he landed on Earth and fortunately didn't choose a heavily populated area.
He chose a small town in Missouri, isolated from the rest of the world, and either killed or enslaved the inhabitants as he learned about your species and his situation. At the same time the Imperator dispatched Nebulan and Sicarius to deal with Jeen and your species, respectively. It took some time for the United States government to investigate, and during this time Jeen fortified the town he was in as he presumably planned what to do next.
The CIA eventually sent an agent, William Carter, to investigate the town going dark. He ran directly into the fortified Zudjari defenses and was nearly killed. Upon his arrival, Nebulan began taking control of the Human response. From her own description she completely dominated Carter, used him as a mouthpiece to communicate back to the US government and assisted him in staying alive while he waited for reinforcements.
At the same time as the reinforcements were arriving, Sicarius infiltrated the fortified town and killed Jeen in his sleep, and extracted the body which was sent to Revelean. Leaderless, the Zudjari soldiers were in chaos as the United States military arrived. With the Humans enhanced by Nebulan, and the Zudjari forces disoriented by her own illusions, they fell to the Humans in short order.
Agent Carter was declared a hero, and Nebulan made sure that it was classified above top secret. I am surprised she simply did not just wipe their minds, but perhaps that was deemed too much of a risk. Instead of erasing it outright, she lessened its importance. A minor incident in which their victory over the aliens meant there was little to fear.
I suspect she also placed subtle psionic triggers in their minds which made them gradually forget this event had happened. The only details left were in old classified files. However, this incident did eventually lead to the formation of XCOM and clearly there were those who, even if it wasn't a major concern, still treated the possibility seriously.
Both Nebulan and Sicarius departed your world without ever being detected, and I am fairly certain that there is no one alive today who remembers the Outsider Incident. However, the Zudjari still exist and it is possible that the Imperator may decide to use them one day.
Best to be prepared.