Zudjari

The Zudjari, also known as Outsiders, are a militaristic species governed by a hive mind known as Mosaic. The Zudjari are responsible for an attempted invasion of Earth in 1962, prompting the initial establishment of the XCOM initiative.

Overview
The Zudjari are a humanoid species with grey skin, bald and slanted heads and a vertical mouth. They are responsible for the conquest of other planets and civilisations before invading Earth. Their technology includes laser and plasma weaponry, teleportation, heavily armed and armoured starships and even mind control capabilities.

The Zudjari are united and controlled by a collective intelligence known as Mosaic, enthralling them to the will of their leader, Origin. However, when a Zudjari infiltrator was captured by XCOM, a neural implant was removed during interrogation, severing the infiltrator from Mosaic. The Zudjari in question immediately became far more cooperative with his Human captors and willingly provided intel to aid in their war effort, expressing a desire to free the rest of his people from Mosaic.

In addition to their own soldiers during the Earth invasion, the Zudjari also made use of other species as auxiliary units. Silacoids were created to be used as bioweapons, Sectoids as slaves and cannon fodder, and even Muton mercenaries to provide heavy support.