The Drudge

The Drudge
Stats
Species	The Drudge
Gender	Unknown
Mission(s) present in	Majority of the missions
Status	Unknown
Location	Previously: Washington, D.C., and Trust base, currently: unknown
Weapon(s)	Strike Rifle
[Source]

The Drudge was initially thought to be a race of insectoid extraterrestial beings that are invading Washington, D.C. for unknown reasons, in The Conduit. They are the main antagonists of The Conduit, and they are divided into different groups that you'll have to fight over the course of the game. They are: Drones, Scarabs, Skimmers, Mites, and Invaders.

Background

At the beginning of the game, The Drudge were thought to be extraterrestrials. Near the end of the campaign mode, it is revealed that the Drudge are not aliens, but beings created by The Trust, using Prometheus as a genetic blueprint. The end of the game reveals that John Adams (real name "Enlil") was exiled to Earth roughly 240 years ago to found The Trust, an organization supposedly dedicated to eliminating alien threats. In reality, it acted as a sleeper organization that would infiltrate human society and eventually conquer the planet. Even with the The Trust supposedly destroyed, their plans for invasion still seem to be proceeding.

Forms

The Drudge appear in many different forms throughout the game. There are the adult forms, s

Two Drudge Invaders.

uch as Drones, Scarabs, and Skimmers; and Mites, the hatchlings that are thought to grow into them. There are also giant four-legged creatures known as Invaders.

Drones

Drones are the standard infantry of The Drudge. They always carry Strike Rifles, and sometimes throw radiation grenades. They usually attack in groups.

Skimmer.

Skimmers

Skimmers are a flying adult variation. They are smaller than Drones, but larger than Mites, and carry a Shrieker. They are always flying, and are never seen walking on the ground.

Scarab concept art.

Scarabs

Scarabs are the strongest of the Drudge infantry. They are larger than Drones, and much stronger. Due to their powerful exo-skeletons, there are many shots needed to kill them. Also, they carry a Hive Cannon, which makes them even more powerful. A variation of the Scarabs are the Storm Scarabs, which look the same as normal Scarabs, except for the fact that they don't use weapons, and the ASE is needed to make them completely visible and tangible.

Mites

Mites are the smallest and weakest of The Drudge forces. They are divided into:

• Med-Mites are the only species in the game that are able to heal their allies by just being around them. They can even heal themselves, but cannot revive themselves or anyone else. They carry a Warp Pistol.
• Para-Mites are worm-like creatures that are able to fly, and are never seen on ground. They only attack by poking the player and use no weapons, as they have no arms.

Tear-Mites.

• Tear-Mites are bipedal, have two arms with a large claw on each one, and large spikes on their back. They always try to slash the player with their claws. They don't carry any weapons.
• Therm-Mites look very similar to Tear-Mites, except that these are orange-colored. They will try to approach the player by rolling to him/her and explode.

Invaders

Invaders are giant quadrupedal creatures who are the most powerful Drudge form. They can create a small swarm of Para-Mites, and can fire shots similar to those of the Shrieker. They act as bosses. An invader's melee attack is one of the most damaging attacks of the game.

Conduits

The Drudge are invading Washington D.C. by use of the conduits. Conduits are portals found on many missions, where Drudge forces come out of. If the player does not destroy these conduits, more Drudge will keep emerging. The largest Conduit found in the game is seen in the first level and the eighth level, where a major battle pursues.

Trivia

• The definition of the word "drudge" is: "A person who does tedious, menial, or unpleasant work."

See also

• Link