I do not own anything. Here is the list of what I DON'T own:

Tiki is a Xenomorph, which I DON'T own. No Xeno in this chapter belongs to me!

War of the Worlds (And it's aliens, Machi and Zerxus and all others) is another thing I DON'T own.

And the Crystal Egg is another thing I DON'T own.

I disown everything!

Machi stared at the egg in admiration. He loved the glowing blue light radiating off of it. He likes almost any flashing light. Occasionally, he would get on his Tripod and go to the Artic and watch the northern lights for hours. And speaking of Tripod...

Machi used the Crystal Egg to contact a special group of Reginites. They are the ones who build the Z'hinas, the Reginite war machines.

"This is Machi. I'm requesting a replacement Z'hina for Zerxus. The first was in an...accident." Machi informed. The Reginites smiled and nodded. They all knew Machi and Zerxus had a very important status in their society. It would be an honor to serve them

"What is your location, Great Machi?" one of them asked.

"Planet Earth. North America. USA. California. Chula Vista."

The Reginites immedatly recorded the information.

"Okay. It'll arrive in an Earth day or 2."

"Excellent. And while your at it, bring some Ziths."

Again the Reginites nodded.

"Of course."

Machi broke contact. He continued to examine the egg.

"Machi."

He paused as the Martian Council of the Minds' image appeared on the egg. Uh oh...Machi got nervous.

"Machi. Are we to believe that you didn't get anything about the pzanos from Zerxus?"

Machi paused. Busted...

"No, I didn't." he answered.

"Why ever not?" one of them asked. Machi smiled.

"Zerxus is a much more stubborn Reginite than I originally thought." he said, no longer nervous. He had no reason to be. As far as he's concerned, he has slightly more power than they did.

"Well, how long will it take for you to succeed?"

Machi chuckled.

"Let's say never." he said in total confedence. He broke contact.

-Tiki-

Tiki watched Machi from the vent. She's out of her sadness and moping schedule. But Cape Riding brought back too many memories, so she abandoned the game. Now she's been scurrying around the shafts, picking up insects to eat along the way.

She was aware of what happened. And she was happy about Machi's decision. Maybe he can be trusted after all and maybe she didn't have to so cautious around him. He is starting to earn her trust again.

-Machi-

Machi also felt good about what he did. He was sure there was another way to get the pzanos. A way that didn't involve putting his friends in danger. He hid the Crystal Egg in the plants again and moved to the vent. He reached in and grabbed Tiki softly. He's been knowing she was hiding in there.

Tiki didn't struggle like she's been doing during the past few days everytime Machi grabbed her. This time, she was happy to be with him. She purred and rubbed her head on a tentacle. Machi petted her.

"I'm so proud of you Machi." she said. Machi smiled.

"I'm going to the pet store!" Zerxus called from another room.

"Uh oh..." Tiki mumbled. There was a pause before Zerxus walked in.

"Where's my Z'hina?" he asked. Tiki smiled sheepishly. Machi chuckled. Zerxus watched them in confusion.

"Tiki took a driver's test." Machi told him. The Reginite's mouth dropped.

"I did good." Tiki mumbled. Machi looked down at her. She poked at a tentacle guiltily.

"You crashed it and blew it up." Machi said paused and shifted uncomfortably.

"I did good." she repeated. Zerxus shook his head.

"Don't worry. I ordered you another." Machi assured. Zertxus smiled.

"Thanks."

"Like I said, don't worry. Anyway...we can walk there. In some ways, that'll be better." he offered. Zerxus nodded. He knew it was safer to walk since he and Machi can take on human forms. While in human form, everything changes, even their DNA. They can practically take medical tested and go on undetected. They don't have a problem walking around in their true alien form, but deguising themselves will make things easier.

Leaving Tiki in the house, Machi and Zerxus walked out the door.

"Male or female?" Machi asked. Since both races are without gender, they can choose between sexes and it won't make much of a ifference to them. Zerxus shrugged.

"Who cares? I don't. Male...female. They all look the same to me." Zerxus mumbled. Choosing to be male, they wandered to the nearest pet store.

-Tiki-

Tiki trotted around. She wandered to the fridge and jumped on the handle. Thrusting herself back while clutching the door, she opened the fridge. Leaping down, she rummaged through the contents of raw meat products.

-Machi/Zerxus-

Machi and Zerxus stared at the tropical fish.

"These things make me hungry." Zerxus mumbled to Machi. Machi smiled.

"I can make them jump out of the tank. Wanna watch?" Machi asked. As long as they are in human form, Martians can speak vocally. Zerxus chuckled.

"Don't Machi. You'll just stress them out." he said. "You can kill them."

"That's the point." Smiling, Zerxus playfully pulled Machi away before he can cause the fish any harm.

-Tiki-

Tiki was still raiding the fridge when she heard something outside. She leaned back to look over the side of the door. A steak was flopped on top of her head and she had a rib in her jaws, nibbling it with her tongue.

There was a silent pause. Tiki listened carefully. She can hear the hum of a machine. It reminded her of Zerxus' Z'hina.

"I knew was going to come back and haunt me." she mumbled. The hum stopped. Tiki put the rib and steak back and closed the door. She heard footsteps just outside. She hoped Machi and Zerxus was back.

The knob fumbled but the door was locked. Someone was trying to get in. Tiki cautiously approached the front door. And instinctive growl emerged from her throat. Whoever's out there isn't part of this Hive. Reflexive thoughts came up in her mind.

'Intruders. Protect the Hive. Kill them!'

Tiki's growl turned into a hiss. The door fell silent. Tiki growled again. The door bell rang. Tiki quieted down and jumped on the knob. She unlocked it.

"Open and enter at your own risk!" she said threateningly, jumping off. The door slowly began to move.

No more grounding! Freedom! YES!!!! Next chapter will come up when I feel like it. Just kidding. As soon as I can. Pleaz Read and review.