Chapter Three: Spiders from Mars.

Once the last of the webs holding her were off Crystal, and her friend Amber, led Shaggy and Scooby into the mountains. They promised the spider creatures wouldn't go that far and they would be safe with her people.

"So like, you're the Baron's 'partners'?" Shaggy asked.

"The Earthling Sly Baron is a friend of my people yes," said Crystal. "I don't know why he didn't tell you this before you left."

"Well us folks on Earth kind of...think it's just us," said Shaggy.

"Isn't that a little conceited?" asked Crystal, making a face that would suggest she raised an eyebrow.

"Hey I'm all for life on other worlds," said Shaggy. "I just don't want it to eat me."

"Likewise," said Crystal. "But that's why you're here to help us isn't it?"

"Once again, old Sly didn't feel the need to let us know we were coming," said Shaggy. "So what were those things anyway?"

"We call them the Jailers but the...others call them Watchers," said Crystal.

"Jailers? So then does this mean this isn't your home planet?" asked Shaggy.

"That is a long story," said Crystal. "Best heard when one has food in the belly."

"Like now you have my attention," said Shaggy.

"Mine too," said Scooby.

Crystal chuckled while Amber merely huffed as if in annoyance.

Riding the orange river, the three other members of Mystery Inc. washed up in the mountain area. Though the waters they swam through had been oddly comfortable, both warm and yet cool at the same time, they were still shaken. Shaken by the death they had witnessed at the hands of true alien monsters. Velma in particular had been struck silent. Her rational mind unable to cope with all that had happened. She had just traversed an entire galaxy, landed on an alien world, and encountered true extraterrestrial life. Hostile life at that and all her intellect and skepticism were shattered by such a terrible realization.
Daphne did her best to comfort her friend, while Fred tried to remain focused on the task at hand: survival.

"We need to find shelter," said Fred. "We have no idea if those things will come for us again."

"What about Shaggy and Scooby?" asked Daphne. "They're still out there. So are the others?"

"Right now we need to focus on our own survival," said Fred. "Shaggy and Scooby should be able to survive well enough. As for the others...we'll deal with this once we're rested."

"Then allow me to help you with that," a new voice said.

The three former detectives looked up with surprise as a strange looking figure stood over them. An alien figure with blue skin and a bulbous head, holding a long staff and wearing robes like he were some kind of sorcerer.

"Welcome my friends," the alien said in a kindly voice, offering Fred his hand.

Though somewhat wary at first, Fred ultimately took the alien by the hand, if for no other reason than to say he did.

"Well, I hope you've gotten it all out of your systems," said Baron.

He, as well as his robots, had managed to round up the other members of their party just in time to have an encounter with the spiders. Baron's robots were able to make work of them and they escaped the forest, making their way to the mountains.

"You lie to us, kidnap us, and hold us at gunpoint," said Colt. "What other response was there for us than to try and escape from you?"

"You could have heard me out," said Baron. "Instead our party is divided and we've wasted precious time. But at least now I hope you're all willing to believe that I meant you no ill will. If I did I would have left the whole lot of you to the spiders."

"And just what about these friends you want to introduce us to?" asked Shannon.

"You'll just have to wait until we meet them," said Baron. "Now, shall we have any further trouble or shall we get on with the expedition?"

"What about the others?" asked Zip.

"They made their choice," said Baron. "And we must always live with our choices. No matter how much dread they bring us."

Crystal and Amber led Shaggy and Scooby into a series of caves. By the time their trek ended the four of them had entered a makeshift town within the heart of the mountains. It reminded Shaggy of images of the old Hoovervilles that people had made for themselves during the Great Depression and other similar areas where poor or oppressed people had been forced to.
The only light in the cave came from a large crystal hanging at the high roof of the cave. Looking around Shaggy also noticed others of Crystal's species and how they reacted to the sight of him and Scooby. Those who appeared to be adults looked at them warily and many ushered children inside their makeshift homes.

"Don't mind them," said Crystal, pulling Shaggy along by the arm. "We're a...we've become a nervous people."

"I can relate," said Shaggy.

Crystal brought Shaggy to the center of the town, where to the latter's surprise the others had gathered.

"Fred, Daphne, Velma, like thank god," said Shaggy, running up to his friends.

Scooby followed suit and licked all three of them on the face.

"It's great to see you guys are alright too," said Fred. "Take it you met the other...residents?"

"You mean those spider looking things?" said Shaggy. "Like man, they were a nightmare."

"We know," said Daphne. "We...we lost Ridley."

"Tragic," said Baron. "But if anything you all brought such a fate on yourselves when you all went on your own."

"Says the man who kidnapped us at gunpoint," said Colt.

"Yes, it would appear that you have not been as trustworthy of men Baron," said the older alien who guided Fred and the others to the camp. "Please my friends, sit and I shall try to explain this bizarre situation."

The visitors did as requested, and several of the aliens brought some kind of mush they assumed was dinner. Naturally Shaggy and Scooby were the more adventurous of eaters. The fact that they could eat the alien food, and keep it down without issue, told the others it was safe to eat.

"Tastes like calamari and peanut butter," said Shaggy with a sigh, much to the disgust of the others though they hid it well enough.

Crystal actually chuckled from her position next to Shaggy and Daphne couldn't help but take note of that.

"Our tale I fear is a sad one," said the elder. "I am Toth, the elder of these people the Hanna. And we were not always these cave dwelling wretches you see before you. Once we were an advanced people. We created wonders of science such as the Distortion Engine which brought you here. This and other wonders allowed us to create a paradise that was the envy of the cosmos. It was this envy which led us to our ruin."

From his staff, Toth displayed a holographic view of the history of the Hanna. The visitors could see the vast cities, so clean and advanced, with all the classic accouterments of an alien world. They saw what could only be described as museums, concert halls, and other fine examples of culture. The fashion of the Hanna, in their true culture, was actually somewhat reminiscent of the Greeks of Earth.
But the images soon changed as the sky of their world grew red.

"Our prosperity brought forth the envious fury of one who would bring us to our ruin," said Toth.

The image of red skies showed a fleet of ships descending and laying waste to the cities of the Hanna. The image focused on one ship of the invaders zooming in on an imposing figure. A titan of a being in blue armor wearing a domed helmet that saw through to a hideous glowing skull-like head.

"Like who's that kook?" asked Shaggy, seeing the fearful reactions of Crystal and others of the Hanna.

While normally he too would be trembling, as he felt Crystal's grip on his shoulder he did all he could to be stable. No sense making her even more anxious.

"The one who brought us to ruin," said Toth. "He is called Bas'k'am. He brought ruin to our world."

The scene showed a weapon bombardment upon the shining cities. Scores of alien creatures raining down and attacking the people.

"Our world was ruined," said Toth. "Those who survived were taken off of the wreck. Made into slave labor to mine for materials on worlds such as this. To mine for this."

Several Hanna people brought forth a case and poured out its contents. Slabs of what looked like silver cut into small rectangular shapes.

"Precious metals to make armor and weapons so that he can continue his campaign," said Toth. "We are kept in these caves, the mines in which we slave in, and are denied the air of the outside."

"Because of the spiders," said Fred.

"Yes," said Toth. "Our only grace is they are nocturnal. Thus we are able to scavenge for whatever food we can find in the forests during the day. Where one of you has already perished I am sorry to say. And where one of you has shown the greatest of courage in saving one of our own."

Crystal placed her hand on Shaggy's shoulder, earning the attention of the others.

"We managed to salvage preciously little technology," Toth continued. "With it were able to receive certain signals from you world. Transmitted via satellite, tell me is your...Vietnam War still going on?"

"What? Oh...oh you must have gotten transmissions from the sixties," said Velma.

Shaggy looked over at Crystal and noticed her medallion.

"Yeah, like...like that was a long time ago," said Shaggy.

"Indeed, our primitive transmissions did get there with some delay," said Baron. "But with what little these people had left they were able to send a message. As well as the designs for the technology aboard the Sly Star One. And a way for us to communicate better."

"So what does that have to do with us?" asked Colt.

"Quite simply put, we're here to help these people," said Baron. "Bas'k'am will be coming to collect within one month's time."

"And what, do you expect us to fight some alien warlord?" asked Zip.

"No, we'd be slaughtered," said Baron. "We're going to trick him."

"What do you mean?" asked Daphne.

"In our digging we uncovered a fault in the mountain," said Toth. "It could bring it down on all of us in a massive explosion."

"I get it," said Fred. "We fake your deaths."

"Correct," said Baron. "We fake the deaths of the Hanna, effectively setting them free, and bring them to Earth for their safety. Hence why I sought to bring expects and celebrities who would be able to persuade the governments and people of the world not only of their genuine existence but of their harmless nature."

"U-Boat and Ridley," said Shaggy.

"Yes, and thanks to your impatience we've lost them both," said Baron.

"It was your robots that killed him you asshole," yelled Zip.

"That is beside the point," said Baron. "We can still complete the mission. If you're willing to follow my lead from here on out. If we work quickly we can arrange everything so it will look as if the Hanna were effectively killed in a mining accident. Bas'k'am will not care if he loses a handful of slaves. And as far as I know he has no knowledge of Earth."

"Yet," said Colt. "What makes you so sure he wont eventually find his way to our neck of the woods?"

"He hasn't yet," said Baron. "And that is a great boon to us. His lack of knowledge of us will keep us safe. While the Hanna's knowledge of him will prepare us for if he does. After all, can you truly return to Earth knowing that somewhere out there among the stars is an actual hostile alien conqueror roaming free and unchallenged?"

Colt could say nothing, none of them could, and looking at the Hanna they knew they couldn't ignore them. Shaggy looked over at Crystal once again, his eyes locking with hers.

"What do we need to do?" he asked Baron.

After discussing their plans for their great escape, the visitors were given places to sleep. Crystal had volunteered her hut for Shaggy and Scooby.

"It's not much," said Crystal, "but you should be comfortable."

"Thanks," said Shaggy. "Scoob and I can share to floor no problem."

"There's no need for that," said Crystal. "There is room enough in the bed for both of us."

"Like...uh are you sure that's..."

"What?" asked Crystal.

"Well on Earth it kind of...implies something," said Shaggy, his face turning a shade red.

"You mean...relations?" asked Crystal innocently.

Shaggy merely gulped and continued to change colors.

"You're skin is changing? Are you not feeling well?" she asked.

"No it's just...yeah what you said earlier," said Shaggy. "About...relations."

"Oh...oh," said Crystal. "Don't tell me you've stopped practicing free love on Earth?"

"Well no but..."

"I suppose next you'll tell me the Beatles have gone extinct," said Crystal. "How can such a world that produces insects of such musical talent allow such a thing to happen?"

"Oh no the Beatles were a band of dudes," said Shaggy. "How'd you know about them?"

"From the broadcasts," said Crystal. "We got several instances of music from Earth."

"Groovy," said Shaggy.

"I know right?" said Crystal. "I've memorized almost ever song I've ever heard from Earth. And if those are from your past then I can only imagine the great strides you've made in music."

"Well...we have our moments," said Shaggy. "But...if you'd like once we get back to Earth and...well if..."

"What?" asked Crystal. "Will...will we not be...welcome on your world?"

"Like it's not that it's just...I can't really say," said Shaggy. "Most people on Earth aren't bad people. But they can be scared when they see something different. Something that looks like it might be something...scary."

"Do you...think I'm scary?" Crystal asked, her face incing slightly closer to Shaggy's.

"No...like, Zoinks no," said Shaggy. "You're...groovy and trust me I know scary."

"I doubt it," said Crystal. "You were very brave, saving my life as you did."

"I'm...not really brave," said Shaggy. "I've never been what you'd call the hero type. Before we came here, Scooby and I along with Fred and the girls were detectives. We'd look into all sorts of spooky things man. Like things about as ugly as that spider and that guy Bas'k'am. Only they were just...people in the end. Dressed in costume to scare people away from their crimes. They were dangerous sure but in the end they were still just people. Though when it looked like they were ghosts or monsters I...I always wanted to run."

Shaggy looked down, avoiding Crystal's eyes, and feeling true shame for the first time. He had never rejected being called a coward. At times he was even proud of it. But in front of Crystal, admitting his cowardice made him truly feel the shame that came with such a title.
He suddenly felt a gentle touch on his chin as Crystal drew his face back up to hers.

"We all feel fear," said Crystal. "Fear lets us know when we are in danger. It is only when we let that fear keep us from doing what is right that we truly become cowards. You didn't let me die, even knowing the danger posed to you. To me, that makes you a hero. And it makes me confident that you will be able to help us."

Shaggy didn't know what to say in response to Crystal's confidence in him. She herself said nothing and the two of them began to draw closer to one another.

"Crystal, we really should turn in for the night," said Amber, walking in alongside Scooby.

Shaggy and Crystal jumped slightly at the interruption, earning curious glances from their companions.

"Um...yes it has been a...challenging day," said Crystal. "As I said...there's room in the bed."

Shaggy smiled and followed Crystal's lead.

The morning featured many of the Hanna leaving to find food in the forests, their jailers asleep now. Among their number were the crew of the Sly Star One who gathered to breakfast to discuss the events of the previous night, sans Baron, Shaggy, and Scooby.

"So, we now know why we're here and just what the good Baron wanted," said Colt. "So where do we stand?"

"I say we help," said Daphne. "I mean how can we turn our backs on these people?"

"I'm inclined to agree ma'am," said Zip. "Besides, as much of an ass the Baron is he's right. I couldn't go back to Earth and have a good night sleep knowing I turned my back on these suffering souls. Or knowing that there's a murdering space slaver who just might set sights on Earth. We have to help them. Besides, how can an old space dog like me possibly give up the chance to be a debonair space hero? Eh Colt?"

"You got that right Zip," said Colt. "And the rest of you?"

"I'm in," said Shannon.

"I'm in," said Fred. "Velma?"

After resting the previous night, Velma had time to process everything. Her skepticism and her rationality colliding with all the physical evidence she had came to a head and she was forced to acknowledge and accept the truth.
She was on an alien world with actual aliens. Aliens were real, good and bad. Once that truth settled into her mind her morality came into the equation.

"I'm in," said Velma.

"What about your other two friends?" asked Colt. "Where are they anyway?"

"I think they went off with that alien girl," said Fred. "Crystal. Kind of odd they're not here. They'd never miss breakfast."

"I think that Shaggy boy's got something else on his mind," said Shannon. "You saw how she had her hands on him."

"No way," said Fred.

"Yes way," said Daphne.

"How can you be sure?" asked Fred.

"Woman's intuition," said Daphne.

"Yeah but...he's a...and she's a...I mean come on," said Fred.

"Oh come now Fred, First Contact is all about establishing relations with other peoples," said Colt. "And she is quite exotic."

Shaggy, Scooby, Crystal, and Amber had actually gone into the mountains. Crystal wanted to show him something interesting. Something she had found in her own little exploration trips in the day.
Apparently Crystal had a bit of a reputation as a meddler, not unlike Shaggy and the gang.

"I've never shown this to anyone," said Crystal. "I'm not entirely sure what it was for but maybe it can be useful for our plans."

The four of them leapt and bounded through the rocks till coming across a rather unusual sight. A carved and painted image in the side of the mountain. To Shaggy it looked like the image of a ghost.

"Like, what is it?" he asked.

"I'm not sure," said Crystal. "I think it's just a piece of art from some race that used to live on this planet before Bas'k'am made it our prison."

Shaggy looked closely at the mural and began to think. He had been on enough mysteries to know a warning when he saw one. And a potential door with a hidden lock. He walked up to the mural wall and began to feel around.

"What are you doing?" asked Crystal.

"Hold on," said Shaggy.

He eventually found a portion of wall that gave into pressure.

"Ha, like we say on Earth, 'Open Sesame'," said Shaggy as the mural opened up.

"Groovy," Crystal said in awe.

The four of them walked inside the newly opened cave, Shaggy taking the lead. As they walked lights began to flicker and advanced technology was revealed the the four explorers.

"Like wow," said Shaggy. "Look at all this stuff."

A veritable armory was displayed before them as they walked into the hidden sanctum. A ship, guns, tanks, and so much more.

"There were weapons here the whole time we were," said Crystal. "If I had known the mural was a door I would have..."

"Hey, hey, no time to fret about that now," said Shaggy, seeing how uncomfortable Crystal was becoming. "We know now and I bet the gang and the others can use this stuff to help. But...why would that Bas'k'am guy put you on the same planet he hides his stuff?"

"This isn't Bas'k'am's weaponry," said Crystal. "Trust me, I know. This must have been from before. Even he couldn't have known about it."

"So these aren't his weapons then like, whose are they?" Shaggy pondered.

The group continued onward, once again finding a door with the same marking as before. Shaggy noticed a control panel on the side of the door and began to hot wire it. Soon enough the door slid open and the foursome went inside. There they discovered a most frightening sight.
A corpse, long decayed, sitting upon what looked like a throne.
Crystal cried out and held onto Shaggy, who wrapped his arms around her. As shocked as he was, he couldn't look away from the corpse. In its fist was clutched something. As soon as Crystal calmed down the two broke apart and Shaggy went to investigate the dead body. He tore open the skeleton's fingers and took out the device. He hit what looked like a switch and it suddenly became hot. He dropped it to the ground from where sprang a holographic image.
An image of a man in a white suit and dark cowl. A black cape with a yellow interior hung from his shoulders and on his chest was the same emblem as the door. On his wrists were two bands of red with yellow switches. The man seemed quite fit if not aged.

"If you have found this then you have discovered the tomb of he who was known throughout the galaxy as...the Space Ghost," said the man's image. "I, Thaddeus Bache, the betrayed member of the Peacekeepers, an organization that once stood for truth and justice in the universe, record this message for any who find it. After so many years since the betrayal by my fellow Peacekeepers who had become corrupt and full of greed, have come to end. In spite of their betrayal I sought to continue the fight for justice in space as a ghost of what they once stood for. Others rallied behind me and I had hoped to build a new generation of Peacekeepers. But the battles, the endless battles, I no longer have the strength of body or spirit to fight on. But the fight must be fought. And so, to whoever finds this message, know that I entrust you the last armory of the Space Ghost. These weapons are powerful but I beg you do not be tempted to use them for evil. They are meant to bring an end to those who would oppress the innocent. Use them wisely, for now you who activated this message, are the new Space Ghost. Good luck, Peacekeeper."

The message cut off and the throne gave way to a hidden compartment. One which housed a display featuring the uniform they had seen the Space Ghost wear.

"Groovy," said Scooby-Doo.

Author's Note: And here is were we leave off for now. And I swear this is the last David Bowie inspired title, since this is not Mars. But now we've got the answers to why the gang was brought into space and the kinds of trouble they might expect. As well as a bit of ShaggyxCrystal development, which is going to lead to an impressive transformation for Shaggy by the time the story ends.