A/N: From the story so far, the "sci-fi" label on the description probably looks pretty bizarre. Let me just tell anyone who has been following patiently that here is where that label comes into play. The next chapter goes more into that and (I believe) is the longest chapter so far, so sit tight!

Chapter 5:

The Mystery Machine pulled up in front of a one-story house and stopped. Freddie was about to climb out and knock on the door when Velma walked out, clearly ready, and Daphne ran out, clearly not. They were sharing a house for economic reasons (mostly on Velma's part; despite having won many scholarships, a Yale education isn't cheap for anyone), and it was fortunate, because without Velma there to wake her up Daphne probably still would have been asleep.

For a change, Velma actually looked better than Daphne this morning, although it had less to do with a sense of fashion and more to do with the fact that she was lively, bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. Daphne, on the other hand, was trying to brush her hair with one hand and eat the yogurt she had snagged as a quick breakfast with the other. She clutched a makeup kit under her arm, clearly intent on applying it on the road. The harried girl climbed into the front seat next to Freddie, while Velma piled into the back with Shaggy and Scooby, who like Daphne were a total mess but unlike Daphne weren't trying to improve the situation.

"Hey Daphne," Fred told her, trying to be cheerful. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine, Freddie," Daphne responded moodily, trying not to spill her yogurt as the van swung around a curve.

"Are you sure? Because I can-"

"Freddie- I said I am fine." Fred caught a glimpse in the rearview mirror of Velma shaking her head. Daphne certainly didn't look fine. Morning sickness paired with a rickety old van had turned her face as green as Shaggy's shirt.

"Look, I can roll down the window if-"

"Freddie! It's March!" came three cries from the back seat (okay, so one of the cries sounded more like "Reddie! Rit's Rarch!" but you get the idea). Daphne, however, seemed appreciative despite her moodiness, and within minutes her green color and nausea had subsided, as well as her frustration.

"So what do the rest of you guys think our job's going to be like?" she asked, now through with her yogurt and attempting to neatly apply mascara in spite of the periodic jolt of the vehicle.

"Well, like, we can find out in just a few minutes," Shaggy pointed out, shivering in the window's breeze. "Look, there's the CCC."

Don't remind me, thought Daphne, trying faster to do a decent job on the makeup. She gave up, accepted the way it looked now, and followed the others out of the van.

They were greeted by a short, bald man whose nametag read "Jacques Mangetout." "Greetings," he told them. "You must be Mystery, Inc. Welcome. After reading about your work around the globe, it is an honor to have you here at the Coolsville Communication Center."

"So, like, what are we supposed to be doing here?" Shaggy asked, wondering why a communication center would have any need for mystery solvers.

"That I cannot tell you, at least not outside. You understand that security is very strict around here for a reason. You are to be given full clearance, with the understanding that you will reveal this to no one." He seemed very serious on that point. He started walking towards a set of double doors, and the gang followed him.

"You should understand that the CCC was given a name that is intentionally vague, because details of our program are guarded national secrets. Ah, here we are." They had passed through the doors and into a small lobby, with walls painted paled lavender and small palm trees in the corners.

"Now that we're in here, I can tell you. This room is secure. Ordinarily you need a retinal scan to be allowed in; you were able to enter only because I punched in the code to deactivate the doors for five seconds." He pulled a small remote out of his pocket. "Later today we will need to record your images so tomorrow you can get in on your own. But first let me explain to you what you will be doing."

Finally, everyone said to him- or herself.

"Basically I need you kids to do what you've been doing for years- solving mysteries. Only this isn't something I expect you to do within hours… this is a regular job. The mysteries never cease when you're working with aliens."