Introduction

[New Mecca]

Jack rolled onto her back and threw her hands over her ears. Eyes boring holes into the plaster roof above her, she pressed harder against her head to block out the sounds around her.

It seemed, to Jack, that all anyone ever did on this planet was chant. Chants for good fortune. Chants for healing. Chants before breakfast and after.

Iman never asked Jack to join in his worship, but occasionally she would, because, she thought, it beats staring at this god-damn wall and thinking of the many ways I hope Riddick is being slowly disembowelled at this very moment.

"If only he had taken me with him." She said, sadness colouring her voice. "Then if he got tired of me he could have dumped me on a more exciting planet. Maybe a moon-base. Somewhere where chanting is forbidden." Jack smirked at this thought. "Io or Brani. Gamat 12 even. Beaches that go forever. Mmm."

She tossed and turned, her restlessness growing with every moment she was planet bound. There were so many places she had hoped to visit before THAT planet had put its spanner in the works.

Jack sprang to her feet, a solution popping into her thoughts. "I'm no prisoner. I'm here of my own free will, so I can leave of my own free will! I have credits! Papers! I could get a berth on a transport, I -"

"Where will you go?"

Jack jumped surprise, her face flushing from the embarrassment of being caught conspiring with herself. She hadn't even heard Iman enter the shanty, let alone her own room.

"I, uh -" Jack stuttered before plucking the first planet name she could think of out of her head, "Keratan Three." She cringed, giving herself an imaginary kick in the shins. Iman would never approve her flight plan'.

Sighing, Iman entered the room and perched on the edge of Jack's bed. "What would you do on this Keratan Three? Who will look after you? Wha - "

"Who will look after me? Me? Need I remind you that I am quite capable of looking after myself? I'm not some helpless kid and I've certainly seen more than any other kid my age has." In her mind Jack kicked herself again. Kid. Now I've gone and given him ammunition.

Iman seized the opportunity Jack had given him. "Yes Jack, you are a kid. A young teenage girl and a place like Keratan Three is no place for you, or any young girl for that matter. You are sheltered here. Fed here. And loved here. Perhaps you would consider all the benefits you could reap from staying. You have many years left for exploring the galaxy. Why not wait until you are in a better position to do so?"

"I can't wait, Iman. I know that you have done heaps for me and I'm forever grateful to you. But I don't fit in here." She said.

Iman opened his mouth to speak, but Jack cut him off.

"And don't tell me that I'm not trying. I've done the chanting. I've gone to the school. But the things those kids do there, the stuff they talk about, I have no interest in it. I can't stay here any more." She sat on the bed next to him. "Please don't make me stay here."

Iman was silent, a thoughtful look on his care worn face. "I know that it has been difficult for you Jack," he began softly, "but I ask that you take a little time before making such an important decision. I know that I can't make you stay, but I would ask that you think first. Please." Standing, Iman placed his hand on Jack's shoulder and gave it a supportive squeeze. He left the without another word.

Jack remained frozen until the sounds of Iman's footsteps faded. Once the quiet settled back into the house she sprung into action, gathering her possessions into a carryall.

"I've thought enough." She declared. "And lucky for me there's outbound transports every fifteen hours or so, which means the next one is in two hours."

Standing at the door, Jack looked back at the small room that had become hers after arriving on the planet. Iman had looked after her well, had done a better job than Riddick, who had fled the planet as soon as she was settled. At least Iman wanted her around.

Jack's cheeks flushed with shame. Iman deserved a good bye, a letter at least - he was one of the most giving people she knew. Correction. The only giving person she knew.

Stalking to her bed, Jack pulled paper and pen from the night table and scrawled a short note and placed it on the pillow. Then before she could change her mind, she crept through the shanty and out the door, never once looking back, only forward, to the adventures that she would find on her travels. The last remnants of guilt fading to the back of her mind, she began to jog towards the spaceport, wanderlust singing in her veins.

"Next stop Keratan Three!"