It was well into the afternoon when Ayjax arrived at their hotel room. He looked pissed, and Red wisely decided not to point it out. Ayjax sent Derrin to meet someone named Cairen at the docks, and that left the two of them alone.
"That meeting didn't go at all how you wanted it to, did it?"
"Of course not," Ayjax snarled.
"What did you want to happen? You didn't tell me anything," Red asked, his fingers twitching against the bed frame.
Ayjax had said nothing. Red didn't even know he was meeting Finn until Derrin mentioned the man earlier. He also hadn't been told anything about the academy by him either. Needless to say, Red was pretty irritated with Ayjax as well.
Ayjax took a long breath, "I was trying to give you a surprise. Captain Finn is the headmaster of a very good school. They'd be able to support any of your engineering projects and maybe even teach you some new stuff. It'd be the sort of thing your parents would want."
"Well, it didn't exactly help the situation with me not knowing anything now, did it. Besides, that didn't seem like something Finn was looking for…"
Ayjax glanced at him, "He gave the wrong idea because of his stupid obsession. Engineers are always sought for the academy. Someone with your skills is a treasure trove for them. But, he won't let that happen. At least not this coming year."
Red scratched his head. It seemed as if this academy was exactly the sort of environment he was looking for. Being able to make whatever he wanted, and even getting additional support, were things he needed. If he could just sit somewhere and only worry about his creations, he'd be perfectly content.
"Why not?"
Ayjax sighed, "That is a bit harder to explain. It's because you were captured by the Gearborn."
"Because I was…what! What does that have to do with anything? Besides, Derrin was as well, and he seemed happy with him," that wasn't the answer he had expected in the slightest.
Ayjax shook his head, "Captain Finn is obsessed with killing the Gearborn. That has become the most important skill for those going to the academy. Derrin has spent most of his life fighting Gearborn incursions. In Finn's book, that makes Derrin the greatest sort of person."
"Meanwhile, he just thinks that you simply allowed yourself to get captured. Obviously, you get points for escaping, but that's not enough because both Derrin and I were also there."
"How is that fair?" Red growled.
Ayjax sneered, "Nothing helps complaining about unfairness. The only way you'd be able to get into that academy would be to turn around Finn's perception of you. He actually offered just that after you left…"
"There is still a way for me to get into the academy?"
"No," his tone sharp.
"But you just said…"
"I said that Finn offered a possible solution," Ayjax cut in firmly, "He simply wanted you to go with me during our raid against the Gearborn fleet. So, no, there isn't a way for you to get into the academy because there is no way in hell that I'm allowing you to go with us. Finn should be ashamed he even offered that as an option, but of course he won't be."
Red wished he hadn't begun to feel hopeful. That offer was simply something he would not take. He had had enough of those bloody tin cans for one lifetime. It was back to square one, it seemed. Red hadn't heard anything about this license that Finn had mentioned, but it was almost starting to seem like he'd have been better off still in Wale Port.
"Then if this isn't going to work out. What now?"
Ayjax looked away, "I don't know. My last plan didn't exactly work out, but I do have a possible solution for you."
Red grunted in agreement.
"I intend to support you in whatever way I can. However, until these Gearborn are dealt with, there isn't much that I can divert my attention to. For the time being, I want to help you complete your engineering project."
"I didn't understand anything you were trying to do. Trust me, Torrent tried to explain it to me…but he seems very impressed. I have a friend who can help you out. You aren't the only one in a situation where you have the skills for the academy but aren't allowed."
"Hopefully, this guy you know is a better option than Finn…"
Ayjax laughed and finally broke the tension, "Trust me. She is exactly the person that you need. She has helped out plenty of people like you get their big break, you could say. I don't think Finn will exactly like who I have in mind, but he can screw himself."
"Uh, you're willing to say that much. Aren't you supposed to be careful about what you say about…you know…people in power?"
Ayjax shrugged, "What the hell are they gonna do about it? They've tried. Hasn't gone well for them so far."
Red was hoping that whoever this woman was…that she'd actually be of help. He trusted Ayjax, but that wasn't enough to put his faith in him. After all, you could trust someone and still expect them to fail. That's what he had come to expect about Derrin's food recommendations.
"Is she here? At The Fallen Isles, I mean?"
"Normally, yes. But right now she's away. I plan on sending you there tomorrow. Things are going to get a bit hectic with everyone hunting down the Gearborn, and I want you out. It's only a day's journey to the island she's on."
"Great…" Red muttered, "More sailing."
"If that's really how you feel, then I'm sorry, but you were born in the wrong universe, kid."
"It's not like I hate it or anything. It's just, damn, after so long staring at teal waves, I just want to enjoy the flat ground."
"Things only get worse from here."
"That doesn't sound ominous at all."
Ayjax rose, "I need to go. I still have a lot of wrangling to do before I leave tonight, so I won't be seeing you again for a few weeks. As for tomorrow, Derrin already knows. You'll be catching a ride with a different crew to the island, so don't be late."
"Thanks. I appreciate it," Red said honestly.
"Not going to offer me any luck?"
"Uh, good luck, I guess. Don't die," Red shrugged.
Ayjax glared at him, "Really, Red. Don't die. What a way to jinx the trip."
"Please," He waved his hand, "If a jinx can stop you, then we're all doomed."
Ayjax sniffed, "True. You're all lucky to have me."
"I'm never giving you another compliment."