"He-Hello? Can you hear me?" The voice asked once. A second time -
"Ixion? Can you hear me? It's Captain Girda Starhopper of the Aethership
Starhopper." Eager to respond, Ixion did just that - making his way to
the Aethership docked at the Aetherplex, Kalas Ixion discovered a
special invitation, specifically for him, from Newt Blasterson of the
Facility. Within, the Magnagoran - known throughout all of aetherspace
for his various deeds and misdeeds within the pockets of reality known
as aetherbubbles - found a polite request for assistance with tracking
down the criminal syndicate, the Gnafia, after their recent problems.
Eager to assist, Ixion set to work.

However, something went awry - and Newt's request was disregarded.
Instead, rumours began to spread of a new ally of the Gnafia, moving
from bubble to bubble, aiding them in their plots, plans and maneuvers.
The means by which it came to pass vary, and in truth, with every
telling the story goes - such is the way of gnomes - but it is said one
from the Basin of Life has assisted the Gnafia in constructing a machine
of an unknown design and equally mysterious intention, and won their
trust. Even now, the name of Kalas Ixion, Scourge of the Aetherways, is
a name all gnomes know - a powerful ally of the similarly powerful
Gnafia, and no friend of those who would stand against the Gnafia and
their budding alliances.

To what ends the machine works, none know, save the infamous Doc
Snapfuse and the Gnodfather himself - and what might one such as Kalas
Ixion gain from such infamy? And what price did the deep-pocketed,
wealthy Gnafia haggle such loyalty for?

Penned by My hand on the 8th of Klangiary, in the year 285 CE.