The morning sea lay mirror-still until a colossal rubber duck, guided by a brass-and-sprocket homunculus, heaved itself over the waves. Atop its wobbling back stood a pint-sized gnome with bubblegum-pink tresses.

>Behold! Aquadux Maximus, my trans-oceanic paddle-beast, powered by ætheric calculus and midnight oil! Tell the world the tides belong to Lady Quillwhistle now!

With a triumphant squeaky honk and a spray of saltwater, she bobbed off into the mist, leaving the crewmates of the nearby ship pondering if they had glimpsed madness or marvel.