From 800 years in the future, a runcible gate is opened into the Polity. Those coming through it have been tasked with taking the alien 'Maker' back to its home civilization in the Small Magellanic cloud.
From 800 years in the future, a portal is opened to the Polity. Those passing through it have been assigned the task of retrieving the alien 'Maker' and returning it to its home civilization in the Small Magellanic cloud.