SOTS never explicitly stated it, no, but they were supposed to be initially collecting Maelstromnium from various sources for none other than Flumberfluff Tiberius. Their collaboration with Grace here should just about confirm this.
Given that Cailan and Crimson were always together in SOTS they probably had one Manipulator or a similar device.
Teenyweeny Tiberius isn't supposed to know Grace, he just called her another girl. But the man has mysteries.
Rowana's arc here (so far) is before the events of Transdimensional Maneuvers by a month or two.