The year is 1899. The Earth and the red planet Mars approach each other in the heavens.

Her Majesty Queen Victoria and the Royal Interplanetary Society hereby announces and declares Sponsorship of The Lunar Ellipse; namely a Race open to teams of Competitors from all the lands of the British Empire and other Civilized Nations.

All Competitors shall present themselves and their Vessels at Singapore Royal Aerospace Base on 23rd September, in honour of the First Ascent of a Man-Made Object into Orbit. The route shall take the Travellers to the Moon, Mars, Phobos, Deimos, the Asteroid Vesta, and back again. Competitors shall present themselves to duly-appointed Representatives of Her Majesty at twelve points en route, collecting at each point an Official Token. The first Team to land safely at the final point, the Mombasa Royal Aerospace Base on Earth, shall be proclaimed the Victor.

Each member of the Victorious Team shall be awarded a prize of £1000, a Peerage of the British Empire, Life Membership in the Royal Interplanetary Society, and a Private Audience with Her Majesty.

Her Majesty's Government shall obtain and procure all necessary Visas, Traveller's Documents, &c., for Competitors in the Lunar Ellipse. Competitors who are not Her Majesty's subjects must petition their respective Governments for Current and Valid Passports.

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