In 1896 (in a revisionist history where mankind has developed spaceflight roughly 100 years early), the maiden voyage of the British spaceliner, HMS Daedalus set to carry the first contingent of Royal investors to Mars. The mission is to christen a permanent mining colony the Ares Britannia, on the Martian moon, Phobos and return laden with metal ore. The royal party is accompanied by Gavin Crossland, the architect/engineer who led the development team, and other representatives from Tyneside Spaceyardes is the company responsible for developing both the liner and the mining colony. Among the Royals is also Sir Archdale Wilson, a venerated man of the Empire and his attachZ, Naik Thapa, his Gurkha companion. The group traveling to Mars completes the long journey but things are not what they expect when they arrive. The Miners have taken control and will only be satisfied if the offending builders are brought to justice and some assurance given that the offenses wonOt recur.