Two months have passed since the catastrophic crash of the Ardent Crown into Hive Solace. Alpha Squad has received several honors for their heroic deeds on that day, and they have been folded into the Command Squad of 1st Platoon. Rumor has spread of their achievements throughout the Imperial Guard, and word has it that Lady Commissar Cedercreuz may be up for a rare promotion to the rank of Commissar-Captain.

Alpha is awoken by Sergeant First Class Iltzch and told that they are to get their dress uniforms on for a special assignment. The squad scrambles to get dressed and Cedercreuz and Arion make sure that the troopers are up to inspection standards. They meet with Lieutenant Kravos and Commissar Niklet in the motor pool of the Guard camp, hopping on board their Tauros as it drives toward their destination. The squad learns that it has been requested to join Colonel Veerv, the Regiment's commanding officer, and attend a special meeting of command officers with a visiting contingent of nobles and priests who have come to view Solace. The meeting is take place on a luxury airship owned by the Contessa Jenette Caligari, the host of the convocation and a member of House Caligari from the world of Scintilla.

There is bad blood between the Scintillan Fusiliers and the 1st Aerial Assault following the Fusiliers refusal to come to the airborne unit's aid during one of their first engagements. Despite this, Lady Commissar Cedercreuz and Commissar Niklet warn the officers and troopers of Chrysopelea to be on their best behavior and not get into any fights with the Scintillans. Boarding the airship, the Thunderhead, the squad sets up positions around the central ballroom and observation deck as the noble guests question the soldiers about the crash of the Ardent Cruiser. Lady Commissar Cedercreuz speaks at length with the Contessa as Alpha Squad has been assigned to protect her during the visit. Also attending are Cardinal Carinus, the governor and spiritual leader for Solace, and Confessor Blochberger, a religious official tasked with stirring up the populace to help root out any remnants of Chaos cultists in their midst.

There is tension between the Chrysopeleans and the Scintillans, but Staff Sergeant Arion helps to prevent an incident from breaking out after one of the Fusiliers attempts to jostle a drink being held by the alcoholic Corporal Isabella. As the Confessor is railing against heretics, however, Alpha Squad spots signs of an approaching vessel skimming above the area around the ruined Hive city. It turns out to be a raiding party of Dark Eldar, which begin boarding the airship and attempting to capture some choice prisoners from among the noble guests.

The Kabbalite warriors crash into the bridge and observation deck, engaging the Imperial Guard troopers in close combat with their deadly and toxic assortment of weapons. The Contessa and several other nobles are hurried away upstairs by the Lady Commissar while other members of the squad fight a hideous creature called a Wrack in the bridge. Cedercreuz and the cluster of terrified nobles hide in the master bedroom suite as more of the Eldar encroach on their position. Sergeant Adel goes to take the helm of the airship, seeing that it has drifted close to land is now in danger of crashing into a refugee camp!