Sergeant Adel is able to pilot the descending airship over the guard towers of the refugee camp, avoiding the risk of a crash. Staff Sergeant Arion tells Commissar Niklet to guard the bridge while he and several other troopers head back into the ship to try and assist Lady Commissar Cedercreuz as she fends off Eldar encroaching on the stateroom. The airship suddenly shudders as something causes it some damage below decks, but Adel is able to compensate for the decrease in control. He gets on the vox and calls up command HQ to report in about the situation ask for assistance. He is told that there has been an outbreak of Tyranids from the ruins of the Ardent Crown that requires the attention of the Guardsmen, meaning that it will take some time for any kind of help to arrive. The vox operator suggests that Adel try and land at the refugee camp he just passed, noting that it has a platoon of the 99th Cadian guarding it.

Cedercreuz finds herself standing alone against a Kabalite warrior who breaks into the room where she has sheltered several important citizens of the Imperium. The two exchange fire with their ranged weapons in close quarters, then get locked in melee combat. Arion and his supporting troopers shoot it out with another Dark Eldar in the bowels of the airship, using a brace of cannons in the room as cover. Adel is able to turn the airship around and land it in the midst of the refugee camp, then grabs his weapon to join the battle to save the VIPs. The two Eldar fall to Alpha Squad, with Staff Sergeant Arion's chainsword slicing through the arm of the one who reached the stateroom.

Colonel Giancaspro of the 17th Scintillan Fusiliers arrives in the stateroom with some of his troopers and attempts to claim the glory for saving the noble and important guests inside. He and Colonel Veerv of the Chrysopeleans almost get into a fight over this, nearly resulting in a formal duel, but Colonel Arkat of the Cadian regiment is able to break them up and angrily orders the two regiments to split up – the Scintillans will remain aboard the airship to protect Lady Caligari and her guests while the Schola Progenium drop troops will go outside and provide security for the exterior.

Confessor Blochberger decides that he and his retinue of acolytes will tour the refugee camp and attempt to exhort the people there to help purge Solace of any heretics still within the ruined Hive or its vicinity. He will have Alpha as his personal escort during his visit, but Cedercreuz speaks to Lieutenant Kravos to request an assignment to Lady Caligari's retinue. The Lady Commissar and the Guard officer speak confidentially about Veerv's recommendation for Cedercreuz's promotion to the rare rank of Commissar-Captain. Kravos warns her that Niklet is not pleased with the suggestion and will likely do everything in his power to make the review process difficult. Kravos also says he'll speak to Veerv about getting her seconded to Lady Caligari, and she goes to speak with Alpha about their new assignment.

While passing the orders to Arion, she and he discuss the apparent absence of Scintillan forces during the fight to save Lady Caligari and protect the bridge, pondering the cause for this. Cedercreuz gets word that her request has been approved and decides to go speak with Kravos about this matter. Darrien sneakily shows Arion some hats he took from dead Scintillans, joking about using them for target practice.

As Alpha gets ready to escort the Confessor, Commissar Niklet appears and says that in the Lady Commissar's absence he has been assigned to go with them.