Nessie dreams of soaring through the skies as captain of her own Aerial Vessel. Unfortunately, her parents believe that a girl's place is at home - and nowhere near airships. But when an estranged uncle arrives in Aetherland Isle, Nessie's life changes forever. Mysterious accidents plague the family, and, in a moment of rebellion, Nessie stows away on her father's ship. She learns very quickly that when adventure finds her, it isn't nearly as marvelous as she'd always hoped, for she learns that her family is in mortal danger, and Nessie herself will soon be in the hands of nefarious sky pirates aboard their airship, the Obsidian Star...