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Jacen's spirits were rising too, not only because he enjoyed doing something useful during a flight, but also because Tenel Ka was there working beside him. And because they had found a solid lead as to Anja's whereabouts.

"Jacen, my friend, did you not say you knew someone who could assist us on Mon Calamari?" Tenel Ka said once they were well under way.

"Right. Her name is Ambassador Cilghal. Guess I ought to send her a message to see if she's there right now and if she has time to work with us."

"Cilghal?" Zekk said. "Didn't she used to be a student of Master Skywalker's, back in the early days of the academy?"

Tenel Ka looked interested. "She is a Jedi and an Ambassador?"

"Yeah. A Jedi healer and an Ambassador. The only one that I've heard of, so far," Jacen said. "But Cilghal is so quiet and gentle, you'd never know she has all that power." For the next few minutes he busied himself sending a communiqud that explained their current mission and requested Cilghal's help. Moments after the Rock Dragon dropped out of hyperspace into the Calamari system, they received the Ambassador's answer.

According to the message, it would be Ambassador Cilghal's greatest pleasure to assist them, and she had already begun making inquiries about recent arrivals on the planet to track down the Lightning Rod.

She had also set up the appropriate clearances and approvals for the Rock Dragon to have a berth in the V.I.P docking section near her offices on Foamwander City for as many days as the young Jedi Knights might need it.

Tenel Ka looked impressed. "It would seem that Ambassador Cilghal is most efficient."

A lopsided grin brightened Jacen's face. "Yeah, she thinks of everything.

"

"Good," Zekk said. "You think there's any chance she'll have the Lightning Rod waiting for us by the time we land?"

Jacen rolled his eyes. "Even I'm not that optimistic."

Tenel Ka reached over to pat Zekk on the shoulder with her single hand.

"It is important to keep one's hopes up."

In less than an hour, the Rock Dragon was docked in the V.I.P area of Cilghal's beautiful floating metropolis of Foamwander City. The Ambassador herself met them as they disembarked from the small Hapan passenger cruiser on one of the mist-dampened upper decks. Jacen made the introductions, and the female Calamarian greeted him and his friends with all the warmth of a proud aunt.

Cilghal was a gentle-voiced member of the fishlike race that also included the famous Admiral Ackbar. She wore watery blue robes that seemed to ripple and change color like the tides of the sea. Her blunt, salmon-colored head was streaked with a flush of pale green.

She raised a massive flipperlike hand in greeting.

With the formalities over, Cilghal led them to a beautiful private dining area. Handing each of them a datapad into which the week's arrivals from off-planet had been downloaded, she excused herself and ordered them all some food: salted fish, seaweed rolls, and something moist and delicious that they plucked out of scrolled shells.

Before they had finished their midday meal, the young Jedi Knights had tracked down not only the point and time of Anja's arrival, but also the city to which she had moved herself and the Lightning Rod the evening before. The location was far to the north, in the ice-choked waters of the arctic circle.

"Crystal Reef!" Cilghal said with surprise when they showed her their findings. "A vacation resort reserved only for the wealthy and elite.

If you wish to go there, I had better get to work immediately.

Everybody wants to go to Crystal Reef, and even the planet's Ambassador to the New Republic doesn't necessarily get preferential treatment. "

Three hours later, they found themselves at Foamwander City's water docks with all arrangements made for their trip north to Crystal Reef.

The three young Jedi walked behind Cilghal as she led them to her waveskimmer.

"Most efficient," Tenel Ka stated again with obvious approval, looking at the Ambassador and her sleek watercraft.

Cilghal crossed the gangplank,