The next day, everyone skipped school so that they could go to the Royal Ontario Museum. Dirk Speedblood drove everyone in his Civic, but he was puzzled. What could a museum possibly have that could determine the fate of the world? Dirk Speedblood almost hoped that Han was exaggerating. But a part of him, a bigger part, was filled with the desire to prove his worth. He could save the world. He knew he could. But how?
Dom and Han weren't saying anything about why it was so important. "Krystal Kimiko is the most important part of this," Han had said mysteriously.
As they walked into the museum, Dirk Speedblood glanced up at the advertisements for the new Japanese exhibit that the museum had. Suddenly, one of the banners caught his eye. On it was a katana of such incredible beauty that he almost cried. It was perfect, the blade a gleaming thread of steel balanced by a white hilt with a silver end cap shaped like the head of a wolf. "You have excellent taste, my young friend," a voice said over his shoulder.
Dirk Speedblood jerked in surprise. How had someone been able to sneak up on him? His hearing was far too good for anyone to be able to manage it. It was part of what made him such a formidable racer. Had he been so distracted by the picture of the sword that he had failed to notice the man, or was the man that stealthy? Or perhaps it was a combination of both. Dirk Speedblood knew that this would be a man he would have to watch. "That sword is called Urufu no Moru. It means—"
"Wolf's fang in Japanese," Dirk Speedblood interrupted.
"Oh, so you speak Japanese, do you? Truly, you are a most intriguing young man… Dirk Speedblood."
Dirk Speedblood was shocked. Who was this man, and how did he know so much? The mystery was threatening to consume him when suddenly an answer appeared.
"Outo-san! I see you have met my friend," said Krystal Kimiko.
Dirk Speedblood felt everything slip into place. This man was Krystal Kimiko's father! It seemed extremely unusual that he would also happen to be at the museum—unless it was what Han had meant when he said that Krystal Kimiko was the key to what they were planning. The only question was, how did he fit into their plan? Would he be their ally or their enemy?
While Dirk Speedblood had his revelation, Dom was already chatting up Krystal Kimiko's father, expertly extracting information without giving anything away. He learned that her father, Kitami, was in charge of the security for the new Japanese exhibit. "And it is a very difficult job," said Kitami, "Already, someone has offered me 10 billion American dollars to give them the jewel of our collection!"
He laughed, "I said no, of course. But take a look for yourself. What do you think?"
They had stopped in front of a display case that had a large golden gem inside of it. It was about the size of an egg, if eggs were the size of softballs, and was exquisitely carved with dragons and cherry blossom patterns. Han gasped, "That's a piece of pure Orichalcum! A gem that big could be used to build a bomb that could blow up the entire planet!"
"That's right," said Dom, "Or it could be used to make a car go faster than the speed of sound. Nothing is inherently good or bad. It's all about what you do with it."
"Someone offered you ten billion American dollars for this?" Maxx Speedblood laughed. "Who was it, some kind of terrorist?"
"I am afraid so. Have you ever heard of Die Stein-Ring?"
"Of course," said Krystal Kimiko, "They're a group of German terrorists, led by the mysterious Otto Mustermann. Was he the one who wanted to buy it?"
"I believe so," said Kitami. "Of course, I could never allow it to fall into their hands. There is no question that they would use it to destroy the planet!"
"But think of what you could do with ten billion American dollars!" laughed Maxx Speedblood, "Surely you must be at least a little tempted?"
Kitami smiled. "There is more to life than money, my young friend. There is family. My Krystal Kimiko is more precious to me than gems or any amount of money."
Dirk Speedblood was sure that all of his companions would agree with the idea that family was more important than money. He knew in his heart that none of them would ever betray the others, especially for something as worthless as money. As he mused over this thought, Kitami suddenly interrupted to introduce a man.
"Ah, Mr. Merke! Please, you must meet my daughter."
Mr. Merke was a tall, thin man with a face so wrinkled and pock-marked that he looked like Danny Trejo had been mummified…poorly. "You must be Krystal Kimiko," he said with a smile.
His voice had a strange accent that Dirk Speedblood couldn't place. "I'm Janusz Merke. I'm the head of Stonehenge Investments. We've donated a little money to this exhibit."
"You are too modest!" Kitami laughed, "Stonehenge Investments is our largest contributor by far—larger than all the others put together!"
"You flatter me," said Mr. Merke, "But you must be so proud of your daughter. And this fine young lad—is he your boyfriend?" he asked, gesturing at Dirk Speedblood.
Krystal Kimiko laughed, "Speedy D is like a nii-san to me!"
"Nissan? But we came here in a Honda!" laughed Maxx Speedblood.
"No, baka. It means brother!" said Krystal Kimiko.
Dirk Speedblood couldn't have been more crushed if he had been sandwiched between two stars. Krystal Kimiko thought of him like a brother? He didn't understand how she couldn't see the depth of his love.
"Mr. Merke and I have a lot to discuss. Why don't you go now?" said Kitami.
They walked out of the museum, Dirk Speedblood still in stunned silence about the revelation that he had just had. They got into his Civic and drove off.
"OK everyone," said Dom, "I think it's time to explain what we have to do. Our job is to steal the Orichalcum to make sure that Die Stein-Ring can't. Now let's go over what everyone's going to do."
"Hey guys, we've got some company," Han suddenly interrupted, pointing behind the Civic.
There were 3 black BMW M3 sedans with blacked-out windows following. "BMWs? No problem," said Dirk Speedblood, his confidence restored now that he was back in his element behind the wheel of his beloved Civic. He knew he could easily beat them in a street race.
"Don't you get it?" said Han, "BMWs are German and so is Otto Mustermann and Die Stein-Ring!"
Suddenly men popped out of the windows of the BMWs and started shooting at them! "Dirk Speedblood, you drive and I'll hold them off!" Dom cried, whipping out a handgun and leaning out the passenger window.
Dirk Speedblood knew that this would be a race unlike any other because the loser would be dead. What he didn't know was at that very moment, there was another problem for him developing.
At the school, the headmaster was fuming to his cronies. "I just know that Dirk Speedblood and that new exchange student Hans Gruber are up to no good!"
"But they've been excused for the day by Mr. Doretto," his lackey said.
"Then he's in on it too! And I'll defiantly catch them, you have my word!"