The roof of the History Museum Complex of Southern California was vast, a sprawling expanse of steel girders and glass panels that stretched out in every direction. Moonlight filtered through the windows, casting long, dancing shadows across the polished concrete floor. An acidic odor of fresh paint filled the air, along with the hum of the freeways in the distance.

Crouched upon it, barely visible because of her dark clothing, was Amanda Smart. She fidgeted with a small, golden Ankh she wore around her neck and down to her sternum. The roof had an uncomfortable grit on the balls of her feet that made her wish she had her boots with her instead of her black workout sneakers. She hid her pink, unruly cascade of Harajuku-style streaks beneath a black beanie.

“You’re not just a pretty face, Amanda. You got this.” A mantra she often repeated when nerves got the better of her. Tonight, the mantra seemed to echo through the vast space, a stark contrast to the usual bustling city streets below. She clutched at a leather jacket that wasn’t present. Another misstep on her part.

Amanda closed her eyes, then after a beat exhaled a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry Doc, I just can’t sense the security system.” She said, using telepathy. The golden ghost of Doctor Howard Douglas floated beside her, his eyes closed, as if he were trying to tune into something.

“Perhaps they magically shielded it?” Amanda waited for a reply, but the astral projection of Dr. Douglas was silent. His brow furrowed in concentration.

She turned her attention back to the roof. Despite the clarity of the night sky, it remained starless. The city lights below cast an ethereal glow over everything, creating a surreal atmosphere that reminded Amanda she was in the heart of a bustling metropolis.

Amanda shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. Focus was what she needed. She reached up, feeling the cool metal of the Ankh against her fingers, a reassuring presence. Its golden surface glimmered in the moonlight. She glanced at the doctor. His golden form flickered, as if struggling to maintain his manifestation.

“Doc?” she asked, a soft concern lacing her voice.

The doctor’s eyes snapped open, his gaze meeting hers. “I’m here, Amanda. And... I’m in. We now have full access to the security system and information on all the exhibits inside.”

Amanda nodded, with a sigh of disappointment, “Why could you do that, but I couldn’t?” she asked, speaking rather than using telepathy with the Doctor, a habit she was trying to break, as she had already received stares and raised eyebrows from other students at the college she attended.

“Well, they are my powers. I am far more experienced with them, far more... creative with them. With time and practice, you will too.” Dr. Howard Douglas reassured her, his voice steady.

Amanda nodded, taking a deep breath to steady her nerves. “Alright, let’s do this. What do we know? There have already been several break-ins at exhibits and jewelry stores around town. The police have posted extra patrolmen at other museums and stores.” She recounted, using telepathy once again, as she opened the skylight in front of her and leaped in.

The golden Ankh glowed as Amanda descended, floating. She outstretched her arms and legs like a starfish. As she landed gently on a nearby workbench, the Ankh’s glow faded.

“Good!” Dr. Douglas praised Amanda’s use of telekinesis as much as her recounting. “Which means?” His voice trailing off, encouraging Amanda to think through the situation.

Amanda spent a moment considering her next words, “Which means the police and security spread themselves too thin. Exactly what the thief wanted. They could steal what they wanted with as little resistance as possible.”

The doctor nodded with approval. “Exactly, Amanda. This is what you do. You observe, you gather information, you analyze, and then you act.”

As Dr. Douglas continued his telepathic access to the museum’s systems, he shared that access with Amanda. Exhibit security and history data filled her thoughts. The surrounding history awed her as she navigated the twisting corridors. Each exhibit testified to the past. But Amanda’s focus was on the present and the threats posed to them.

Amanda paused in front of a massive exhibit. The dinosaur halls were still under construction, with scaffolding and tarps covering some exhibits. The dim light from the emergency exit signs cast eerie shadows, making the dinosaur skeletons appear as if they were about to come to life and rampage through the museum.

“So, what does the thief want?” Amanda asked in a whisper. She could feel the weight of the Ankh, its gold surface warm against her skin, its power pulsing beneath her fingertips.

“I imagine the thief will want whatever is most valuable,” Dr. Douglas said, his voice thoughtful. “I’d suggest going to the exhibit hall housing the most valuable artifact.”

Amanda’s eyes narrowed in concentration. She glanced rapidly from one exhibit to the next. As she did, she analyzed the information she received from Dr. Douglas. Her eyes widened as she suddenly understood. “The Ruby Scarab Heart!” she gasped aloud.

“Yes, yes! Very good, Amanda! And why? What’s the connection to the previous heists?” Dr. Douglas praised, his voice tinged with a mix of pride and urgency. “Think.”

Amanda nodded. She crept through the museum as she recalled the details of the previous heists. “The Ruby Scarab Heart is a gold scarab heart containing a ruby. And... and the previous heists all targeted high-value, unique jewelry pieces. Each one had a distinctive gemstone at its center.”

The Doctor’s voice, soft but insistent, guided her. “Exactly, Amanda. The gemstones connect the thefts. And while the Ruby Scarab Heart is valuable, it’s the ruby inside that’s the true prize. The thief is after the ruby, Amanda. That is the common thread.”

Amanda’s eyes widened as she realized the implications. “So, we’re looking for someone who wants the ruby? But why? What could they possibly want it?”

“Money, of course. But, perhaps they have a use for the gem,” Dr. Douglas shrugged thoughtfully. “I don’t pretend to understand this thief’s motivations, but in my experience, it’s usually one of those two I mentioned.”

Amanda nodded, her mind racing as she tried to piece together the puzzle. “And the Police either don’t know, or it’s not their strength. Their strength is manpower, but it’s left the Ruby Scarab Heart vulnerable. Only we stand in his way.” Amanda’s voice carried a determination that resonated through the cavernous museum halls.

Crouching on a scaffolding in the closed Dinosaur Exhibit, her fit body taut, Amanda surveyed the exhibits below. The Ruby Scarab Heart, now positioned in a glass case surrounded by spotlights, gleamed like a beacon in the dim hall. The air was thick with tension, the quiet punctuated only by the distant hum of machinery and the soft rustle of her movements.

“I can feel it, the Ruby Scarab Heart, in my hand, with the Telekinesis.” Amanda said with telepathy. “So tempting to just grab it and run. No, we have another purpose. We need to wait, to observe, to understand the situation.” She hesitated, her fingers twitching, as if the Ankh guided her actions.

“You’re doing well, Amanda. Be patient. The thief will make their move soon enough,” Dr. Douglas said as she prepared for the showdown.

Amanda took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves. “This closed dinosaur exhibit is the perfect spot to watch the Ruby Scarab Heart exhibit. We have a good view of the entire exhibit hall, and the scaffolding provides ample cover. It’s just perfect.” She said aloud.

An enormous hand encased in a black leather glove enveloped Amanda’s shoulder. “It is perfect.” The voice, low and gravelly, revealed its age. Amanda tensed, her heart pounding in her chest as she turned to face the intruder.

A giant-like man stood before her. He was tall, his body broad and muscular, and his eyes gleamed with a fierce intensity. He had short blonde hair, and a thick scar ran down the side of his face, disappearing into his neck beneath the collar of a leather catsuit.

Amanda’s eyes widened as she took in the sight of him, her mind racing to place him. “You’re...” she started, before the giant of a man threw her.