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. The air was thick with the scent of fresh paint and the faint hum of machinery. Crouched on it, barely visible because of her clothing, was Amanda Smart, fidgeting with a small, golden Ankh that hung around her neck down to her sternum.

The roof had an extremely uncomfortable grit on the balls of her feet that made her wish she had her boots with her instead of her black workout sneakers. A black beanie hid her pink hair, an unruly cascade of Harajuku style streaks.

“You’re not just a pretty face, Amanda. You’re smart, too,” she whispered to herself, a mantra she often repeated when nerves got the better of her. Tonight, the mantra echoed through the vast space, a stark contrast to the usual bustling city streets below.

She studied the security measures. The museum’s layout was a labyrinth of exhibits, each more impressive than the last. But Amanda wasn’t here for the history lesson.

“I’m sorry Doc, I just can’t sense the security system.” She communicated telepathically. The golden ghost of Doctor Howard Douglas floated beside her, his eyes closed, as if he were trying to tune into something. “The place is silent, Doc. Maybe a magical shield?”

Amanda waited for a reply, but Dr. Douglas was also silent, his brow furrowed in concentration. She turned her attention back to the roof. The night sky was clear, the stars twinkling like diamonds against the velvet canopy. The city lights below cast an ethereal glow over everything, creating a surreal atmosphere that made it hard to believe she was in the heart of a bustling metropolis.

Amanda shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts and focus. Using her reflection in the skylight, she reached up, adjusting the black beanie that concealed her pink hair. She could feel the cool metal of the Ankh against her fingers, a reassuring presence. Its golden surface glimmered in the moonlight, a stark contrast to her dark attire and the night sky. She glanced at the doctor, his golden form flickering slightly, as if struggling to maintain his manifestation.

“Doc?” she asked softly, 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. It was 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. But so will you be, with time and practice.” Dr. Howard Douglas reassured her.

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 telepathically this time, as to not to draw unwanted attention as she opened the skylight in front of her and leaped in.

The golden Ankh glowed as Amanda descended slowly, floating, her arms and legs outstretched like a starfish, as she landed gently on a nearby workbench in front of her, the Ankh’s glow fading as she stopped.

“Good, very good!” Dr. Douglas said, praising Amanda’s use of telekinesis as much as her recounting. “Which means?” he asked, 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 thin, too thin. Exactly what the thief planned, so they could steal what they wanted from here with as little resistance as possible.”

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

As Amanda carefully maneuvered through the museum, the cool air conditioning rustling her beanie, she couldn’t help but be in awe of the history surrounding her. Her footsteps echoed softly against the marble floor as she navigated the labyrinthine corridors, the doctor’s guidance a steady presence in her mind.

Information about the exhibits and the museum’s security system flowed through her thoughts, thanks to her connection to Dr. Douglas through the Ankh. The building was a maze of history, each exhibit a testament to the past, but tonight, Amanda’s focus was on the present and whatever lurked in the shadows.

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. She could feel the weight of the Ankh, its gold surface warm against her skin, its power pulsing gently beneath her fingertips.

“Well, at the very least, the thief will want whatever is most valuable,” Dr. Douglas replied. “I’d suggest going to the exhibit hall, which houses the most valuable artifact.”

Amanda’s eyes narrowed as she concentrated, her gaze darting from one exhibit to another, her mind racing as she processed the information. “The Ruby Scarab Heart!” she gasped audibly, forgetting to use telepathy momentarily, her eyes wide with realization.

“Yes, yes! Very good, Amanda! And why? What’s the connection to the previous heists?” Dr. Douglas praised. “Think.” he added, clearly wanting Amanda to link the dots between the current heist and the previous ones.

Amanda nodded, her mind racing 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.” She recounted telepathically as she crept through the museum.

The Doctor’s thought, soft but insistent, guided her. “Exactly, Amanda. The gemstones connect the thefts. 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?”

“Perhaps they have a use for the gem,” Dr. Douglas said. “I don’t pretend to understand this thief’s motivations, but there’s obviously a reason they’re targeting these specific jewels.”

Amanda nodded, her mind with a razor sharp focus as she tried to piece together the puzzle. “And the Police don’t realize this, because it’s not their strength. Their strength is manpower, coverage. Unfortunately, that has left the Ruby Scarab Heart vulnerable, and we’re the only ones standing in the 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, positioned in a glass case surrounded by spotlights, gleamed like a beacon in the dimly lit hall directly across from her location. The air was thick with tension, the quiet punctuated only by the distant hum of machinery and the soft rustle of her movements.

Using the Ankh’s telepathy, Amanda whispered into Dr. Douglas’s mind, “I can feel it, the Ruby Scarab Heart, in my hand, with my telekinesis. So tempting, so tempting to just grab it and run. But no, that’s not what we’re here for. We need to wait, to observe, to understand the situation.” She hesitated, her fingers twitching slightly, as if the Ankh was urging her to act.

“You’re doing well, Amanda. Be patient. The thief will make their move soon enough,” Dr. Douglas reassured her 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 survey 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 was low, gravelly, and carried with it the weight of years. Amanda tensed, her heart pounding in her chest as she turned towards the intruder. She was face to face with a man who appeared to be a giant. He was tall, his body broad and muscular, and his eyes gleamed with a fierce intensity. His blonde hair rustled gently from the air conditioning despite its cropped nature, and a thick scar ran down the side of his face, disappearing into his neck covered by the start 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 being thrown through the air.