It was a dark and stormy night. That didn't matter, of course; where he was going, he knew quite well that even sunlight was barely able to reach, let alone inclement weather on the surface. Indeed, it was his first time coming to this particular part of this immense structure, despite having spent much of his life in it.

He spotted her right away. "Cassandra! Why, the years have not touched you one bit." He wasn't telling the complete truth, of course, but then who did in polite company?

"Finnwich. I don't think I can quite say the same about you - still experimenting with those hydraulics, are you?"

"Of course - you know it quite well. I cannot place my quest in the hands - metaphorically speaking, of course - of an object which may or may not be possible to open, let alone use, within my natural lifespan. But you also know quite well that I have not stopped by to discuss such trivial matters."

"Indeed.", the woman said, her gaze briefly wandering onto Finnwich's robotic body parts before settling on his eyes - those very eyes that had retained their warmth throughout the years, in sharp contrast to the icy cold of Cassandra's own. "Yet you have come in vain."

"Have I?", Finnwich asked, his own gaze varying much more widely, moving across the myriad of creatures in the deep visible just through the massive glass panes.

"I run things my way here now, and you know that."

"Why yes, you have done a fine job in my absence," the old man responded. "Yet this is also my company - the three of us founded it together, as you well know."

Cassandra stared at him intently, and then smiled - but it was not an altogether happy smile; it was of the knowing kind, quite close to a smirk, although it was difficult to tell with her.

"I'm afraid resuming your old position will not be possible. The company would, however, like to offer you another one - perhaps you might want to consider it...", Cassandra continued.

Finnwich said nothing at first. He had known this might be a result of this meeting with Cassandra, and he was quite prepared for it. "On the contrary, I will accept nothing lower than my rightful place as co-owner. In fact, you know quite well why I have come to take my place back now. I have little use for this position myself now..."

"Of course... I know very well what you have been up to these days... your little magic tricks... Why, maybe you might even be able to make a hobby out of them!", Cassandra said, again making that knowing facial expression.

"That is quite enough, Cassandra. I see that your stance is firm, but so is mine. It is time for me to leave. Our paths will cross again; however, our next meeting will not be quite as amicable."

"Finnwich, Finnwich, Finnwich," Cassandra said, in a mocking tone reminiscent of a mother scolding her child. "All that intelligence, yet you miscalculated. You should not have come here today."

"Cassandra, you know as well as I do that I am well-protected, just as you are yourself."

"Ah, but perhaps you are not acquainted with the latest in our own little magic tricks, are you Finnwich?" The man's eyes widened ever so slightly. "You know," Cassandra continued, "you may consider yourself untouchable, but this is not about you. This is about something we need, Finnwich - something this company needs. You will tell us - you will tell me - the one thing we want most of all. You will tell me how to open the pyramid."

"Open the pyramid? Come now, you are quite aware that neither of us so much as knows of its whereabouts, much less can determine how to unlock its secrets!", Finnwich replied.

"Of course I do! That is why your task will be here and not there. I suggest you get comfortable. We will provide you with everything you may need to crack the puzzle, but be forewarned: the consequences, should you attempt to deceive us, will be quite dire." Cassandra turned and began to leave.

"What if I say no?", Finnwich asked, but it was obvious the question was rhetorical. Cassandra actually laughed this time, but it was a chilling laugh, one that could only mean something bad was coming to whoever was on the receiving end of it.

"I wouldn't expect even you to attempt a foolhardy escape, of course, but in case you do..."