The conference room was unchanged, aside from the startling aqua shade of the repainted walls. Sheppard stepped in, hoping his eyes would adjust to all of the blue.

Five tired-looking men and women fell silent when he entered. They stared at him collectively, eyes wide.

Sheppard glanced around the room uncomfortably, "Hi."

"It IS him!" whispered one man. Judith nodded proudly.

Another man sitting toward the center of the table stood, appearing more clear-headed than the others. He cleared his throat, "Forgive us, Lieutenant Colonel John Sheppard. There hasn't been a Founder in our presence for many years. We were uncertain that you could even be revived." His nod was full of diplomatic politeness and respect, "I am Science General Marcus Randall. Welcome back to Atlantis Base."

"Thank you," Sheppard nodded back cautiously. Finally, someone was making some sense.

"I am certain that Judith has filled you in, so I'll spare you the history lesson and get right to the point," Randall maintained his formal bearing, "We need you to operate the Throne of Ancestors."

"Can you do it?" gushed a female scientist.

"Uh," Sheppard shrugged, "I think so. As long as it has a power source."

"Good," Randall's head snapped mechanically up and down, "then you are dismissed. We'll call for you when we are ready."

"Wait, hold on," Sheppard held up his hand, "ready for what?"

"The attack, of course," barked Randall, "dismissed!"

Sheppard found himself staring at a door closed in his face. He frowned. Something was definitely not right here.

Would an explanation really be too much to ask? Sheppard wondered. He shook his head and decided to do some exploring.

As he jogged slowly through the city, Sheppard took in the sights. Everywhere he went, the city was full of people and life. There were people living in parts of the city that he'd rarely been to.

How can a place so crowded feel so empty? He wondered, slowing to walk past a group of people in a hallway.

Already, he had discovered many changes. Additional jumper bays had been built. There was an entire shopping mall on the West pier. A family of eight was now living in his old quarters. Many restaurants had been built into the more public areas of the city, serving food palatable to all races except, as Sheppard discovered, 21st century humans. To him, the food tasted like pond scum wrapped in newspaper.

"I like to think I'm a forward-looking guy," Sheppard muttered, "but if this is 'progress', you can keep it."

A few people glanced curiously at him as he passed, but most ignored him. By the time he had finished running, he had come to terms with his state of mind. There was no way around it. He was homesick.