Xander Harris-Chase, Alpha of the Sunnydale Protectors Pack, sat in a chair outside the Oval Office. Near him sat the other members of his Pack. His mate and co-leader, Cordelia Harris-Chase, their Betas, Kyle and Rhonda Defours and their Packmates, Tor and Heidi Hauer, along with their team Medic, Jesse McNally. He was wondering why they'd been called here. Normally, if they had need of the President's go to Protectors Pack, they got called to the SGC, not to see the President himself. What could require an in person meeting with the President of the United States? Xander was very much afraid he wouldn't like the answer. The last time they'd been called in, it had been to discover what was possibly the origin of the legend of The Deeper Well as well as the mother of the Goa'uld. Whatever this was about must be bigger then that.

It was. He really should know better then to tempt Murphy by now.

"Thank you for coming so quickly Alexander. I appreciate it. What I need to discuss with you is something I don't think we've ever encountered before. Entire worlds in Pegasus are being killed. Adults, children and animals. Nothing bigger then small birds is being left alive. Whatever this new threat is, they're also going after Wraith worlds. They're doing the same thing there, as well. The Queens, the males, the drones and the animals. Nothing is being left alive. They're being murdered. Some have their heads severed, others run thru. I have pictures the investigators took. I'd like you to look at them. Give me some idea if we're dealing with demons or humans or aliens." He handed Xander the pictures and he studied them, he could feel his Pack looking over his shoulders.

"Well, I can't tell if it's any of those from the pictures. But what i can tell you is these people were hunted. You see these footprints here? Those are the victims. They're moving fast, but some of the prints are twisted, like they were looking back over their shoulder. These other prints? Those are the hunter. They're methodical. He's not in a hurry, he's not excited, he's precise. It's not the kill that he's looking forward to. The hunt itself is the point. Sooner or later, he'll catch them. Did any of them call for help?"

"Dr. McKay went thru their Stargate address books. None of them were activated. Which doesn't make any sense. Especially if the ones doing this hunting weren't in a hurry. Someone should have had time to get to the Stargate and call for help."

"Unless they couldn't. If the 'gate itself was completely blocked to keep them escaping they'd never be able to. The Wraith and Goa'uld both activate and keep activated a Stargate to keep people from escaping. These hunters used something. Something that kept the people from even getting near it. Was there evidence that suggested they landed a ship in front of it?"

"No, they checked for that too."

"Force field maybe. The hunters probably taunted the people with knowledge of it. Or made them watch while they activated it. So we're dealing with methodical, intelligent, resourceful people whose goal seems to be to simply hunt these people. Demons, Goa'uld and disturbed humans enjoy the thrill. Each of these pictures show different prints. Different hunters, but each one is methodical. There's a totally different reason they're hunting then any we've encountered before. The Goa'uld hunt for new hosts or slaves. The Wraith and demons hunt for food or the thrill or both. These people are simply hunting."

"That assessment was also reached by the investigators. They suggest the purpose may be cultural or religious."

"Possibly, but I don't think so. Oh it may actually be part of a cultural or religious purpose, over all. But they hunted animals and humans, as well as Wraith. You ever hear of a book called The Most Dangerous Game? A hunter gets bored with hunting animals and decides to hunt humans. Because they provide a bigger challenge. One of them succeeds in hunting him back. I think they're testing to determine which targets provide the better challenge. Which ones are actually worth hunting. Eventually they'll make up their minds which ones are worth the hunt, then they'll come in force."

"I was afraid you'd say that. Everything you've said agrees with the investigators. I was hoping it was a few demons, I could send you guys and you take care it, as usual. But if these are like scouts or something, sooner or later, it's going to get alot worse, isn't it?"

"Yes."

"Very well. Then we need to prepare. While I work on shoring up our defenses here and in Pegasus, I want you and the Pack to join AG 1 and find these hunters. Colonel Carter and the Hammond will provide escort and defense if you run into a ship, as well as help with further investigation. Hunt the hunters. Like in the story you mentioned."

"Yes, sir. We can leave immediately."

"I was hoping you'd say that." He touched a button and said. "Colonel Carter please bring them up to the Hammond."

"Yes, sir."

They felt the tingle of a matter transport beam and then they were looking at a friend, Colonel Samantha Carter, commanding officer of the General George Hammond.

"Welcome to the Hammond. I'd like to take the time to show it off, but we don't have time. One of the ZPM's has been installed and between it and the Asguard augmentation we've done to the engines, we'll be in Pegasus in less than a day. I've had quarters prepared for you. We'll start our investigation by visiting the worlds that have been hunted, see if your enhanced senses can pick up anything. I've had quarters prepared for you. Lt. Jacobson will be your liaison. If you have any questions, just ask him. Lt. please show them to their quarters."