A/N: Hello everyone! Time for a little preview of my secret project that I have been dipping into as of late. While it is technically a crossover, I will be publishing it as a standard FOZ fan fiction simply due to the other series is actually a game mod for the Unreal Tournament series, called Ballistic Weapons. It is my first attempt at using an original character, a choice that I made earlier on in pre-planning and production.

This story is heavily inspired by the FOZ fanfic Operation Philadelphia by Milkduds100, so give him some love!

There is little to no canon surrounding it, so I am going into this blind as of right now. It's my first 1st Person Story, so give me a little break for the moment. So read, review, and enjoy, "The Archon of Zero!"

DISCLAIMER: I shouldn't need this, but alas, I can't afford a lawsuit right now. I OWN NOTHING but my OC: Lucius Foxhound. All properties, and items referenced belong to their rightful owners; I make no money off of this, just a way to pass the time.

Unknown Location and Time

Major Lucius Foxhound found himself in a bit of pickle as he hurdled through the stratosphere of an unknown garden world. He had no recent memory of what had brought him to this new and unknown land, but only one thing remained clear.

He needed to slow down, and slow down quick.

He quickly scrolled through his CoWS Series storage system and equipped his ballistic helmet, a ballistic mask and goggles, and took a spread eagle position as he continued to fall towards the ground. The major was now at terminal velocity, reaching nearly 450 miles per hour. The timer on his HUD began to countdown until impact, he had one chance to survive and merely moments to utilize it. He was about to activate his emergency chute when looked to the ground see himself crash into the ground at 50 miles per hour as the world went black.

First Person POV

I slowly, dimly awoke to the sound of laughter, and immediately picked my head up and glanced around. A stench of sulfur and smoke permeated the air as my senses continued to sharpen; I reached out and felt something beside me, it looked to be a civilian in an old track suit, fast asleep.

'Odd, what is all that noise though?'

I turned my head the other way and met the glance of what appeared to be a dragon staring into my very soul.

'Wait a second, the smoke was still thick enough, and no one can see me.'

Thankfully, I had a thermal scanner built into my ballistic helmet and HUD.

I slowly got onto my feet, selecting my M50 Assault Rifle from my weapon storage, and clicked the safety off. I started hearing what appeared to be voices, specifically those speaking in an odd, French dialect. Without warning however, the smoke was blown away, and I was forced to drop to a crouch, rifle in hand, scanning for threats.

I wasn't disappointed; plenty of creatures stood around me, along with numerous humanoids, all which seemed to be pestering a young girl with pink hair.

'Pink hair? Seriously?'

"CoWS begin translation program."

"Translation Program running."

As the pinkette walked towards me I drew my weapon towards her, set straight for her heart. She stopped suddenly, then took a step forwards.

*CRACK*

The young woman cringed as I shot a round well over her head as a warning, a beeping tone emerged from the translator, "Translation partially complete."

"Do not attempt to approach me, I will fire upon you!" I heard more laughter emerge, all of it seemingly directed towards the young woman, who is clearly becoming more agitated by the moment. She took another step, and a fire another round, *CRACK* just above her ear and less than half an inch from her temple, cutting a piece of her hair.

"If you approach once more I will shoot you!" The little girl instantly seemed hesitant, and the laughter had quieted down. What seemed to be something of a standoff was brewing, as the young civilian next to me begun to wake.

"Ughhh where am I?" The boy, obviously still confused shakes his head and looked around him, "Where the hell are we?! Some kind of cult?"

I speak to him without turning my head away from the little witch in front of me, "You alright kid? I'm right here with you, what's your name son?"

The boy nervously replied, "S-s-Saito Hiraga, of Japan; and you sir?"

"Major Lucius Foxhound, I don't know what's going on, but we are surrounded by some weird people and creatures. So I need you to stay perfectly calm, and do exactly as I say. You know how to use a gun?"

"Yessir, just point and shoot right?"

"Exactly," I toss him my sidearm, an M806A2 pistol, "Safety's off, so be careful with that thing-."

"EXPLOSION!"

I felt myself being blasted backwards by a concussive blast, my weapon being ripped from my hands and falling to the ground several meters away. I was still seeing stars when I heard someone say, "By the Pentagon of the Five Powers, I mark you as my familiar!" I felt a pair of lips touch my own and immediately separated as I dragged myself away from the young witch.

I drew my X3 combat knife and I felt my vision start to cloud and distort as I threw the balanced knife at the little pink-haired girl as consciousness escaped me.

I began to slowly realize my surroundings, as my heart began to beat harder and harder each moment my sense of direction began to stabilize further.

Adrenaline kicked in, bringing me up to a sitting position as I speak into the boom mike, "Quick Weapon 1!"

As nothing happened my hands went towards my head and I realized both my headset and helmet had been removed.

"Where have you placed my belongings witch?!" My complaint was met with a strike across my face by what felt like a whip or belt that my father had used on me. I tasted blood in my mouth and pain spreading across my face.

"My name is Louise Le Blanc de La Valliere, you are my familiar, and I am your master. Is that clear?"

I spat a blast of blood, saliva, and phlegm into the little witch's face, "What gives you the right to own people?! Last time I checked slavery wasn't exactly legal! Where is that other kid?"

The girl seemed cowed by his violent outburst, Pinkie turned away, "H-h-he didn't survive the explosion."

While I could sense guilt, sometimes people have to feel a bit of pain to realize the enormity of their mistakes.

I jumped to my feet, and head-butted Pinkie square in the nose, sending her to the ground. I continued to hit and kick her as she curled into a fetal position, whimpering louder and louder with each impact. After I was convinced she wouldn't be getting up to bother me any time soon I collected my weapons that had been laid out along with the rest of my belongings.

I sighed, "Well, I best figure out where the hell I am."

I activated my HUD and selected my standard issue sidearm that I had given to Saito earlier, and deployed it into reality. I walked out the door, with my M806 latched onto my hip, and began to scour the area I was in for clues on where I might be. The first thing I noticed was the use of stone to completely cover the walls and floors, meaning I'm either in extremely old building, or somewhere that uses stone in such a manner for all forms of construction. I walked towards the end of the hall and found a circular staircase leading downstairs.

I froze in place when I heard voices, "Lord Guiche, I have been told that I make wonderful pastries."

A suave voice responded, "Is that so? Well I would love to try one Miss Katie."

"Really? You would?" I rolled my eyes, this was going nowhere fast. I made my way down the floor below and was instantly noticed by the blonde haired boy, this Guiche character.

"You there! Commoner! You cannot simply ignore nobility! Pay your respects to the man that helped carry you into Louise's room, or should I say the Zero's room?"

Both of them began to laugh as I replied in a dark, irritated voice, "Titles of nobility are irrelevant sir, I am merely passing through." I continued to walk away before I stopped myself, "Where was the other familiar buried? I need to pay my respects."

The blondie seemed surprised, "He's buried just outside the gates on the hill to the right."

"Thank you." I walked away, uninterested in continuing this line of discussion further.

"A strange familiar for a strange mage, don't you think Guiche?"

I went down to the next floor, which appeared to be ground level. I made my way through the foyer and caught a glance of two other students in some sort of romantic rendezvous. One was a typical, prickish boy, while the other was rather striking. The woman next to him was bleeding raw sex appeal, devilish curves in all the right places, along with a wondrous hourglass shape. They were obviously occupied, so I continued on, well aware that they were watching me walk out the door.

"Was that the Zero's familiar?"

"What could he be doing out at this time of night?"

"You don't think-." Was the last I heard before I was no longer within earshot, the gates mere yards away.

I looked to the guards and nodded, "Gentlemen, how goes it?"

The junior one looked at me and shook his head, "Going nowhere believe it or not."

I nodded, guard duty was so overrated, "I'm heading out to the new grave site, and I'll be spending the night out there."

The senior guard nodded, "Very well, we'll mention it to the guards coming next shift." He opened the gates, the heavy cast iron doorway creaking as it opened up.

"I'd appreciate that, thanks." I began to walk away and heard the gates close behind me. I saw the hill the blonde man Guiche had referred to, and realized it was a fitting place to be buried. I scaled the small mountain to find a simple, unmarked grave on its summit, ground freshly disturbed and resettled.

"I suppose this is a fitting location for something such as this."

I didn't know what religion the kid believed in, or where his family may be, but I remember one thing from my time in the Marines that remained instilled in me to this day, 'never leave a man behind.' While I couldn't bring him back to his family, I could make sure that his grave and death wouldn't be easily forgotten. I looked towards the sky to see two different colored moons, red and blue. I knew what my inscription would be.

I went into my inventory and began selecting the tools I would need to build a memorial for the young man. Something sparse and simple, I didn't have fancy objects or anything important to spare. I selected an old pair of boots, a worn helmet, and old, inoperable Deermaster 6000 hunting rifle and began to build a makeshift memorial befitting of someone such as this. I placed his boots where his torso would be, and nailed them to the ground using my sidearm as a hammer. I placed the rifle between the boots and secured it with a high grade adhesive, barrel facing downwards. I balanced the helmet on the narrow stock so it was hanging slightly downwards in the front, and held the two pieces together with the same adhesive.

I smiled as I took a step back and looked at the memorial itself with a sense of accomplishment. None would forget what that little bitch did to this young, defenseless man any time soon. I decided to put the final touches on it, using a piece of Quick-Crete to make a tombstone that would lie on the ground. I used my plasma cutter, and began to etch characters into the hardening stone.

"Saito Hiraga, Lies Here In Another World." I wrote the inscription not just in my native English, but also my second language Arabic, as well as Japanese characters provided by my translator.

I pulled out my tent and sleeping bag I had stored and quickly set the two up, before crawling inside and falling asleep the moment my head hit the ground.

The cold ground never felt so good.

That Same Time-Third Person

Louise sat on her bed, pain arching through her entire body like an arcing bolt of lightning.

'Why did my familiar do that to me? Why didn't he just shoot me?'

The door burst open and she saw Kirche and her man at the time looking at her with fright, "Ze-Louise, are you okay?"

Louise turned away, ashamed of her failure as a mage. One familiar had died and the other had run off somewhere, away from her; not before beating her within an inch of her life however.

Kirche ran into the room and looked at a bruised and battered Louise, "What the hell did that man do to you Louise?!"

Kirche was horrified to see how her childhood rival was bruised and bloodied all across her body, a major bruise over the bridge of her nose and forehead, along with several contusions across her arms and legs, many of which oozed blood. Thankfully however, her own chest and abdomen had been spared the majority of the attack, 'He wasn't intending to kill at all.'

She began to mumble "I failed Zerbst, I am no mage that my family can accept-." She was cut off as Kirche suddenly embraced the pinkette, who would've cried had her eyes not dried up long ago.

Kirche turned to Pelisse, her date, "Pelly, go get Tabitha and tell her to come to Louise's room. I promise I will make this up to you!"

He nodded and ran off to the little Wind mage's room.

"It'll be okay Louise, we'll get you cleaned up and everything will be fine."

Louise sniffled, and whispered a muted, "Thank you."

Xxx

Dawn-Third Person

The Major woke up at precisely 0600 hours, dawn. His own body clock was nothing if not predictable. After he converted to Islam in his teenage years, his daily rituals became a part of his very life. Praying five times a day, fasting during Ramadan, and even learning Arabic to read his authentic copy of the Koran became a central part of his very existence. Even in the combat zones fighting the aliens that attacked humans across the cosmos, he set the time aside to pray, meditate, and take solace in peace.

First Person

Morning, ah the sounds of birds chirping and the feeling of wet dew on everything that was out during the night. I exited the tent, packing everything away in my inventory, and replacing it with my Koran and prayer rug. I kneeled on the rug itself, facing the dawn, and began my morning prayers. My imam had taught me that if you do not know which way Mecca was, you could pray towards the dawn. After all, we as human beings were mortal and fallible, even the Prophet knew that.

I completed my prayers and gave myself a moment of contemplation as asked Allah to forgive me for my sins I had committed the previous day.

'Striking a child with malice.'

'Failing to protect an innocent, even if he was a non-believer.'

I took a deep breath, before opening my eyes, "God is Great."

I stood up, and stored my belongings, and made my way towards the Academy.

The little witch's redemption starts right now.

After negotiating my way through the now busy student halls, which was remarkably easy given how they all seemed to part before me, like the Red Sea had done millennia earlier.

I made my way up to the third floor, knocked on the door, and opened it, only to meet what appeared to be a messenger boy, "Um, excuse me sir, your presence is needed in the Headmaster's office."

I nodded, "Very well then, escort me there son."

I went with the messenger, who was clearly nervous as all hell, and even fearful of me. Many of the staff shrinked away from me, clearly uninterested in being associated with me.

"I wonder why they are all behaving like that. Did I get myself into a bad situation?'

We went to the center building on campus, a tall, needle like stone tower and began to walk up towards the top. After what felt like several minutes we both arrived at a large, gilded wooden door. "This is the Headmaster's office, good day sir." I nodded to the messenger, I knocked using the knocker attached to the door and entered.

When I walked in I saw nearly twenty people across the interior of the room looking at me with glares full of venom, I quickly snapped a salute, "Major Lucius Foxhound, United Terran Colonies Marine Corps." I returned my hand down to my side and went to parade rest, hands and arms behind my back, meeting just above the back of my hips, and legs spread slightly, relaxed.

Whispers began to fill the room before the old man sitting at a desk cleared his throat, silencing all instantly.

"Only a noble can hold a rank of Major, are you saying you are from a noble lineage?"

I took that moment and thought about it; technically I am from a noble blood line, being a descendant of Catherine the Great, who led during the 1500's. Sure it was 2287 now, but they didn't need to know that.

"Technically, yes I am. I am a descendant of Empress Catherine the Great of Russia, and my own family history is well recorded for over a millennia. My own bloodline includes Knights, Paladins and other military figures."

Mouths dropped open across the room, I didn't think it was that impressive, but clearly everyone in the room felt otherwise.

"I apologize your Highness for our aggressive behavior towards you, we had no idea you were of noble birthright, or a military officer."

I shook my head, "I am merely a descendant, I will never hold the crown, so Major will be fine Headmaster." I gestured towards an open chair, when the Headmaster nodded I sat down, "I suppose you are wondering why I was so rough with my," I put up my fingers as air quotes, "Master."

The old man nodded, "Why were you so violent towards her?"

"She killed a defenseless boy without provocation, that's murder where I'm from; noble or not you get prison time. I suppose there's a reason she's standing there and not in chains?"

A sniffle began to emerge from Pinky who hid behind Professor Colbert, the man who had supervised the summoning ritual the day before. The headmaster's eyes closed with sorrow, "There is actually, a noble can kill a peasant regardless of the consequences; while it is considered immoral and even in poor taste such behavior is tolerated."

I felt a vein popping out of my head, "I see, that is something I couldn't agree with at all; which is why I assaulted her last night." Looks of shock dotted the room, "I had a nagging suspicion that was the case with your society, but you simply confirmed my concerns. This familiar brand," I pulled up my left hand and displayed it, "Cannot be removed I assume?"

The sight of the headmaster and several senior staff members nodding only made me more flustered.

"Since I really don't have a choice, considering I'm far from home, with little to no chance of recovery, I suppose I can be this familiar." A few mouths opened wide at the sound of that, so I continued, "I will become this familiar of hers, provided several conditions are met."

I turned to Pinky and I saw her attempt to toughen up and intimidate me, "My conditions are non-negotiable and can be changed by myself to suit my own needs as needed."

First, I am an equal to," I point to Pinky, "What's your name girl?"

The red head answered for her, "Louise Le Blanc de La Valliere." 'Louise' nodded.

"Right, I am an equal to Louise Valliere in all matters."

"Second, my own weapons technology is my own, and cannot be copied, exchanged, or bartered for in any capacity without my express permission."

"Third, my own religious beliefs will not be questioned and will be tolerated. I don't know what your own beliefs are, but I plan on keeping them to myself."

The entire room went into an uproar at the sound of this, "Blasphemy!"

Great, a bunch of religious nuts that make me appear like an atheist.

"If that is a problem I will walk out that door right now, I have no need for a society that cannot have the decency to accept other faiths as it's neighbors."

The room silenced instantly at the Headmaster's urging. "I cannot guarantee the third condition, the Church rules all matters regarding nobility, magic, and religion. They will likely send Inquisitors after you and Miss Valliere."

I crossed my arms, "Very well, I can accept these terms. However, if I am attacked by a member of the Church, I reserve the right to use extreme force to protect myself and my charge."

The headmaster nodded, and stuck out his hand, "I hope you know what you're doing Major."

I couldn't help but smile as I shook the old man's hand, "Oh, it's just starting to get interesting."

Xxx

A/N:Hey everyone, this is a serious endeavor I am considering taking into a full series, and I want to get a feel for the community's reception. I am looking for an advisor on Muslim religious matters that may be included in this story

Disclaimer Note: I am NOT Muslim myself, and do not claim to represent them. I do not intend to offend, annoy, disturb, or frustrate any Muslims or anyone of any faith under any circumstance. If I make a mistake, post it on a review or PM, and I will gladly fix the error in question.

Time to introduce some concepts that will remain evident throughout the series:

Archon Universe: Alternate reality where Ballistic Weapons takes place, somewhere around 23th century. Virtually identical to our own universe.

Compartmentalized Weapon Storage System (CoWSS) is a system that allows a soldier regardless of strength to carry a theoretically unlimited amount of munitions, with minimal weight gain. It also serves as a combat advisor and inventory manager. (It IS overpowered, and was intended to be that way.)

Weapons that premiered this episode:

M50 Assault Rifle: the bread and butter of human militaries, the renowned M50 has seen action in every major human military action for the past 50 years. Chambered in 5.56mm, the weapon may not hold much stopping power, but its high controllability and even higher fire rate make the weapon an easy favorite. In addition to its standard AR layout (based on the M-16), it has an underslung 60mm grenade launcher for taking out hard targets.

Deermaster 6000: A lever action rifle designed for hunters of various game, the Deermaster is an incredibly popular weapon that while sees no use in the military, is valued by hunters across the galaxy. High accuracy and reliability make the weapon a natural favorite, the vintage .300 Winchester making the weapon one to be reckoned with.

M806A2 High Velocity Pistol: A classic rehash of the Colt 1911 of the 20th century, fires an upgraded .45 High Velocity (HV) round with a twelve round capacity; comes with a laser sight just below the barrel for additional accuracy. While it has burst fire capabilities, the low cyclic rate that the handgun possesses makes it relatively unusable.

X3 Combat Knife: A high performance close quarters combat blade, the X3 was originally designed for Special Operators and assassins. A strong titanium-carbide based frame and edge give the weapon fantastic durability and weight; what little weight is has left to offer is balanced, making throwing an X3 laughably easy. It also has an 'iron knuckle' finger guard and bludgeon, adding function to an already well made blade.