Title: Every Art and Artifice
Author's LJ/DWJ: thestylus
Categories: Janet, Drama, Angst, Pre-Series
Warnings: Violence, medical gore, language
Author's Webpage/Fic list: NA
Link to story: Every Art and Artifice

Why this should be read: This is an amazingly good pre-series fic about Dr. Fraiser during the first Gulf War. Although Janet is perfectly in character, it would stand up on it's own as a story about military medical personnel working near (or in) combat situations.

While not a comfortable narrative, very intense and heartbreaking, it's a beautiful backstory for the Janet Fraiser we meet at the SGC.

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I will strive always, to excel in every art and artifice of war. I know that I will be called upon to perform tasks in isolation, far from familiar faces and voices, with the help and guidance of my God. I will keep my mind and body clean, alert and strong, for this is my debt to those who depend upon me. I will not fail those with whom I serve. (from the US Army Special Forces Creed)

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"Dammit," she said. "If I'd wanted to be a desert rat, I'd have just joined the Army. Saved myself all the trouble of college and med school." They'd been on the ground all of five minutes and already the sand was everywhere. She could feel it crunch as she clenched her jaw.

"You couldn't have joined the Army, Mouse. They have height requirements."

She snickered and reached up to readjust the unfamiliar night-vision goggles. "Shut up, Ghost." His teasing was reassuring, though, as was his very solid and familiar presence at her back. In front of them, the broad shoulders of Master Sergeant Gaddy moved swiftly and silently through the darkness. A glance over her shoulder confirmed what her ears had already indicated: the chopper was heading away into the falling night, leaving them in, as far as she could tell, the exact middle of nowhere.