Landing in Vietnam

Marion was obviously nervous, not only flying, but actually landing in a war zone . Beside her, Daniel was always the calm, cool presence.

Landing in Hue:

“One more flight after this,” Daniel reminded her. “And it’s parked over there.”

“We’re flying over the south China Sea in that little plane?” Her stomach flipped. “It doesn’t look safe.”

“It’s as safe as any other. The Pilatus P-6 Porter. Quickest take off and landing of any other plane. They’re almost like helicopters, the way they lift. More comfortable than they look—”

“And Charlie’s favourite target,” muttered a hunched man, passing them on his way to the building.

Marion glanced at Daniel, shocked, but he shrugged. “We’re in Vietnam, Marion.”

There were only eight seats on the plane, and it was much louder than the last one. They shot into the sky, dropped Marion’s stomach again, and were soon soaring. When she had worked up the nerve to look out the window, she saw they were closely following a coastline.

“Red Beach. That’s where the Marines first landed in 1965.”

Later on, he leaned over to see the view, and she followed his gaze to a pillar of smoke up ahead.

“Artillery fire,” Daniel murmured, then he straightened and stretched his neck, revolving it one way then the other. “Ready, Marion? We’re coming up to Tay Loc Airfield in Hue. Almost there.”

His calm statement shot adrenaline through her, and she felt the compulsion to cry. What in the world was she doing out here? She’d read about Hue in Life magazine. The largest city in South Vietnam after Saigon. It had been one of the Viet Cong’s major targets only a month before.

Just as they were about to touch down, she caught a glimpse of scattered, charred metal, and she realized it was planes and helicoptors, shot down and destroyed. She looked at Daniel, seeking something she couldn’t name. He’d seen them too, she could tell.

“Hang on,” he said. “This could be a bumpy landing.”

It was, and Marion held her breath all the way to their eventual parking spot. Once there, the other six passengers got up and grabbed their bags, but Daniel stayed in place. He faced her, looking uncertain for the first time.

“I know you’re frightened,” he said. “If you weren’t, you’d be nuts. But you’re doing the right thing, coming down here. We’re going to find Joey, and you’re going to save lives. It’s going to get real scary, but you can do this. Just keep pressing forward no matter what. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“You’re trying to tell me not to panic,” she replied softly.

The plane’s door opened, and a rush of steamy air flooded in. It was so hot it was like a pressure. She began to sweat immediately. But not Daniel. He was strong, healthy, and eager to get going. At home in this world. And yet, vulnerability flickered in his eye in that moment.

“I’m trying to tell you that we will get through this. I won’t let anybody hurt you.”

She nodded, wide-eyed.

“Do you know what our slogan is? The US Marine’s slogan?” He waited, but she shook her head. “Semper Fideles.”

“Always faithful,” she translated.

“That’s me,” he told her. “You are my sole responsibility here, Marion. You can count on me.”

Then he grabbed her pack along with his own, and he held out his hand.

“Welcome to Vietnam, Marion.”