6
LZ PansyThe sun is a hard orange ball for an instant as we approach the new LZ; then, as we descend, it disappears behind the western range of mountains so that by the time we're on the ground the sky is Jell-O-and-cream. We're on a mountain with an oblong top and two fingers of gradual slopes on either end. One entire side drops off very steeply. The helicopter lands on one of the fingers, and it is a short climb to the center of the LZ. There is an hour of light left and everybody is using it to dig. A few guys are setting up trip flares but no claymore mines, because the hill is still almost as much jungle as it is landing zone, so no one knows for sure what is between them and the perimeter.
There is tension evident everywhere. Tempers are short and the approaching darkness seems l
