Direct Conflict

The mist rose up from the ground as the early morning light was just barely visible. Denton Wunderlin, a battle-hardened Vietnam War vet who just began his third tour of duty, stared out from the hut of his lover, a local Vietnamese girl, a teacher, who resided in a small, obscure village in the Delta of South Vietnam. Denton knew he had made a very serious mistake having ever become involved with the beautiful Le Phoung. She was young, graceful, and when she walked into a room her beauty radiated and she turned many heads, both male and female. Anyone knew she was more than just another local Vietnamese, she was of Mandarin descent which was aristocratic stock in Vietnam.

Denton slowly shook his head as he contemplated his fate. He knew he was caught up in her trap, her vice-like grip. He knew escaping her was next to impossible. How could he get away from her? She had professed her undying love for him, and they had carried on quite a fulfilling romance. After all, Denton, like most other men could never refuse her. She was not only beautful but she was highly intelligent. And, she had a very special way of expressing her affection and love for Denton. Yet, for some reason, something did not seem right. Denton sighed deeply, "Why do I have this feeling that I am in very serious trouble? I feel as if I am walking right into an ambush out there in the jungle. I feel as if I am powerless to avoid it, much different than my expert prowess out there facing another very formidable foe when I am charged with the safety and security of my squad.

But, Denton Wunderlin was powerless to tell his lover, Le Phoung that he was leaving and that he would not return. He had rehearsed his speech so many times, but the words just would not come to him when he gazed into Le's eyes to tell her he felt it better if they never saw one another again, ever! The words escaped him and he knew why; the answer undoubtedly belied his dilemma; he was deeply in love with Le Phoung and he knew no matter what he did, he was trapped and that there was literally no escape from her grasp.

The Vietnam War created a myriad of conflicts for the combatants as well as the local populace. But, the quagmire of war became even more complicated when it involved a love affair between an American soldier and a young Vietnamese girl. Add to that mix the polarizing effects of opposing political beliefs and the reader will find Direct Conflict to be just that. A series of events leads Sergeant Denton Wunderlin, an American soldier to suspect that his lover, Le Phoung is actually a Communist Party Cadre Member who has duped him into a love affair, yet he is powerless to undo his errors in judgement and foresake her. Both their journeys are filled with danger at every turn. It is story of romance, yet a gripping, suspenseful tale that involves intrigue, guile and cunning as Le Phoung casts her shadow of love over the verile, very powerful and lethal, yet vulnerable sergeant, Denton Wunderlin.