“How’s she doing, Chief?” Charlie asked. “Good enough, sir,” Shack said. He warned Charlie that engine four was acting up when they started it. “She seems okay now, but I’d watch her,” he added. Shack seemed a bit distant, and Charlie suspected why. Rumor had it that Shack had lost three planes so far—three crews. Shack said the bomber was new to the group, a transfer from another unit, and that he was just learning her quirks. His words struck Charlie like a waiver.
