that is of course had he ever completed his growth cycle and achieved normal American boy height. Jimmy overcompensated for his lack of height with a never-ending dialogue on anything and everything. Jimmy was a good guy, and everyone liked him, but his need to draw attention away from his shortcomings with constant conversation and attention cemented his call sign among the men of the squadron. Just below Big Bev’s copilot window was stenciled the moniker that defined and identified Jimmy Shields throughout his military career. It was only three letters long but made the men of his unit smile every time he acknowledged it as his identifier. “Alf” was written in small black letters below Jimmy’s window. He was not assigned his call sign because of any resemblance to a furry alien from a TV sitcom. “Alf” was merely an acronym for Jimmy’s most distinguishing characteristic; Alf stood for “Awkward Little Fucker.”
Seven assumed that his given call sign was assigned to him upon his birth. It seems obvious that a child born with seven toes on one foot would forever be known as Seven. Seven shared the story of how he came to be known as a number with the members of his squad. He figured that below his pilot’s window would be etched some form of the number he was known by his entire life. That, of course, would not come to pass. No man or woman gets to choose his or her own call sign; it’s just not the military way. It was foolish of Seven to assume that he would be the exception. He learned of his newly given surname as he boarded “Big Bev” for the first time as her newly assigned pilot and commander. Seven forced a smile as he saw the small print stenciling on the skin of the craft. It made sense and was far from any form of insult. The trademark scar that had made him such a mystery to the ladies of the university had now defined him as a military man. Seven Andrews was fine with the moniker of “Capone” written on his machine. “Scarface” would have been a little cooler and tougher he thought, but he could survive a career being called “Capone.”
The call signs were reduced and modified by the men of the squadron. “Cap” and “Al” quickly carved out a reputation within the unit. They were known for their ability to deliver their package, be it