Rattle at the Grate

I advanced down the driveway to establish an outer listening post at the street curb. A crushed aluminum can was wedged tight between the iron bars of the storm drain, rattling in the wind and masking potential approach sounds. Hazard to tactical awareness. I planted my feet against the rough asphalt, clamped both hands onto the rim of the twisted metal, and wrenched it free. With a firm stomp, I flattened the cylinder to kill the vibration, then wedged it deep into the curb corner out of the draft. Street line is silent now. Listening post operational.