Tactical Stand-Down

I slung my carbine behind my shoulder and hauled myself onto the wide bronze nozzle cap of the fire hydrant. The midday sun had baked the heavy cast iron to a comforting, radiant warmth. Setting my field pack down beside the dangling iron chain, I popped the front clip of my chest harness to release the tension across my shoulders. Leaning back against the curved silver barrel, I let my boots dangle freely above the pavement. The avenue traffic continued its steady hum in the distance, but up here on the heated bronze, I took a disciplined ten-minute rest to recharge.