[b]HAIL HYDRA!
HAIL HYDRA!
HAIL HYDRA![/b]

The roar of the crowd was deafening from Ian's position. He couldn't even hear himself yell out. This was both a blessing and a curse. Because he didn't want to be here. He never wanted to be here. But staying out of Hydra's attention requires sacrifice. Or more specifically, doing what everyone else does. Which in this case was attending this parade. The only other blessing was he was short enough and far enough back he couldn't see the poor people doomed to die. The thought of it always turned his stomach. From past experience he knew he'd lose his scant breakfast as soon as this was over.

Ian resisted the impulse to scan the crowd. There was always someone who was looking out for mutants and/or mutant sympathizers. Anyone without appropriate enough zeal was usually marked. Coupled with Ian's warn clothing he knew he was already marked. A lot of homeless and transient people were Hydra dissenters. The poor were always never happy with the "ruling" class. If it was still America Ian was sure that he would be against whatever political party that was in office. It was just the way things worked. The grass was always greener and all that jazz.

The parade was passing Ian and working it's way further down the street. The torture was nearly over. He wouldn't have to think about how this could have been him out there. About how it probably had been him when he was only a young boy. About how it could still be him all over again. 

Ian's morbid train of thought cut off as a loud bang cut through the screaming, chanting voices. People around him flinched and ducked. New screaming started up, full of terror and pain. The sounds of guns firing warring with the cries, drowning them out. Ian shifted his body with the flow as people started fleeing. It was a mad house as people pushed, shoved and ran. Ian tried to keep a wary eye out as he was pushed along in the stampede. He didn't see much other then Hydra forces making their way through the press of people. Unlike the civilians, the crowd parted for them. Or else Hydra just cut them down and continued on. 

One such person, a young woman, failed to move out of the path quick enough and got shot for her failure. She stumbled, failed and was lost under the sea of people. Ian balked against the flow and forced himself back to where he last saw her only to find her trampled to death. Other than the few stragglers the mass of people lad largely moved on. Shaking the man now had a better view of what could only be described as a battle.

Ian looked up as music blared loudly out of every speaker in the area. Ian couldn't help but stare as Hydra fought against what could only be Iron Man. But he was dead. Wasn't he? Ian was shocked out of staring by new screaming. One of the mutants who had been involved in the ghastly parade was trying to get away but a Hydra soldier had noticed him.

Ian's tongue darted out to moisten his lips. Ian wasn't a impulsive man. He was slow and methodical. Getting involved now would only mean his death. 

[b]But[/b]

The Hydra soldier raised his gun and Ian quickly snapped out his. Within the same moment he fired but so did Hydra. Both the soldier and the mutant jerked.