73. DIRTY SOUTH (MAELSTROM TERRITORY)

The 6 blocks of the southeast corner of the Combat Zone are known simply as the Dirty South.  These streets and one block of Plaza Concord south of Kings Cross to the west are claimed by the most vicious booster gang in the Zone, Maelstrom.  They don’t have anywhere near the numbers of Stomp or Slaughterhouse, nor do they have an exceedingly large territory, but they make up for that in pure fury and aggressiveness.  Even the Dead Zoners stay out of Slaughterhouse turf.   Where other gangs sells drugs,  guns, and other contraband, Maelstrom was formed to party and to fight, even amongst themselves.  The have mellowed some since Razorfist took over the gang, and are more interested in dealing combat drugs and extorting local businesses for protection than turf expansion, but they are still heavily  augmented and very skilled warriors, most of whom are addicted to dangerous stimulants and riding the edge of Cyberpsychosis.  There is however still a growing number of members within the gang who feel they are losing their roots, and wish to return to their former glory and expanding their turf.

The area itself is heavily tagged, the homes and buildings often show heavy damage, mostly along the northern edge of the territory where Maelstrom frequently clashes with gangs from the Cauldron who either try and expand into Maelstrom turf, or are pushed down by other gangs.  It is not uncommon to see streets blockaded off, or fires burning from smoldering wrecks.

Due to Maelstroms presence, Dirty South may be the most neglected and crumbling area of the Zone.  Though the Cauldron is more chaotic, the gangs there usually try and repair their places after a firefight.  In the Dirty South buildings damaged by fire, gunfights, and lack of maintenance are everywhere, and people stay off the streets as much as possible.  The gang seems to prefer the burnt out buildings, rubble and trash as it appeals to their anarchist beliefs.

 However its not all bad, business and home owners who do pay their rent get the protection from other gangs, like those of the cauldron and Stomp, and for the most part Maelstrom leaves the normal people alone… if someone can’t, or isn’t willing to put up a fight, they have little interest to Maelstrom.  And if by some miracle you happen to get on their good side, or earn their respect, they will fight tooth and nail for you, just ask the Stomp Streeters who tried muscling in on Tackle Automotive, which isn’t even in their territory.

(For more on Maelstrom, see Gangs Of Night City)

Written By Deric Bernier, Images from Wasteland Empires, Borderlands, Jacob Charles Dietz,

For questions, complaints, criticisms and suggestions, e-mail the author:wisdom000@gmail.com