Hydra Gang/3.0

Hydra Gang, or simply Hydra, is a criminal gang established in 2020 by former Vagos members Juan Carlos "Flippy" Hernandez, Fernando "Mario" Reyes, and Raul Rodriguez, alongside Susie Carmichael. The gang underwent a revival in March 2022. 
Hydra consists of a mix of CEOs, business owners, and many skilled criminals, with members specializing in drug and weapons trafficking, combat, hacking, street racing, and getaway driving. Hydra is regarded as one of the wealthiest, most lethal, and most efficient gangs in the city, operating in a close alliance with Chang Gang, which Flippy, Mario,and Miguel are members of. Hydra used to reside in the Hydra Pit, but currently can mostly be seen at the Casino or in Little Seoul alongside Chang Gang.
Hydra manages the Vendetta racing crew in partnership with Harmony Repairs, as many Hydra members and associates are also avid street racers. 
Before the 4.0 Economy collapse, Hydra had a total of 21 Full Members, 4 Hangarounds, 8 Honorary Members and 4 Affiliates.
==Origin==
In 2020, Mario approached Flippy after both of them had left the Vagos and asked him to create a group with him; due to their strong friendship, Flippy agreed. During this timeframe, Raul Rodriguez had also left the Vagos and approached Flippy, hoping to join the crew. As Raul shared being an ex-member of the gang, they both decided to invite him to the crew, in turn inviting his then-girlfriend, Susie Carmichael. After months of doing crime together and hanging out with friends, they slowly gathered other members such as Deejay Bartello, Miguel Almerion and Olga Sazkaljovich, and later gathering members from other gangs.
Since September 2020, the gang went through phases of existence and non-existence and at some point being rumored to not be a gang at all. Hydra entered a phase of renewal and was officially re-established in March 2022, starting with a relocation of turf from Mirror Park to Little Seoul with Mr. Kebun's blessing after Flippy noticed Street Team living there with no issues, and with new members being added.
==Namesakes==
Hydra has been dubbed various names throughout its existence.
Shnake Gang - Many members of Hydra, including the OGs, are former members of gangs (such as The Families, the Vagos, the Angels, Seaside, and the Russian Mafia) who abandoned, "betrayed", or "snaked", their original gang for varying reasons, including feeling left out or not having a purpose within the group. Therefore, Hydra is a gang of "snakes", hence the name. 
"Flippy's Crew" - An older term used prior to March 2022, during a time Hydra was barely considered to be an organized gang with a consistent name. The term was used by people who were unaware of the gang's real membership or proper name, so they just referred to the group as simply 'Flippy's crew', consisting of Flippy's friends or people who hang around him.
Mario Gang - Hydra Gang's original name, named after Mario. The term is still sometimes used as sort of a joke name implying that Mario is the real leader of Hydra, or is the leader of his own gang of loyal sycophants.
Hydra Gang - The most commonly used name for the gang, coined by Flippy and used by the majority of the crew and citizens of Los Santos. The word "Hydra" comes from the Lernaean Hydra or Hydra of Lerna, a serpentine water monster in Greco-Roman mythology. This means that 'Hydra Gang' devolves from the theme of snakes and serpents, which also links back to the gang's other moniker, "Shnake Gang". Every new member recruited is akin to adding a new head to the Hydra.
==Hydra Gang Commandments==
 	Commandments
1.	Thou shall not listen to Miguel.
2.	Thou shall spend time offline.
3.	Thou shall ERP while in times of peace.
4.	Thou shall carry cuffs at all times.
===The Lost Commandment===
Hydra used to have a commandment that forbade members from dating each other, as members dating each other could lead to internal drama and potentially cause loyalty issues. Some members considered this rule the only actual commandment the gang must follow.
However the dating commandment was removed after OG members Lilly Pandia and Aleksander Sazkaljovich began dating in April 2023, breaking the rule.
===The Wall Chant===
Night gathers and now my watch begins, it shall not end until my death. I shall not date in gang, hold no hands, father no children. I shall wear no shirt and lose no fight. I shall live & die at my post. I am the sword in the darkness. I am the watcher on the walls. I am the fire that burns against the rust, the light that brings the dawn, the horn that wakes the sleepers, the shield that guards the realms of angels. I pledge my life & honor to the Hydra Watch.
==Notable Events==
2021 Events	
{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed article-table" style="border:1px solid #607d68; color:white; background:#0C0B1F;"	Mario Gang
October 9th 2021 - Mario Gang
Throughout the entire day of October 9th, members of Hydra presented themselves to Fernando Reyes, mostly known as Mario, with "I <3 Mario" shirts. This is because this day was marked as Mario day, a day where all members of Hydra- Including Flippy- had to provide respect and care to Mario. 
While this day ran its course, friends of Hydra were also found to be repping the shirt and showing their love to Mario. Examples of these people are: Vladimir Raven, Nicholas Simone and Eddie Marshall.	
2022 Events	
{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed article-table" style="border:1px solid #607d68; color:white; background:#0C0B1F;"	Facing The Senate
January 2022 - The Lost vs The Senate
In the mid hours of January 24th 2022, members of Hydra Gang were invited by the Lost MC to join their war against Los Santos Senate who were pushing to take away land owned by The Lost. After a successful battle, The Senate and Unified Police Department/3.0 issued a full retreat due to all their weaponry being destroyed. Despite winning the battle, The Lost alongside other criminals in the city, had not won the war. Warrants and lockdowns were issued to those who were known to associate with The Lost, this included the properties of: Juan Carlos Hernandez, Susie Carmichael, Aleksander Sazkaljovich, Miguel Almerionand Mike Wadum.
A few days after these events, all of Hydra were pardoned and their properties were unlocked. They did not join forces with Lost again.	
2023 Events	
{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed article-table" style="border:1px solid #607d68; color:white; background:#0C0B1F;"	Flippy's Return & New Ranking System
January 4, 2023 - Flippy announces new ranking system for Hydra
During a gang meeting on the roof of the Pit on January 4, 2023, Flippy announced that he had come to a conclusion regarding the gang during his previous vacation away from the city. He decided to simplify Hydra's ranking system by eliminating the Hangaround rank. For now on, there would be the two leaders (El Jefe and Vice el Jefe), OG members, and then regular/full members. 
By eliminating the rank, Alan, Ledson, Ash, and Frankie were all officially recognized as full members, with Frankie annd Alan being given their flags.
According to Flippy, a major reason for the change was to show that all members were valued and they should not let a rank such as "hangaround" make them feel lesser appreciated, involved, or respected. Either you're Hydra or you're not.
Flippy also clarified that, unlike other gangs in the city, "OG" is a rank of appreciation for hard work and dedication to the gang rather than a title reserved for Day 1 members. In Hydra, the OG title can be earned, but also revoked. Mario was formally recognized as an OG again, and Lilly was promoted to an OG member for "carrying the gang" in November-December 2022 by keeping the gang's group activities and other operations up and running in Flippy's absence.
There was no mention of Leonardo Sand's position in the gang, whom has the rank of Associate but has been inactive in Hydra for most of 2022.	
Initiations	
{| class="mw-collapsible mw-collapsed article-table" style="border:1px solid #607d68; color:white; background:#0C0B1F;"	Initiation of Raul Luis-Blanco
Spring 2022 - Initiation of Raul Luis-Blanco
"Everyone got cool jobs for their initiation but all I got was my ass beat" - Raul Luis-Blanco, 2022	
==Trivia==
*In Hydra, "OG" is a rank that can be earned and also revoked, rather than a title reserved for Day 1 members.
*Hydra's "gang locals" all suspiciously resemble Mario.
*Claire Seducer, leader of the Angels, was the first person to be invited to Hydra Gang. She declined as she's loyal to the Angels.
*Arnie and Ace are known in Hydra as "Double A".
*In mid-late 2022, Hydra used to schedule family therapy sessions with Johnny Finnley every Friday.
*As of November 2022, Hydra had an HR department, headed by Bogo (and Justin "Victor" Bridges from the Angels).
*Hydra was the only gang in San Andreas that possessed two meth labs until October 3, 2022, when they lost their second lab.
*Hydra was the second gang to place 54 turf sprays, achieving the rank of "Powerful" in the Gang App.
*Hydra was the first group to successfully rob the Oil Rig. Coincidentally, they completed the heist on Mario's birthday.
*Hydra is the only gang in Los Santos who has Five 100% grade meth strains.
*According to Flippy, Chang Gang and the Angels are the only gangs in Los Santos that Hydra will not become lasting enemies with.
*As of October 2023, Hydra, in some capacity, has a hand in production and/or trafficking of every drug currently available in the city. This includes Methamphetamine, Heroine, Cocaine and Weed.
*As of December 8th 2023, Hydra owns the Heroine Lab. This key allows them to create and distribute H runs and make Heroine.
Category:3.0/Gangs
Category:3.0