Red Rocket Corp,[Non-game 1] simply known as Red Rocket, was a pre-War company that operated a nationwide chain of filling stations for automobiles, characteristic for their Raygun Gothic architecture.
The company started its rise in an age when gasoline and diesel were still used as fuel.[1] The fossil fuel market crash and the beginning of the Resource Wars in 2052 and the invention of practical fusion energy cells in 2066,[Non-game 2][Non-game 3] Red Rocket expanded rapidly nationwide, offering fusion and coolant refilling services,[2] as an early adopter, though gasoline and diesel continued to be sold throughout franchise locations,[3] specifically to appeal to those who owned pre-atomic/non-converted vehicles.[Non-game 4] On the east coast, Red Rocket held a veritable monopoly on the market for this reason.[Non-game 5][Non-game 6] Many of its gas stations had the capacity to refill nuclear engines.[4]
Red Rocket was very conscious about their public image, particularly concern for the environment,[Non-game 7] as well as family friendliness.[5] While customers were treated with care, if any posed any threat to the family-friendly image of the company, they were to be eliminated.[6][Non-game 8] By 2076, customer satisfaction rates were stated to be extremely high.[Non-game 9] Employees were expected to make every effort to reduce waste. One element of these efforts was the annual Trashbusters Award given to Red Rocket stations and stores who demonstrated the greatest year-to-year waste reduction.[7] Trashbuster recommendations could be given via mailing Trashbuster Recommendation Card through standard shipping rates.[Non-game 10] At certain areas, inspections were skin-deep, however, and unscrupulous franchise operators could win it simply by dumping their waste out of sight.[8]
Services
Red Rocket stations provided refueling services for fossil fuel and later, for nuclear engines. The latter included refueling the onboard reactors and replacing the spent coolant. Coolant was available in at least two varieties: Coolant A ($103.99 per unit) and Coolant C ($113.99 per unit). Smaller stations, known as Automobile Service Stations, were little more than an awning with the characteristic rocket and filling pumps delivering fuel and coolant recharges from underground tanks, promising high-tech fuel with better competition than competitors.[9] Depending on the region, some stations were completely automated and others served as both a fuel station coupled with mechanic services.[Non-game 11] They also sold acetone and offered patent-pending "Premium Hi-Octane coolant."[Non-game 12]
Large Red Rocket stations went beyond the usual vending machines and included complete convenience stores with local and national brands, including Nuka-Cola soft drinks, slushies, tourist pamphlets, and Grey Tortoise cigarettes.[10][11][12] The facilities offered car washing services, frequently bundled with refueling, along with fully Automated Diners open 24/7, offering foods like burgers, made from bio-engineered ingredients, incorporating precise proportions and flawlessly seared beef.[13][14][15][Non-game 13] Clients could choose between full service by a station attendant, self-service, or automated service while robots provided car washes.[16]
At Red Rocket stations in the Capital Wasteland, at the base of a fueling station, where the gas pumps would be on an ordinary station, a dirty sign is visible that appears to say "Petroleum spirit. Highly flammable."
Red Rocket refueling stations are frequently near mechanic's workshops in the Capital Wasteland.
The Red Rocket Collectron's barks include information about the gas station chain.[Non-canon 1]
The Fallout: The Roleplaying Game Rulebook mentions the company, describing it as a mythic influence over the people of the wasteland due to its pervasive, persistent iconography, and notes that by 2077, Red Rocket held a virtual monopoly on the East Coast, after transitioning from fossil fuels to fusion power. Notably, it was also one of the companies who was concerned with its environmental reputation and took steps to reduce waste and look after its customers. Finally, it also explains that it has automated a large number of its stations and operations, reflecting the sorry state of the national economy due to the ongoing Sino-American War.[Non-canon 2][Non-canon 3][Non-canon 4][Non-canon 5]
At an unconfirmed date, Red Rocket had a vault installed underneath their headquarters, also known as Vaultopolis.[Non-game 14] The vault's location is discovered by the raider, Paula Plumbkin.
↑Fallout: The Roleplaying Game Rulebook p.231: "The ubiquity of Red Rocket and their brand imagery has given it something of a mythic influence over people of the wasteland, turning it into an icon of the safety and prosperity of a vanished age. In Megaton, for example, the Church of the Atom building is topped with a Red Rocket sign scrounged from one station or another. Rumors also circulate of a massive vault, Vaultopolis, built beneath the company’s headquarters building some time before the War. "
↑Fallout: The Roleplaying Game Rulebook p. 230: "Red Rocket got its start before the advent of fusion cells, and the influence of its initial reliance on fossil fuels remained even after it switched over to providing reactor fuel and coolant. By the time of the War, they held a virtual monopoly on the US East Coast, and their iconic stations can still be found in the wreckage of most communities. These range from tiny outposts, little more than a tattered awning over a depleted filling station, to massive truck stops with attached convenience stores and restaurants."
↑Fallout: The Roleplaying Game Rulebook p. 230: "During its heyday, Red Rocket was highly concerned with its environmental reputation, as a way of differentiating themselves from the rapacious reputation of most energy companies of the time. This resulted in strong customer-care and waste-reduction policies, which were sometimes observed with lethal enthusiasm."
↑Fallout: The Roleplaying Game Rulebook p. 230: "As the Resource Wars took their toll on the general economy and the energy market in particular, Red Rocket moved swiftly toward robotic staffing. By the time of the War, most of their locations were 100% automated. Some of them continue operating today, despite having no fuel in their tanks or food on their shelves."
Non-game
↑ Red Rocket Collectron: "Red Rocket's hi-octane coolant will have your car SHOOTING FOR THE STARS!Red Rocket Corp is not responsible for any injuries as the result of hi-octane coolant, restrictions may apply, drive responsibly" (Red Rocket Collectron's dialogue)
↑Fallout Bible 0: "2066 Summer "Adding further insult to the Chinese-American relations, the first crude fusion cell is unveiled, one of the results of the Power Armor project. Devices designed for the fusion cell begin to be manufactured. Incorporating fusion power into the general US infrastructure begins, but the process is too slow to supply power to the regions that need it. Nearly thirteen years later, few sections of the United States were supplied with fusion power."
↑Fallout Bible 5: "2066 Summer "Adding further insult to the Chinese-American relations, the first crude fusion cell is unveiled, one of the results of the Power Armor project. Devices designed for the fusion cell begin to be manufactured. Incorporating fusion power into the general US infrastructure begins, but the process is too slow to supply power to the regions that need it. Nearly eleven years later, few sections of the United States were supplied with fusion power."
↑ Red Rocket Collectron: "Got an old pre-Atomic clunker in the garage? No worries, Red Rocket still offers gas and diesel, at the lowest prices around." (Red Rocket Collectron's dialogue.txt)
↑The Art of Fallout 4 p. 319: "Red Rocket fuel stations continue to hold a monopoly on the market. While the logo and typeface may evolve, the iconic rocket is a constant design element of the stations."
↑Fallout: The Roleplaying Game Rulebook p. 230: "Red Rocket got its start before the advent of fusion cells, and the influence of its initial reliance on fossil fuels remained even after it switched over to providing reactor fuel and coolant. By the time of the War, they held a virtual monopoly on the US East Coast, and their iconic stations can still be found in the wreckage of most communities. These range from tiny outposts, little more than a tattered awning over a depleted filling station, to massive truck stops with attached convenience stores and restaurants."
↑ Red Rocket Collectron: "Our prices leave the competition up in smoke, but still keep the Earth clean... At Red Rocket, Mother Nature is at the helm." (Red Rocket Collectron's dialogue)
↑Fallout: The Roleplaying Game Rulebook p. 230: "During its heyday, Red Rocket was highly concerned with its environmental reputation, as a way of differentiating themselves from the rapacious reputation of most energy companies of the time. This resulted in strong customer-care and waste-reduction policies, which were sometimes observed with lethal enthusiasm."
↑ Red Rocket Collectron: "Last year, Red Rocket's customer satisfaction score shot through the roof... and to the MOON." (Red Rocket Collectron's dialogue)
↑ Red Rocket Collectron: "Think your local Red Rocket station is doing a STELLAR job taking out the trash? Well, Red Rocket recognizes our cleanest with the TRASHBUSTER Award.Send in a Trashbuster Recommendation Card today! Standard shipping rates apply." (Red Rocket Collectron's dialogue)
↑Fallout: The Roleplaying Game Rulebook p. 230: "As the Resource Wars took their toll on the general economy and the energy market in particular, Red Rocket moved swiftly toward robotic staffing. By the time of the War, most of their locations were 100% automated. Some of them continue operating today, despite having no fuel in their tanks or food on their shelves."
↑ Red Rocket Collectron: "Is your car taking ages to get going? Well, we'll help your car start like new with Red Rockets Premium Hi-Octane coolant.Availability limited, patent pending, safety testing still on going. Injuries and death as a result of use are not the responsibility of Red Rocket." (Red Rocket Collectron's dialogue)
↑ Red Rocket Collectron: "And for the little space travelers, Red Rocket's Automated Diners are scientifically proven to cook the best burgers in the galaxy. Stop by for a bite from the FUTURE!" (Red Rocket Collectron's dialogue)
↑Fallout: The Roleplaying Game Rulebook p.231: "The ubiquity of Red Rocket and their brand imagery has given it something of a mythic influence over people of the wasteland, turning it into an icon of the safety and prosperity of a vanished age. In Megaton, for example, the Church of the Atom building is topped with a Red Rocket sign scrounged from one station or another. Rumors also circulate of a massive vault, Vaultopolis, built beneath the company’s headquarters building some time before the War. "