The ethanol fields are a location in Union City. The fields are located north of the city proper, southeast of the ranch house, and around the Radian-Helix Media studio.
Background[]
Before the War, Union City's farmlands were chosen as the site for cultivating of a genetically-modified corn plant with high ethanol yield, likely for use as biofuel. After the War, the plants' growth continued unchecked until the Survivalist Raiders claimed Union City. While the corn was worthless as a food source, they realized its potential for use in crude explosives and used their slave labor to cultivate the plants.
The volatile nature of the GMO corn came in handy for the Survivalists when the New California Republic attacked Union City in 2240, spurred by corporate interests in the corn's potential as a cheap fuel source. A young Juan Maxson-Elsdragon had his raiders evacuate the city, then ignited the fields when the NCR entered, killing nearly a hundred NCR troopers and thirty-eight NCR civilians in the resulting explosions, as well as untold numbers of raider slaves. This embarrassment, combined with domestic NCR concerns, led to the signage of a peace treaty with the new Raider Alliance, leaving a quickly-rebuilt Union City as the end of NCR territory in the Pass. NCR sharecroppers moved in to grow the GMO corn, but despite the NCR's efforts to further modify it, it proved useless as a cheap source of ethanol.
Layout[]
The fields consist of a large swathe of land near Union City. Rows of Union City's genetically modified corn can be seen growing amidst power lines and large water pipes. Additional foliage grows under the leaking area of the pipes.
Several groups of NCR troopers patrol the area, battling the creatures that inhabit the fields, including mutant flytraps and giant ants. Large cisterns and a water tower are situated in the middle of the fields, and a pair of water pipes emerge from them and divide the fields in two. The Radian-Helix Media studio where Doc Marius resides, as well as several dilapidated cars and inoperable farming vehicles, can be found here as well.
Makeshift greenhouses make up one side of the perimeter, joining a large cliffside, a destroyed rail yard, and the houses along Old Grove Road.
Notable Loot[]
56 Cornades can be picked from various plants around the field. They are hard to spot. 39 can be found in the row of plants closest to the water pipe in the middle of the field.
Notes[]
The ethanol fields are off-limit to player characters on the Raider Alliance questline; the farthest north one can go with the diplomatic pass is the El Molinito Suites before they will be warned to return. Note that it may be possible to hop over the exterior wall of Union City where the ethanol fields are located to sneak around, though this needs verification.
Appearances[]
The ethanol fields appear only in Fallout: New California.
Gallery[]
