Star Paladin Cross

Star Paladin Cross is a possible companion NPC in Fallout 3, found at the Citadel in 2277.

Background
Star Paladin Cross is a member of the Brotherhood of Steel who answers directly to Elder Lyons. Formerly, she was directed to protect the player's father, James, on his missions, and because of this, she desires to fight alongside the player.

According to the Fallout 3 Official Game Guide, Cross was "technologically enhanced", after she was critically injured while defending Elder Lyons in the field. Scribe Rothchild performed the enhancement operation that saved her life. The game guide also states that she is now a cyborg, which is why she never eats or sleeps and does not need to. Whether or not this information is correct is dubious. Neither Cross, nor any other NPC, ever mention anything about her being a cyborg, and she can be seen drinking and eating in the Citadel Lab.

Interactions with the player character
Star Paladin Cross can be recruited as a follower, and interacted with as such.
 * When you first meet Cross make sure to be polite and don't insult her or your father. If you do this she refuses to follow you and you miss your chance for a good follower.
 * With the Broken Steel DLC installed, after completing Take it Back! you will be able to ask her to join you once again, despite previously insulting James (but the positive Karma check still applies).

Equipment

 * Cross' default equipment consists of a Super Sledge, Laser Pistol and the Brotherhood of Steel Power Armor.


 * Cross can be given a variety of weapons. Considering her Brotherhood training, she will switch between weapons to fit the situation, and is effective with Big Guns, Small Guns and Energy Weapons. She will wear any armor better than her own - the only sets of which seem to be Enclave Power Armor, T-51b Power Armor (And its winterized version), Tesla Power Armor, Outcast Power Armor, and Enclave Hellfire Armor.


 * Being a member of the Brotherhood, logically Cross is always following the organization's main agenda: searching out new weapons and technology. She will sometimes loot certain bodies before the player can get to them, especially if they carry energy weapons or other advanced technology.


 * Cross's maximum carrying capacity is 198 pounds. Note that in her case, the default Super Sledge and Power Armor count against her total carry weight, which makes actual total carry weight less than her maximum.


 * Cross is one of the NPCs that can be equipped with the Tesla Cannon.

Combat

 * Even though she regenerates her health after a battle, Cross can apply stimpaks on her own during combat if they are given to her via dialogue.


 * With her high health and Power Armor, Cross is extremely tough. She can even take several direct missile hits before dying in combat. If given exceptionally well-maintained armor, she rivals Fawkes in staying power. Furthermore, unlike Fawkes, Star Paladin Cross sneaks when the player does, making her useful for stealth-based characters.


 * Cross is also incredibly destructive with the Tesla Cannon due to her energy weapons skill.

Quotes

 * "There is a foul stench on the wind. Let us not tarry for long."
 * "I shall reflect on battles past and battles to come until your return."
 * "In the words of Elder Theus: a Brother well-equipped is a brother keeping to his duty."
 * "Helping the people of the Wasteland is of the utmost to the Lyons Doctrine."
 * "Make no mistake; Your father would be proud of what you have done."
 * "Hmm, must have been a glitch."

Appearances
Cross appears only in Fallout 3.

Bugs

 * Sometimes, if Cross dies in battle, you will receive a message many in-game weeks later, stating that "Star Paladin Cross has returned to the Citadel."(confirmed on Xbox 360 and PC)


 * If you have Star Paladin Cross as a Follower when taken by the Enclave after retrieving the GECK in Vault 87 she may disappear from the game.


 * After downloading Broken Steel, Cross seems to have trouble following you: she will stay in the Citadel until you have completed the main quest. If she is not back at the lab, then it's possible she is stuck in the hospital located in the B Ring of the Citadel. This is the location where you first wake up at the start of Broken Steel. Even after you get her to follow you again, telling her to wait somewhere will present a similar challenge. Reloading a previous save seems to help.
 * There is a partial solution for PC users on Broken Steel Bugs page.


 * If you have Dogmeat with you, Star Paladin Cross will join you despite Fawkes being your partner. (confirmed Xbox 360, PS3)
 * If you have exploited the two follower glitch, Cross may disappear from the game upon completion of Take it Back. If you have the PS3 or 360 version of Fallout 3, the only way that I have found to correct this error is to download The Pitt and travel there. All of your companions are automatically fired and you will receive a message stating that "Star Paladin Cross has returned to the Citadel" (this would probably work with Point Lookout and Mothership Zeta as well since the same thing happens).