Sydney

Sydney is a mercenary who specialized in relic hunting in the year 2277, and a temporary companion in Fallout 3.

Background
Sydney is an independent mercenary who specializes in obtaining relics. She prefers going for the more dangerous scores (like the Declaration of Independence) and takes risks. She is beautiful, but finds men approaching her irritating. She is a loner. She prefers not speaking about her dark past. When she was very young, her mother was raped and killed by raiders. She spent years perfecting her combat skills and never welshes on a deal.

As a child, Sydney was orphaned when her father was killed during a weapons trade off at the Statesman Hotel. She had to wander D.C. alone, but she was able to handle herself because her father had taught her how to handle and maintain guns, and to upgrade them since she was young. Sydney then became a relic hunter and did some work for Abraham Washington. In her own words: "After he loaded me up with caps, I got piss drunk, got laid and was happy for the first time in a while. I haven't looked back since."

Interactions overview
 * If she finishes the quest alive and makes it to Underworld.

Quests

 * Stealing Independence: Sydney is encountered in the Rotunda of the National Archives. She can become a temporary companion until the quest is completed.

Effects of player's actions

 * Bragging Rights: If the Lone Wanderer refuses to team up with Sydney in the National Archives, she and her friend Emaline will attack in a random encounter, stating that she save your ass in the rotunda, which is a lie. Defending yourself will result in bad karma.
 * A note from Little Moonbeam's father is a note Sydney's father left her when he was dying in the Statesman Hotel. If given it to her after she tells her story, she will give the Lone Wanderer her 10mm "Ultra" SMG. (This process can be repeated as many times as one likes. Simply reselecting the conversation option about Sydney's father gives the player character access to an infinite supply of Sydney's 10mm "Ultra" SMGs.)
 * This exploit has since been fixed as of Patch 1.7.
 * If Sydney remains alive at the end of the quest, she will travel from Rivet City to the Ninth Circle in Underworld and set up shop as a vendor, stating that she likes to hang out at Underworld because the ghouls do not constantly hit on her.
 * When the random encounter happens after the events in the rotunda, killing her in self defense will result in negative Karma.

Appearances
Sydney appears only in Fallout 3.

Behind the scenes

 * Sydney is a reference to the character Sydney Fox from the TV show Relic Hunter.
 * She is called "My little moonbeam" by her father. However, in the Spanish edition, it became "Mi rayito de sol," which correctly translates, from Spanish to "My little sunbeam." The reason for the change is unclear, as it could just as easily have been: "Mi rayito de luna: My little moonbeam."

Bugs

 * There is an exploit that makes it possible to receive an unlimited supply of Sydney's 10mm "Ultra" SMG in perfect condition and 10mm ammunition.
 * You can't pickpocket Sydney after recruiting her - neither during the quest nor after completing it. You just get the "talk" option when crouching.
 * When she's in the bar in Underworld she can sometimes die, and will be slumped over on the floor. It is unknown what causes this.
 * Sydney will sometimes not appear in Underworld.
 * In case Sydney does not appear in Underworld, she might be found in the entrance of Anacostia Crossing station from Rivet City's side. If the tunnel has not been cleared, she could get killed and never reach Underworld.