- “[...] Ethics has no place in the laboratory.”
- —Entry 4
Dr. Lydia Bernard is a disgraced researcher associated with the New California Republic who serves as one of the main antagonists in Fallout: DUST, being one of the people responsible for the Fall.
Overview[]
It is assumed that Bernard, in her then role as Assistant Head Researcher of Dr. Edwin Royst, together with him and with support and blessing of the NCR started investigating into possible cures for radiation sickness using gene therapy and gene modification in research facilities originally established in Vault 21, but subsequently moved to the Lucky 38.
Convinced, that proper research requires leaving the ambit of decency, she and Royst engaged in conducting experiments of highly questionable ethics, only to be temporarily interrupted by the NCR's request to improve on weaponizing of The Cloud, developing it into what was confidentially named "T.C.W.".
With the events of The Fall putting an end to their joint research, and Royst being trialed for his part in the experiments, Bernard, also being under suspicion, now as lead researcher of the Royst-Bernard Expedition tries to recover and improve their former work - again putting aside any ethical concerns in favor of her research, up to and including planning the murder of the presiding judge of Royst's trial, Elizabeth Ware in order to be able to continue undisturbed.
Headquartered at Black Mountain, she is coordinating the expeditions efforts, where she can be confronted by the Survivor.
Trivia[]
- In-game, the NPC supposedly representing Lydia Bernard is simply named "Researcher"
- Despite being one of the main antagonists in Fallout: DUST, quite possibly the only named one present in the Mojave, looting her will only yield a Lab Technician Outfit and a Plasma Pistol (apart from lore)