Re: KOTFE main Companions bug
Once you start Fallen Empire you lose access to your companions. This is not a bug but intended design. There is even a warning that states that before you start the chapter that you have to click Accept to.
The only way to get them back would be to proceed with the Fallen Empire story all the way through Chapter IX. Once you complete that chapter and have access to the Odessan base, there is a terminal you gain access to that allows you to get your old companions back right away.
You can complete the story and many of them return during the story as you play it but the soonest you can get them back is after you complete chapter IX and use the companion terminal.
