Agnes ( Van Buren ) Agnes is one of the scientists at the Boulder Dome in 2253 . Background . Agnes is a squat , round older woman with short hair , barely graying , but overly attractive . Born a tribal , and sent to university by her leader parents since they wanted to join NCR , and now specializes in biology and as a doctor . A good manipulator , but only to help people . She hates being trapped in the Dome , wants to see the sky again and misses her tribe and family , but sees the students and truckers as a surrogate . Agnes is also dying of a secret sickness , so may decide to robobrain herself in order to help keep things working at Boulder . < ref name = " Sci / Agnes " > Boulder design document / 3 - Agnes < / ref > In 2249 Agnes was a frequent diplomat from the scientific community to the NCR government , most notably President Tandi , and as such the preferred leader for Victor Presper ' s expedition to the Boulder Dome , with a stop - off at Hoover Dam . She was ordered to recruit a particular list of grad students for the expedition and left just two days before the NCR congressional building was destroyed . Travel was hard after that , only by circuitous routes and careful display of her " diplomatic immunity " pass is Agnes ' expedition able to reach Hoover Dam a year later . She eventually encountered Goddard and with his contacts and available resources , most notably a military escort and Eddie Galenski with his reinforced truck , they reach the Dome . She is the reason Goddard knows about the suspicious happenings that occurred as Agnes set out . She , along with the rest of the scientists , was infected with a strain of Limit 115 while exploring one of the Dome ' s labs . Relationships . Agnes feels affection for Paul , mostly like a stray son , she realizes he has particular quirks and wants to help him make sense of the world . She suspects he has an addiction to Mentats and is concerned about his health and isolationism . She likes Xian but wishes she ' d watch her temper with others . They get along well and confide in each other . She knows James has a gun and doesn ' t quite trust him to do the right thing , especially with his " yes - man " attitude to Goddard . Donald once lectured Agnes , that annoyed her , but she likes him . However , she is concerned about his subservient nature and the influence James has over him . Daily schedule . The scientists have a meticulous daily routine . After waking up they check the power conduits to the food supply , testing the mix . After that they check for anything that needs immediate attention followed by a health check including blood samples and a complete physical , logging it into to the computer to study the plague . They check the safety seals in their respective areas and regroup to inspect their protective suits before putting them on and re - inspecting each other ' s suits . The scientists check their Pip - Boy s , log the routine and perform a perimeter walk of Levels 1 - 3 . They log Presper ' s activity and check on ZAX , getting a report . Finally , they check on the fusion plant and assess the perimeter of the complex for leaks or possible break - ins . After all of this they will try to spend at least an hour learning something about the Dome and the curriculum . Notes . Agnes kept a journal during her expedition which can be found and read by the Prisoner . She also kept her diplomatic pass , even though it would only be useful in areas under NCR control . Appearances . Agnes was to appear only in " Van Buren " , the canceled " Fallout 3 " by Black Isle Studios .