James (Van Buren)

For other characters named James, see James.

Van Buren character
James
Image used as concept design for James in Boulder design document/3
Lore
Race	Human
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Boulder scientists
Role	Scientist
Gameplay
Location	Boulder Dome
Quests	Trade Holodisks to the Geeks
Appearances	Van Buren

The following is based on Van Buren design documents and is not canon.

James is one of the scientists living at the Boulder Dome in 2253.

Background

James is a programmer and is angry that ZAX is using up so many holodisks. He is also a self-centered liar and feels he's better than anyone else in the dome. He is wealthy, and keeps a pearl-handled revolver in his room. James is used to servants doing menial work for him. Despite his revolver, James doesn't like gunfire. He is also afraid of ghouls, especially of them entering the compound. James is a sheep in the face of authority, something Goddard likes to take advantage of, but not always for granted as James can sometimes be quite innovative when interpreting an order.

Although he didn't admit it, he was afraid to explore most of the Dome for himself. Despite this, when Xian discovered things he didn't, he was angry at the fact someone he considered below him should have the right to do so.

He, along with the rest of the scientists, was infected with a strain of Limit 115 while exploring one of the Dome's labs.

Relationships

James subservience extends only to authority, his attitude towards others is generally one from the viewpoint of someone spoiled. Xian originally saw a certain charm about James but quickly found out he was not so nice. She is concerned about his influence over Donald. She does not like James, but she is worried that he might put himself to sleep in one the Sleeper spheres, somewhere he spends his time just sitting. Agnes knows James has a gun, and worries about his "yes-man" nature towards Goddard and what he might be capable of to satisfy him. Also, Agnes, like Xian, has concerns over his influence on Donald.

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-Boys, 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.

Interactions with the player character

Interactions overview

Interactions
	This character starts quests.	Trade Holodisks to the Geeks

Quests

• Trade Holodisks to the Geeks: Talking to James, or indeed any of the scientists, will reveal ZAX's reliance on holodisks. The scientists only have 100 left, and they are being consumed at a rate of one a day. The countdown initiates upon finding out. The Prisoner can trade holodisks with the scientists to prevent them from running out and ZAX from cannibalizing itself.

Other interactions

• Should the Prisoner enter James' room and try to take items, he will ask him to stop twice, the third time he will leave, gather with the other scientists and convince Goddard to kick the Prisoner out of the dome.
• James is infected with the plague. If the Prisoner succeeds in creating a cure he would have been able to heal James and the other scientists.

Appearances

James was to appear only in Van Buren, the canceled Fallout 3 by Black Isle Studios.

References

Boulder Design Document Boulder design document(1, 2, 3, 4, 5) Characters Scientists Agnes · Donald · Goddard · James · Nina · Paul · Think tank · Xian · ZAX Truckers Billie · Eddie Galenski · Helen Wheels · Jack · Joshua · Ribera · Tanner · Tyler Jackals Banshee · Crazy Bitch · Howler Baggers Larsen Locations Boulder Train Station · Jackal camp · Baggers camp · Dead ghoul graveyard · Boulder Dome level 1 · Boulder Dome level 2 · Boulder Dome level 3 · Dome tunnels · ZAX Mainframe Quests Boulder Scientists Research or Write · Code Yourself Smarter · Defeat the Baggers/Larsen's Team · Destroy the Jackals · Destroy the Truck · Dope RadAway for Larsen · Dump Allies In the Dome · Establish Radio Contact & Trade With Denver · Find out about Wagner · Find out what ZAX is calculating · Fix Things in the Dome · Get the Medical Implants · Give Slaves to Boulder to Make Robobrains · Heal Helen's Kids · Jimmy the Cannibal · Quarantine the Glow Bugs · Research Plague Data · Robobrain a CNPC · Sleep Through Presper's Holocaust · Stabilize the Reactor · Take Computer Classes · Tell the BOS about the Dome · Trade Holodisks to the Geeks · Use Think Tank for Data