So I stroll up to the NCR forgetting to wear my Powder Gang disguise and I am immediately attacked by Dawes and 4 of his pals. So I run as I am pretty weak at the time. I come back later in the game to find that Dawes is no where to be found. I wait around hoping that he will come out of the facility so I can get the key, but he never does. Does anyone know if there are specific times of the day when he is on post, where he may have gone, or if he is gone forever? I would like to get into that facility and this is kind of irritating.

They may have strolled too far from the last spot they followed you to and inadvertedly been killed, therefore your only option to get in is via a console command or to talk to the Lieutenant in the NCR tent outside Primm about recapturing the prison(they provide another entrance).

Your best bet is to track your steps and hopefully find them, however ensure you have your disguise.

The problem I forsee is that Dawes is meant to be by the prison door, and he can see through disguises so I hope you have already paid him 100 caps to get in or next time you meet him, say further in the desert, he will think he is guarding his post and attack you already.

From there I don't even think waiting 3 days would help.

Reno

I'd recommend searching the area where you fled to, or the direction you went. As somebody mentioned, they may have followed you and gotten killed.

I found him just strolling around just East of the NCR. Not sure what he was doing there but when I found him three more of his pals showed up. Then out of nowhere Victor appeared and starting effing them up. When I spoke to Victor I got the option to ask him why he was in Novac....weird.