Last Night on Novgorod: Hunger and Intellectual Pursuits

Novgorod Station
Deck E - Povel Vieregg

In the hushed confines of his accommodations cabin on the E-HAB Deck of Novgorod Station, Povel Vieregg navigated the sleek efficiency of his minimalist haven. Charcoal grey walls formed a backdrop for the intricate dance of holographic projections that filled the room. His non-magnetic carbon-fiber prosthetic left hand gracefully manipulated screens displaying his extensive research – quantum coding, synthetic human anatomy, and intricate brain maps. The slight hum of the fusion reactor reverberated through the compact space, serving as a constant companion to the dedicated scientist.

On a small shelf, next to a permanent framed Blackwood-Mori Interstellar flag, rested a unique relic of valor – the Nebula Star, a Medal of Honor bestowed upon Povel for unwavering courage on the day of his life-altering injury during his tenure as a ComTech Marine. There also was a framed photo displaying an ethereal extraterrestrial landscape, adorned by a happy couple captivated by the cosmic beauty. Povel's commitment to exploration and discovery echoed in the novel gracing the shelf, titled "Quantum Wanderings: A Psyche Odyssey," a blend of whimsy reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland and the complexities of neurology and human psychology. Meanwhile, scattered across the room, the holographic projections illuminated Nomad schematics, quantum codes, and synthetic brain intricacies, a testament to Povel's tireless efforts. There were also signs of his preparation for the Nomad mission, a tablet with Nomad systems and designs lay nearby, a tangible link to the journey ahead.

With a stylus in hand, Povel was pacing and working on the rough draft of something obviously important to him. He meticulously outlined the table of contents, capturing the essence of his research. After much contemplation, he settled on a sequence for the intricate quantum concepts:
- Optimal Stopping
- Explore/Exploit
- Sorting
- Caching
- Scheduling
- Bayes's Rule
- Overfitting
- Relaxation
- Randomness
- Networking
- Game Theory

Each chapter represented a node in the vast neural network of his thoughts, awaiting exploration within the pages of his ongoing work.

As his attention on the holographic projections dimmed, Povel felt the gnawing emptiness in his stomach, a symphony of hunger overpowering even the hum of technology. Saving and shutting down his equipment, he reluctantly tore himself away from the pulsating glow of his research haven. The room, once filled with the radiant aura of scientific inquiry, now became a silent, lonely chamber. Before leaving, he paused to retrieve the hard copy of the work of fiction from the shelf; he needed to return it to the store he rented it from. With the promise of sustenance and a mission waiting soon beyond the cabin door, Povel ventured into the station's corridors, carrying with him the weight of his intellectual pursuits.

Navigating the bustling corridors of E Deck in Novgorod Station, Povel found himself lost in the labyrinth of his own thoughts, the remnants of quantum codes and neural architectures still echoing in his mind. The station's occupants hurried past him, each engaged in their own tasks, but Povel's focus remained tethered to the challenging concepts that had consumed his attention moments ago. As he approached the book store, a fleeting image caught his eye – an attractive brunette woman, a distant echo of an e-comm profile from his Blackwood-Mori Interstellar days working in AI. The corridors shifted around him, but his subconscious clung to the illusion before it dissolved.

Entering the bookstore, Povel engaged in a brief yet pleasant exchange with the tired-looking shopkeeper. Returning the rented book, Povel, when asked about his opinion, offered an honest but subdued response, aware that the inquiry was more ritual than genuine interest. After some coaxing from the shopkeeper, Povel perused the store and ultimately settled on purchasing "The Screwtape Letters" by CS Lewis, a choice rooted in their previous conversation regarding incites into human behavior; a potential source of fiction which could provide reverse engineering insights into morality. Exiting the store, he steered his path towards sustenance, settling into the nearest bar to satiate the hunger that had been eclipsed by his intellectual pursuits.

As Povel took a seat, his attention was drawn to the same brunette woman from the bookstore, now receiving a drink down the bar counter. The cosmic dance of chance seemed to intertwine their paths, leaving Povel momentarily intrigued. With a nod to the bartender, Povel pondered the menu and settled on a nutrient-rich meal that promised both satisfaction and sustenance. He ordered water.