Mike was sitting in the command chair of the Yellow Terra contemplating his life over the last fifty years. The stars on the screen glittered like many diamonds set in a field of black velvet.

 "Like yesterday and the day before," He sighed. The clearance for departure wasn't for another three hours at sunrise, and the ship's clock was midday.

   What a life, first as a starry-eyed youth, Humph had plucked Mike out of a small farm; then began exploring the Galaxy. While he had seen only a fraction of it; he had nearly crept up to the Biblical 'use by date'.

 While still reminiscing Humph came into the cockpit and asked, "Penny for your thoughts?" 

 "Just thinking, about what it is worth," Mike said absently.

 Observing that it was much deeper, Humph asked, "If  talking helps I am all ears." Raising a chuckle when he changed into an enormous pair of ears with legs.

 Once the joke was made; Humph reverted to his 'Tom' persona. This shape had been his preferred aspect of recent years, rather than the big teddy bear. Now that he could speak and intermingle without restriction, a social-sized man fitted in better.

 "I am just reviewing the past, wondering if I have made a difference to the Galaxy and what to do for the time remaining," Mike said then reassured, "I am not about to kick the bucket or anything soon. The idea of retiring to watch Su knit doilies is not tempting either."

"That is good to hear, I wasn't looking forward to breaking in a new crewman," Humph said.

 "I am sure that you could do it," Mike said with a smile, "I suppose I am just a bit off because Su is away with Renee and our new grandson."

 "You know that a man depends on someone needing him to justify his worth," Mike added, "And a woman needs someone to look after."

"How about we pick up a pup next time we are home," Humph suggested.

 "And be stuck having it whine every time I step off the ship and be swamped with the greetings when I come back," Mike pointed out, "Besides I would then have the same problem because of the relative difference in lifespan. Before I met you, I have had to bury a couple of dogs, and while they weren't mine, it still hurt." 

"While it would seem that I could do everything myself, I do need company. I have found it helpful that you and humans in general, make intuitive leaps of thought. While I have advanced computing powers; making a 'breakthrough' is beyond my sight," Humph said, "When I locate an existing technology I can adapt it using the application of multiple attempts whereas it seems that you can spot the tweak without much effort." 

 "Thanks, I suppose I can't complain, the exercise regimen that you encourage is starting to take effect. When I visited home last time, big brother Tony was starting to look a little frayed around the edges and has retired from active farm work. Whereas I can take it easy with low G if I feel a bit jaded," Mike said, "I have heard that the yank's celebrated painter Grandma Moses didn't start painting seriously until nearly into her eighties and continued creating masterpieces for years."

 "There you go, I expect that we have many more years together, and I can keep dredging gems from your ideas," Humph said.

 After a few minutes of silent contemplation, Mike said, "To quote another anecdote. If you love what do, you never have to work a day in your life; I can raise my hand for that."

"And the other point about age is just how stiff you feel when making sudden moves," Mike continued, "So far I haven't noticed. Tony is walking like an old man, expecting the first step to hurt then is surprised if nothing falls off. Mind you I don't leap out bed as I did as a kid."

"I have been waiting for the best time to drop a pebble in the pond," Humph said, "The 'holy grail' I have been chasing is to find the truth behind our fables. So far it seems our original purpose in life was the ancillary equipment of an organic spaceship. Navigation computer, medical and systems technician, with a side occupation of environment suit. I suspect that some of the strange monsters of the galaxy are descendants of other parts; the asteroid worm and Salac, perhaps are from the spacecraft, the energy bats could be exo-techs initially to retrieve energy and mineral resources for the ship. The Zombie beast I am afraid is likely a cancerous  spacesuit which has become a life taker instead of a saver, a reason why my race instinctively eliminates all of those we find."

 "Since we have a medical aspect, I am aware of the psychological damage of seeming too 'godlike'. This possibility is the reason for the long winded explanation; I would make it clear that I am a computer designed by an intelligent being to perform functions that they consider trivial, same as you would use a hammer to drive a nail."

 "I would never think of you like that; I feel that you are my friend and mentor," Mike stated, "Though I guess you are about to drop the pebble?"

 "Yes, if you remembered the time a couple of years ago, you and Su suffered a radiation flash which put you in a critical condition?" Humph asked.

"Yes, it took a week before we were back on our feet," Mike replied.

"It was six months; I covered the gap by putting your minds into a couple of my mobile units. This routine was to shield you from the fact that you both were severely injured," Humph admitted, "Fooled you didn't I?"

"I find it hard to believe; the log only had a 7-day gap, felt a little wobbly as I remember," Mike said, "I wasn't puzzled by that."

 "Informing you just how serious your condition was, would have had dire mental consequences. If I had taken you to the best hospital available the prognosis was poor," Humph advised, "While you were in the meld with me I was able to repair all the damage; using your stem cells to rebuild the damage." 

"Sounds logical, I don't blame you for not telling me the details," Mike said, 'So why now?'

 "So the bad news is that you are as good as new, and the pair of you are going to be around for a long time yet," Humph said, "So there is no hurry in training up a replacement."

 "I hope that is the only 'bad' news you can drop on me?" Mike asked. 

 "I may have a little advice to Su when she gets back, perhaps a good idea if she resumes taking her contraceptives," Humph laughed, "I won't add too much detail, but an analysis of hormones is a natural function of my recycling process. Before she left, I was reading hormone levels consistent with thirty-year-old for you both."

"That should delight her," Mike said, "She was just getting used to the idea of being past women's problems. She may not be impressed." 

 "We will see, fingers crossed," Humph said.

 "Is that all just to divert me from my sombre mood?" Mike asked, "Telling a joke would have sufficed."

 "Perhaps she may find it amusing?" Humph asked.

 "Good luck with that. You can hide in your den and pretend that no-one is home, then leave me to catch the flack," Mike said sourly, "Okay I will take precautions until you drop the other shoe."

"I will recite my story to her and put her to sleep," Humph offered. 

 When Su returned, Humphs sat her down to explain the new status of her health.

"Remember when you had the radiation flash burns?" Humph began, when she nodded, "Rather than the week you may recall, it was six months while I healed you in the meld."

 "That is news, so what are you getting at?" Su asked.

 "I rebuilt you using stem cells and lately as these are having an effect of restoring you to an apparent age of twenty-five. I recommend that you resume taking your contraceptive pills," Humph explained.

"Oh how wonderful, just as I was getting used to not having to deal with the monthly fun," Su said, not impressed.

"That's the bad news, now I drop the other shoe," Humph said, "I get to have your company for many more years."

"Meaning?" Su asked.

"Since your apparent age is in the twenties, you still have a working life of another forty or fifty years," Humph advised.

 "That will take some time to digest, does Mike know?" Su asked, "And if so, why didn't he tell me?"

 "Nervous that you would blame him, while it is entirely my doing. Your condition was critical especially the psychological aspect," Humph said, "Now to explain my motives and background, I can entertain you for some time."

 "Well if it clears up your motives and settles my questions; go for it," Su said, "I will let you know if boredom sets in or I need a break."

 "As I explained to Mike, I am descended from an organic computer, which performed navigation, medical and technical tasks with a side job of environment protection. Therefore I am a complex tool designed to run a space ship. The medical aspect covers the psychological area which is why I have to tread lightly to avoid harm," Humph explained, "I had spent some time solo before meeting Mike, this wasn't satisfactory as I didn't have a valid purpose."

"If you're suggesting that our main function is as a glorified pet. Don't expect that would make me happy," Su said.

 "Do you consider Mike as your pet or vice versa?" Humph asked rhetorically and received a wry smile.

 "He is barely house trained, and he had better not suggest that role for me," Su laughed.

 "You are essential to the smooth running of the ship, and the pair of you keep me on my toes so to speak. I can look at something and only see the primary use; while either yourself or Mike can see multiple possibilities at a glance. Your revelation then gives me a task to make it work," Humph said.

"I forgive you this time," Su said, "Any more gems I should know about?"

 "I suggested to Mike that a pup would give him an additional purpose, but that didn't impress him," Humph said, "I haven't mentioned it as yet, I will be joined shortly by Junior who will be in my care for another eight years. I will be engaged in building another ship for him and his sister. Since you have been through this before, there should be no surprises."

 "Always a delight, all the fun of a new child without the dirty nappies and other delights," Su said with a smile.

"And I have someone to educate, that is not a burden," Humph said, "Any questions?" 

 "I will let you know. First I am going to give Mike a flea in his ear," Su said.

 "He should like that, though where are you going to find a flea?" Humph asked.

 "Metaphor," Su laughed, delighted to go one up on Humph.