Chapter 15 Part 3

Uzine averted his eyes. "Then, if I may ask, Hiro, what is it that you are? I do not wish to offend one such as yourself!"

"The best way to think of me, Uzine, is as an interested party." Hiro stopped and a sly smile crossed his face. "Consider me an interested party with unique abilities from your perspective."

"So should I worship you then?" asked Uzine.

"Worshiping me would distract from my purpose, and it is not something I would seek, no. In fact, worshiping me would be the same as worshiping yourself."

"Oh Hiro," began Uzine, "I cannot begin to do the miracles you have done here. How could you be anything like me? 

"Well, Uzine, I am something that those who would claim to be your makers and masters never counted on. I was one of the first chimeras, yes. Yet, all chimeras are a part of me. We share a common soul. When the biological programmers who make us program in their parameters, they hijack the process of procreation. However, no one has power to control a soul besides the Original Programmer. The hubris of the biological programmers is to assume that because they produce beings that look physically distinct that they are producing unique souls. I possess the wisdom and accumulated spiritual innocence of the chimeras who have been produced, which brings us to you, Uzine."

"What do I possibly have to do with all of this, Hiro? I am not even sure of what this thing you call a soul is."

Hiro placed his hand firmly upon Uzine's shoulder. 

"Your inability to recognize the wording is understandable. Consider the twitches you felt. Do you think all chimeras feel them? They do not. You are the first of your kind to feel such a twitch. You are the culmination of a process of genetic programming that has resulted in a collective soul awareness. You are the first chimera to feel such an awareness, but it will not be long before many others do."

"I do not believe that I am so great, Oh Hiro."

"Modesty is a virtue, unless taken to excess, then it becomes nothing but a mere hindrance to the perception of truth. The words I have spoken to you are true. Would you deign to call me a liar?"

Uzine flinched at the accusation.

"No, HIRO, no. I am sorry for my rash words."

"Do not worry, Uzine. I said that I came here to give you a choice, and so I shall. As the first of you kind, you have the ability to set the tone of the path subsequent chimeras follow. It is possible for you to die now out of despair, yes. If you choose to do this, however, other chimeras who have your awareness will tend also to be prone to despair. On the other hand, should you choose a difficult quest, you have the ability to obtain freedom and to set the  minds of other chimeras after you to do the same. The choice is entirely up to you."