Nora stood before the full team she and Amir had now assembled - experts in cryptography, marine biology, anthropology, and psychology. They had gathered in the hidden basement of a remote research station, all missing weeks of work and family to unravel the message's secrets. Each mind offered another light in the darkness.

Nora cleared her throat, overcome with emotion. "You are here because we trust you. What we share today cannot become public knowledge. I ask only that you listen with open minds, then help us ethically assess what humanity's response should be."

She and Amir took turns explaining the anomalous whale recordings, the decryption process, and the unsettling conclusions they had reached about the message's origins and intent. Nora noticed looks of skepticism slowly give way to contemplative concern as the evidence mounted.

"Speculation aside, here is what we know," Nora concluded. "One - something has influenced whale evolution and behavior for centuries in ways that accelerated intelligence. Two - this entity has been observing humanity's development, concerned we will not reach our cognitive potential without intervention. Three - they likely did this without humanity's knowledge or consent."

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She paused as the team absorbed those facts. Professor Mariam Singh, the psychologist, spoke up first.

"Assuming this is all true, we cannot ignore that such knowledge could profoundly damage human self-perception," Mariam said. "The feeling of being scientifically 'uplifted' by an advanced race conflicts with our notions of identity and agency. We must tread very carefully."

The others nodded, glancing around at the secretive surroundings that shielded humanity from a disruptive truth. Nora felt the weight of their hidden mission.

"I agree we should be cautious," she said. "But we cannot bury this out of fear. Our goal must be to understand their full motives in order to make informed decisions. Only through knowledge can we act, not react."

More discussions followed about whether to attempt active communication, alongside ethical concerns. They left unresolved for now. After the team departed, only Nora and Amir remained in the darkened basement.

"Do you ever wish we had just let the song fade back into the ocean?" Nora asked quietly.

Amir gave a sad smile. "Sometimes, yes. But we chose this path for a reason, even if the destination remains unclear."

Nora nodded. To turn back now would be to admit ignorance was the wiser choice. But having heard the faint call from the stars, she knew there was only one direction left. Into the unknown they must go.