Nora stood before the United Nations assembly in Geneva, looking out at the sea of stunned faces. The world's leaders sat in silence, processing her presentation revealing the decrypted cetacean messages and the subsequent dialogue with an extraterrestrial intelligence that admitted to altering whale and human evolution.

The partial transcripts flashing on the giant screens contained earth-shattering admissions. But Nora had framed them in terms of mutual understanding and consensual integration, per the guidelines drafted with her team. She understood this revelation had to empower humanity, not engender resentment.

"They seem to value life and learning as we do," Nora concluded. "But we cannot ignore the ethics of their methods. However, blame gets us nowhere. We must build a dialogue of equals, one civilization to another."

After she stepped down, a din of voices erupted across the hall. Some officials called for ceasing communication given the manipulations revealed. Others seemed too overwhelmed to respond coherently.

The Secretary-General called for order and asked Nora if she wished to address the body again. She nodded and returned to the podium.

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"I know you all have concerns," she said. "As do I. But we cannot hide from a truth now exposed. The wisest path is the one traveled together."

The Chinese delegate spoke next. "You ask much trust from us. Perhaps these beings intended their secrets unveiled now. We see weakness, they see potential."

"Trust must be earned, that is true," Nora answered carefully. "Our response must be thoughtful, unified, strong. But also open to possibility. Only time and courage will light the way."

Other officials echoed both hope and skepticism. Nora was not naive - revelations of such influence could shatter societies. But she had faith humanity could integrate this new truth about its past while retaining fierce independence regarding its future.

Finally, the assembly agreed to appoint a special diplomatic envoy to establish formal communication with the extraterrestrial intelligence, under United Nations jurisdiction. Nora and her team would guide the process.

After the crowd dispersed, Nora let out a deep breath she felt she had held for lifetimes. Amir hugged her tightly. "I'm so proud of you," he whispered. "Your father would be too."

Nora smiled, allowing herself a moment of relief. The truth had landed like a breaching whale, creating massive waves. But new shores awaited if humanity chose to steer toward them together. This chance only came once in a species' lifetime. The stars still called from afar - but tonight, they felt a little closer at hand.