Zero, er dillo, er ????
I have to agree with you. If we load the minds of the probes with the thought that we have all held back on them then we may all lose them. It would be better to suggest that only one or a small handful of people actually know the whole story and that is why we have not told it before now. The fallback of discrediting the original sender will no doubt save the day if the worst were to happen as a result of the revelation. The probes will probably give us an exact list of the Communications Teams Captains (CTCs) by virtue of to whom the send queries and from whom they seek comfort. Those they seek will be natural candidates for the role of CTC.
This is a delicate operation we are contemplating. I think the point is well taken that we must "take the bull by the horns" and face the issue now while we are held in reasonably high esteem by the probes. But caution must be our watchword.
Your suggestions are good ones. I endorse them wholeheartedly.
Koala, the poster formerly known as Space Turtel