You started with the Fibonacci sequence—most folks do—but we don’t mind. The symphonies, the pulsar map, the nudity—those we enjoyed. So we hurried.

We timed this message to arrive just before we’ll get to you.

We come in peace.

Full stop. Retract. Email recall.

We must apologize. It wasn’t until we cleared the asteroid debris that we could see: not cloud cover across your planet’s face but smog.

That we could hear your radio: living conditions nearly designed in opposition to composing symphonies or studying pulsars.

We wish you well, truly, but we’ll keep moving on.