Three short flashes, three long flashes, three short flashes, the anomaly was first noticed at Base Stjerne off the Bering Straits. Dr. Hans Arnesen at first thought he was hungover. Damn Nilssen and his liquid refreshments, Hans thought as he popped a couple of Advils.

Hans compared his screens again. Three short flashes, three long flashes, three short flashes, Farfarout the farthest planetoid that could be detected from Earth was blinking. Screaming, Hans ran to wake his supervisor. Soon other observation posts reported the same phenomenon. Astronomers palpitated with excitement. Some governments assembled officials to debate the unknown behind closed doors. In the news the unknown phenonomen splashed across screens and sizzled away.

Five days later, Pluto began to flicker in the same pattern. A weary, epidemic jaded populace raised an eyebrow. Three short flashes, three long flashes, three short flashes, the pattern told the story that this was no quirk of nature. This was first contact of the first kind. An alien race with incredible unknown power was attempting to communicate. Pluto went viral. Talking heads debated. The United Nations went into emergency session. Coca Cola announced a new soda, Pluto Pop.

Five days later, the moon began to blink. The world erupted. Stadiums filled with the faithful and the fearful as priests of all kinds preached. Three short flashes, three long flashes, three short flashes, the urgent moon implored as people ran pell mell to get bread, milk, eggs, and toilet paper. Countries with nuclear weapons went on high alert. Borders closed. Stores were emptied. Violence sparked spreading around the globe like wild fire.

Four days, 23 hours, and 55 minutes later, Dr. Hans Arnesen stared up at the periwinkle sky. At Base Sukui, his entire team had gathered with scientists from the other North Pole research bases. Hans clinked a mug of elderberry vodka with with Nilssen. Hans wondered what could scare a more technically advanced civilization enough to come to Earth for help. One of the Americans put on “So Many Stars,” by Sarah Vaugh. Reaching out, he hugged someone and they looked up. Alien arks, city-sized glowing cubes, entered our stratosphere blinking three short flashes, three long flashes, three short flashes.