"As everyone can see, the urgent need for an efficient communication system has been resolved.
As the people of my greatest trust, what I want from you is the following: with a new coding system that will be sent in every message, I need you to be capable of reading any message sent.
This type of coding I call Morse code. Next, to each of you I will hand a code table so that you familiarize yourselves with it in the best possible way."
André gave a sheet to each of those present, which contained a code table.
**Code table:**
**Letters**
A: .- N: -. 0: -----
B: -... O: --- 1: .----
C: -.-. P: .--. 2: ..---
D: -.. Q: --.- 3: ...--
E: . R: .-. 4: ....-
F: ..-. S: ... 5: .....
G: --. T: - 6: -....
H: .... U: ..- 7: --...
I: .. V: ...- 8: ---..
J: .--- W: .-- 9: ----.
K: -.- X: -..-
L: .-.. Y: -.--
M: -- Z: --..
**Numbers**
0: ----- 5: .....
1: .---- 6: -....
2: ..--- 7: --...
3: ...-- 8: ---..
4: ....- 9: ----.
**Punctuation and special symbols**
.: .-.-.- ,: --..-- ?: ..--.. /: -..-. -: -....-
(: -.--. ): -.--.- ": .-..-. ': .----. =: -...-
+: .-.-. &: .-... $: ...-..- @: .--.-. _: ..--.-
!: -.-.-- ;: -.-.-. [: -.--. ]: -.--.-
"Rose, you are responsible for making this table reach all the high commands of the army, the navy, and the government of the entire territory.
Now their priority is to familiarize themselves with these symbols, since times of war are coming. It is of the utmost importance to have a secure communication system.
Emphasize the importance of memorizing everything in each one of them. Once memorized, they must burn the paper I am giving them."
André gave this task to Rose with a very serious face.
"You can be certain, André, that I will fulfill the task you have entrusted to me to perfection."
"I trust that you will."
Everyone in the room observed the paper they had in their hand very seriously.
"What do you mean by 'times of war are coming,' André?" It was Alicia who asked this question with a face full of concern, attracting the attention of the others in the room, who had overlooked that word.
"Now that all the people of my trust are here, I will take advantage to tell you. I have just received information: the Count of Blair is gathering his army. It is estimated that within a month and a half they will invade our territory."
His words caused a wave in the hearts of all those present.
"What?!"
"How is that possible?"
"What are we going to do?"
"With what motives?"
The hall became animated with different reactions: concern, fear, powerlessness, and firmness.
"According to the informants, the Count of Blair's excuse for invading us has to do with our invasion toward the Viscounty of Clun."
With André's words, the majority of those present fell silent. They had some opinions about André's actions in this matter.
"That is ridiculous. All our actions were within the legal framework of the kingdom." Grace raised her voice, dissatisfied with the vain excuses of the Count of Blair.
"Of course it is true, but there were many loopholes in the motives for which we invaded the Viscounty of Clun, and the Count of Blair took advantage of them. Right now is not the moment to discuss that; we must seek solutions." It was Sofía who said this, surprising many of those present, including André. He had not expected her to be capable of focusing on the important part of the matter.
"André, what if I write to my brother so that he intercedes for us before the Count of Blair?" It was Aunt Beth who said these words. It should be known that her brother was a duke of the kingdom. If he spoke directly with the count, the latter would have to stop his actions.
"There is no need, Mom."
"It is not necessary, Aunt."
"I don't believe we have to do this, Aunt."
Three voices said this in unison, attracting the attention of everyone in the hall.
It was Rose, Grace, and Alicia who objected a moment earlier. André smiled upon seeing this: it demonstrated the confidence they had in him.
"Hmm hmm." Clearing his throat, André diverted the attention toward them. "As the three girls said, you need not trouble yourself, Aunt Beth.
I fully trust that if the count dares to invade our territory, all that awaits him is a disastrous defeat. Soon all of you will see the power of our army.
So you need not worry about this matter. I was only informing you a moment ago."
With that, the words of everyone in the hall fell silent. All that remained for them was to wait to see André's performance in the next war.
"That is all I wanted to speak to you about. Everyone may leave and occupy yourselves with your affairs."
Upon being dismissed from the room, everyone left, leaving André alone reclining at his desk.
**Change of scene**
Reclining at his desk, while half-closing his eyes, André managed to hear the side door of his study opening.
"You could have come a moment ago. You don't have to always be in the shadows."
"I prefer it this way."
"Do you know? I don't treat you as my subordinate. You will always be part of my family."
"I know."
"When you came to me to offer your services I was truly surprised. A central intelligence office was only on the papers of my desk. At that moment I had a headache; I did not know to whom to delegate this important mission.
Then it surprised me even more that you already had a well-formed body for said organization. You even already had agents deployed in neighboring territories. There I knew that you were a talent."
"I am honored to fulfill your expectations."
"But why did you take so long? Were you testing me?"
"No, that was not my intention. You know I was having a hard time at that moment. What you did for me took a great weight off my heart."
"Although you know it is not that I did it for you especially. They were the circumstances of the moment."
"It does not matter; I will always be grateful to you."
"Oh, then let's get to the main subject. What did you want to ask? If it were not so, you would not have come when you had nothing new to report, Aunt Lucía."
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