The Crystal Crypt, 1954. Philip K. Dick.

 

Do you ever find yourself missing a moment in time that you didn’t experience? The Crystal Crypt made me nostalgic for times past. However, I will save those thoughts for my conclusion. The Crystal Crypt was first published in 1954’s January edition of Planet Stories.

In the future, Earth and Mars are on the verge of war. As the last spaceship leaves Mars, Martian soldiers fail to uncover a trio of saboteurs, who they believe are responsible for destroying an entire city on the red planet. Safely on their journey back to Terra Firma, a business name named Thatcher slowly begins to learn the absolute truth from three of its mysterious passengers.

The Crystal Crypt is now in the public domain and is therefore freely available to read, share and download. Please click on the link below to read the full short story.

The Crystal Crypt, Philip K. Dick, 1954.

I enjoyed the mythology of Mars and this almost primitive ideology of the world the Martians occupied. Everything on Mars felt gritty, and I imagined this world in vibrant colours. I think this is where Philip K. Dick starts to create a mood that is falling away from his fifties style of writing. The world he was explaining to me felt tangible. However, it also felt like a deadline was imminent, and this story had to be wrapped up before it even began.

“An ancient, sun-baked City, a City set in the middle of a wasted plain, beyond groves of dead trees, a City seldom seen by Terrans—but a City studied on maps and charts in every War Office on Terra. A City that contained, for all its ancient stone and archaic towers, the ruling group of all Mars, the Council of Senior Leiters, black-clad men who governed and ruled with an iron hand.” 

What intrigues me is the contrast that I felt aboard the last spaceship to Earth. Now, my opinions are my own, and I could be completely wrong, but this is how the story plays out to me. Well, I guess there can’t be any right or wrong. It’s our interpretation that makes it unique to each of us. However, these scenes felt black and white in tone. Everything aboard the spaceship takes me back to the Twilight Zone, and I love that. I’m lucky with these short stories because as much as I enjoy Philip K. Dick, I do love early pulp fiction. They are like a time capsule that feels almost romantic in its approach. Everyone seems to be smoking a cigarette, and the cocktail bar is always the number one commodity for a bright future amongst the stars. 

The globe in the story feels like nothing more than a MacGuffin. The real story is the interaction between Thatcher and the three saboteurs. One of my favourite sayings is, loose lips sink ships, a phrase that originated on World War II posters. However, it’s still perfectly accurate to this day.   

I think the three saboteurs gave their story up a little too easily in this tale, but it’s that simplicity that makes it effective. The Crystal Crypt is nearly seventy years old, but the story remains the same. This World is far more advanced than the one in the fifties, but the information that is shared between each other is still as valuable. Maybe Philip K. Dick is pointing out that no matter what happens, some good old-fashioned bullshit and espionage will always be the most valuable commodity in war. 

“What do I do?” Thacher said. “Well, if you like, I’ll show you.” He reached into his coat and brought out something. Something that flashed and glinted, something slender. A rod of pale fire. The three stared at it. Sickened shock settled over them slowly.”

 I can’t say I was surprised that Thatcher was a Martian secret agent. I did like the metal box that could work out if you are telling the truth or not. It was interesting how they learnt to bend the truth to escape. It was effective. I enjoyed The Crystal Crypt, and the short stories are a must for any Philip K. Dick fan. Is it perfect? Not really. But it is fascinating how Philip K. Dick and numerous writers could create these stories weekly and pay the rent. 

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