I have read a fascinating short story last night, a classic of Philip K. Dick, The Crystal Crypt. I had some far-away memories, since it was included in an old sci-fi anthology; but, title excluded, no recollection at all.
The story is set in a scenario of coming war between Earth and Mars. The last starship with Earthians to leave is suddenly stopped on Deimos (Mars satellite) and searched for three terrorists, accused to have destroyed one of the main Martian cities. The ship is allowed to leave, since the police is not able to find them. On board, an Earthian named Thacher starts talking to three fellow travellers, which eventually tell him they are the terrorists Martians were after. But they make also clear they did not destroy the city, just miniaturised it to fit into a globe, in order to smuggle it to Earth and use it as a negotiation tool.
By then, I did not need to continue reading: I had already guessed what was going to happen. And it was that Thacher, actually a spy for the Martians, politely thanks them for the incredible technology, now available to Martians too, and hand them to the Martian police on board. Keeping the globe.
How did I know he was a mole? Simple enough. In his Night Dawn‘s trilogy, Peter Hamilton creates the intriguing character of Erick Thakrar, an undercover agent. And, incidentally, one of three terrorists of The Crystal Crypt is actually named Erick.
Coincidence? I don’t think so. In any case, this proves Umberto Eco only too right…books do talk about other books, and this is essential part of the pleasure of reading them.