# VI: Crete Circa 1300 BC explained — The Big Time

> Chapter companion for The Big Time by Fritz Leiber.

## What happens

Kaby reports a devastating defeat at Crete, where Greek ships aided by the Snakes destroyed the Cretan fleet. She describes a harrowing escape through a Door into an Express Room, the death of Benson-Carter, and the discovery that the Snakes may have found a way to attack the Spiders' Places from the Void. She reveals a secret mission from Benson-Carter involving a tactical atomic bomb and a plan for vengeance in northern Egypt, sparking Sid's outrage.

## Themes in this chapter

### War and Meaninglessness

The chapter depicts the brutal and chaotic nature of the Change War, with Kaby's report of defeat, death, and the Snakes' insidious tactics, highlighting the senseless violence.

### Survival and Resilience

Kaby's escape from the sinking ships and the collapsing Express Room, along with her determination to carry out Benson-Carter's mission, exemplifies survival against overwhelming odds.

### Reality and Illusion

The Snakes' disguise as Cretans and the unstable nature of the Void and Express Rooms blur the lines between reality and deception, questioning what is real.

## Character check-ins

### Kaby

Delivers a poetic report of the defeat at Crete and the Snakes' attack on the Express Room, revealing a secret mission and a tactical atomic bomb.

### Sidney Lessingham

Reacts with fury to Kaby's report, rejecting the idea of being used for operations and questioning the bomb and instructions.

### Bruce Marchant

Whispers with Lili during Kaby's report, appearing calm and loving amidst the tension.

### Lili Foster

Holds hands with Bruce and beams gently, showing bravery through love.

### Illy

Nods and gestures to confirm Benson-Carter's instructions, but indicates he doesn't know much about them.

### Benson-Carter

Dies in the Express Room after touching the malfunctioning Maintainer, whispering secret mission instructions to Kaby.

## Key lines

> Woe to Spider! Woe to Cretan! Heavy is the news I bring you. Bear it bravely, like strong women.

Kaby announces bad news for both Spiders and Cretans, urging everyone to be brave.

_Kaby uses poetic language to deliver her report of the defeat._

> We can’t say for sure what was it slowly squeezed that sweet Express Room, but we fear the dirty Snakes have found a way to find our Places and attack outside the cosmos!

The Snakes may have discovered how to locate and attack the Spiders' safe rooms from outside the universe.

_Reveals a new and terrifying threat to the Spiders' operations._

> It is nothing but a tiny tactical atomic bomb.

The weapon in the bronze casket is a small atomic bomb for tactical use.

_Kaby reveals the nature of the weapon Benson-Carter was transporting._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_big_time_se/chapters/vi-crete-circa-1300-bc
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_big_time_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_big_time_se/chapters