# Ross Murdock — Key Out of Time character guide > Ross Murdock in Key Out of Time by Andre Norton. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Ross, Ross Murdock the loner, the novice Ross, Shortly Ross, Yours, him, himself **First appearance:** 0000-i-lotus-world ## Snapshot Ross enters the expedition as the project's roughest, least polished operative, a man more comfortable with a knife than a chain of command. ## Who they are Ross enters the expedition as the project's roughest, least polished operative, a man more comfortable with a knife than a chain of command. His instinct to go it alone collides with Ashe's patient discipline and with the strange loyalties Hawaika forces on him. His choices in the field shape whether the Terrans remain mere observers or become part of the island world's oldest war. ## Relationships ### [Karara Trehern](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se/characters/karara_trehern) _romantic_ Karara and Ross share a deep, evolving romantic bond marked by mutual trust and emotional support across time and danger. ### [Foanna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se/characters/foanna) _friendship_ Foanna and Ross form a strong alliance of mutual respect and cooperation, with Foanna acting as a wise guide and ally. ### [Torgul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se/characters/torgul) _friendship_ Ross and Torgul develop a loyal friendship built on shared adventures and a common goal against hostile forces. ### [The Terran](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se/characters/the_terran) _professional_ Ross interacts with the Terran as a fellow agent or superior in their shared mission, maintaining a formal but cooperative dynamic. ### [Loketh](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se/characters/loketh) _friendship_ Loketh and Ross become close companions, with Loketh often providing local knowledge and steadfast support. ### [Gordon Ashe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se/characters/gordon_ashe) _professional_ Gordon Ashe is Ross's senior colleague and mentor, guiding him through missions with a professional yet caring demeanor. ### [Baldies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se/characters/baldies) _rivalry_ The Baldies are antagonists who oppose Ross and his allies, creating constant conflict and danger. ### [Vistur](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se/characters/vistur) _friendship_ Ross and Vistur develop a friendly bond as they work together against common threats in the alien environment. ### [Salkars](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se/characters/salkars) _rivalry_ The Salkars are hostile entities that Ross must confront and outmaneuver, creating a tense adversarial dynamic. ### [Foanna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se/characters/foanna) _friendship_ Foanna and Ross form a strong alliance of mutual respect and cooperation, with Foanna acting as a wise guide and ally. ### [Karara Trehern](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se/characters/karara_trehern) _romantic_ Karara and Ross share a deep, evolving romantic bond marked by mutual trust and emotional support across time and danger. ### [Torgul](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se/characters/torgul) _friendship_ Ross and Torgul develop a loyal friendship built on shared adventures and a common goal against hostile forces. ## In the story ### [I: Lotus World](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se/chapters/i-lotus-world) Observes the lotus-like world of Hawaika with suspicion, scarred from past encounters with the Baldies, and feels hostility toward Karara. ### [II: Lair of Mano-Nui](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se/chapters/ii-lair-of-mano-nui) Discovers the underwater depression and is attacked by the sea dragon, taking refuge in a crevice. ### [III: The Ancient Mariners](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se/chapters/iii-the-ancient-mariners) Assists with the probe setup and reflects on past adventures and the challenges of time agent training. ### [IV: Storm Menace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se/chapters/iv-storm-menace) Pulled through the time gate into a stormy past, fights for survival on a rocky shore, witnesses a murder, and hides in a cave. ### [V: Time Wrecked](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se/chapters/v-time-wrecked) Leads the search for Ashe, observes alien groups on the beach, and uses his sonic device to detect signals. ### [VI: Loketh the Useless](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se/chapters/vi-loketh-the-useless) Captures Loketh, interrogates him via dolphin mental link, and begins to understand the power dynamics of Hawaika. ### [VII: Witches’ Meat](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se/chapters/vii-witches-meat) Ross decides to trust Loketh despite the risk, plans to rescue Ashe, and struggles with the urgency of time. ### [VIII: The Free Rovers](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se/chapters/viii-the-free-rovers) Ross feels uneasy about the alien powers at play, suspects the Baldies are meddling on Hawaika, and questions the wisdom of trusting Loketh. ### [IX: Battle Test](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se/chapters/ix-battle-test) Captured by Rovers; uses bravado and realizes his lack of psychic sensitivity may be an advantage. ### [X: Death at Kyn Add](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se/chapters/x-death-at-kyn-add) On deck at dawn, observing the ship and its crew; nearly killed by Rovers after news of Kyn Add's fall; defended by Vistur and Loketh; brought before Lady Jazia. ### [XI: Weapon from the Depths](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se/chapters/xi-weapon-from-the-depths) Leads the planning against the Baldies, uses his scarred hand to demonstrate the danger of mind control, and receives a pep shot from Karara to stay alert. ### [XII: Baldies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se/chapters/xii-baldies) Leads the approach to the Baldies, uses a captured alien weapon, and intervenes to save the Baldies from Rover vengeance. ### [XIII: The Sea Gate of the Foanna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se/chapters/xiii-the-sea-gate-of-the-foanna) Proposes infiltrating the Foanna citadel to rescue Ashe and treat with the Foanna; attempts the sea gate alone. ### [XIV: The Foanna](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se/chapters/xiv-the-foanna) Reports to the Foanna about the Rover alliance and the Baldie threat; experiences teleportation and the Foanna's alien environment. ### [XV: Return to the Battle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se/chapters/xv-return-to-the-battle) Ross awakens feeling distant from Ashe, frustrated by his inability to mentally connect with the Foanna like Ashe and Karara. He proposes using the Foanna citadel as a trap for the Baldies, showing his strategic thinking. ### [XVI: The Opening of the Great Door](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se/chapters/xvi-the-opening-of-the-great-door) Reluctantly joins the Foanna ritual, fighting inner horror and clinging to his identity while participating in the pattern dance. ### [Shades Against Shadow](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se/chapters/xvii-shades-against-shadow) Participates in planning the next move against the Baldies; survives the energy battle and awakens in the ruined citadel. ### [XVIII: World in Doubt?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se/chapters/xviii-world-in-doubt) Disguised as a Foanna, Ross infiltrates the Baldy ship, swaps a route disk, and cuts off the air supply to lure the crew. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se/characters/ross_murdock - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/key_out_of_time_se/characters