# Bal Zak — The Master Mind of Mars character guide

> Bal Zak in The Master Mind of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs.

**Role:** supporting

**First appearance:** 0005-iv-the-compact

## Snapshot

A Toonolian commander with a warship, a gambler's nerve, and a plan involving jetan, a sleepy watchman, and four stolen equilibrimotors.

## Who they are

Bal Zak commands the Vosar and moves through Toonol's landing towers with the ease of a man who knows every guard's weakness. He is practical rather than heroic — he helps fugitives not from sentiment but because he can, and because the scheme amuses him. His willingness to risk his neck for strangers gives the escape from Toonol its first real chance, and his dry counsel keeps the fugitives from mistaking courage for a plan.

## Relationships

### [Gor Hajus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/characters/gor_hajus)

_rivalry_

Bal Zak is a jealous and treacherous rival to Gor Hajus, often plotting against him.

### [Gor Hajus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/characters/gor_hajus)

_rivalry_

Bal Zak is a jealous and treacherous rival to Gor Hajus, often plotting against him.

## In the story

### [Escape](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/chapters/vii-escape)

Captain of the Vosar; unknowingly aids the escape by misdirecting Vobis Kan's search party.

### [Hands Up!](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/chapters/viii-hands-up)

Confronts the group on the landing stage but reveals he knew of their presence and helps them out of gratitude to Gor Hajus.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/characters/bal_zak
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_master_mind_of_mars_se/characters