# XVIII: World in Doubt? explained — Key Out of Time

> Chapter companion for Key Out of Time by Andre Norton.

## What happens

Ross Murdock, disguised in a Foanna robe, infiltrates a Baldy spaceship to sabotage it. He uses his memory of a similar ship to teleport into the control cabin, swaps a route disk to misdirect the crew, and cuts off the air supply to lure them into a trap.

## Themes in this chapter

### Identity and Transformation

Ross adopts the Foanna robe and persona, blurring his own identity as he uses their chants and reputation to deceive the Baldies.

### Power and Corruption

The Baldies wield mental domination and advanced weapons, but Ross resists their 'willing' through sheer stubborn independence.

### Survival and Resilience

Ross undertakes a solo, high-risk mission to sabotage the enemy ship, relying on his wits and memory to survive.

## Character check-ins

### Ross Murdock

Disguised as a Foanna, Ross infiltrates the Baldy ship, swaps a route disk, and cuts off the air supply to lure the crew.

### Loketh

Seen as a captive under the Baldies' control, he recognizes Ross and grovels before collapsing.

### Foanna

Ynlan (one of the Foanna) teleports Ross into the Baldy ship and warns him of the risks.

### Baldies

Three Baldies are in the ship's control cabin; they attempt to mentally dominate Ross but fail.

### Karara Trehern

Ross recalls the chant she used in the Foanna temple to bluff the Baldies.

### Gordon Ashe

Mentioned as someone Ross does not intend to share his plan with.

## Key lines

> He drew the robe about him, used it to muffle his figure completely as the true wearers did.

Ross wrapped the Foanna robe around himself to hide his appearance, just as the real Foanna would.

_Ross uses the disguise to infiltrate the Baldy ship._

> He felt it now, that inner pulling, twisting in his mind, the willing which was their more subtle weapon.

Ross sensed the Baldies' mental attack, a twisting force trying to control his mind.

_The Baldies attempt to dominate Ross telepathically._

> Ross pulled the cowl of his Foanna cloak up over his head.

Ross adjusted the hood of his Foanna cloak to cover his head.

_Ross completes his disguise after teleporting into the ship._

> He knew better than to touch anything before the pilot’s station, but the banks of controls to one side were concerned with the inner well-being of the ship⁠—and they tempted him.

Ross avoided the pilot's controls but was tempted by the ship's internal systems panels.

_Ross considers sabotaging the ship's life support._

> His hand plunged out and down, raking the lever from one measure point to the very end of the slit in which it moved.

Ross forcefully pulled a lever all the way down, cutting off the air supply.

_Ross triggers a trap to lure the Baldies into the control cabin._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/key_out_of_time_se/chapters/xviii-world-in-doubt
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/key_out_of_time_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/key_out_of_time_se/chapters