# IV explained — The Time Traders

> Chapter companion for The Time Traders by Andre Norton.

## What happens

Ross Murdock, having been recaptured after his escape attempt with Kurt Vogel, is given a second chance by Major Kelgarries and Ashe. He learns that the time travel technology described by Kurt is real, and he is offered a trial run to Bronze Age Britain as his graduation exercise. Ross accepts, and the chapter details his training in primitive skills, languages, and customs, as well as his growing respect for Ashe.

## Themes in this chapter

### Identity and Disguise

Ross learns to pass as a native of Bronze Age Britain, adopting the dress, customs, and skills of the period.

### Survival and Resilience

Ross undergoes rigorous training in survival skills, including archery, bronze dagger use, and primitive trade, preparing for his mission.

### The Misfit as Hero

Ross, a former criminal misfit, is recruited because his unconventional skills make him valuable in a different time period.

## Character check-ins

### Ross Murdock

Ross is given a second chance after his escape attempt, accepts the trial run to Bronze Age Britain, and undergoes intensive training.

### Ashe

Ashe trains Ross, offers him the trial run, and maintains an impersonal but respected demeanor.

### Major Kelgarries

Kelgarries gives Ross a second chance, explains the truth about time travel, and warns him about future consequences.

### Kurt Vogel

Kurt is mentioned as a Red agent who was captured by Ross; his escape plan failed and his rendezvous was destroyed.

### Hardy

Hardy is referenced as an example of an operation that was not foolproof.

### Hodaki

Hodaki is mentioned as one of the men who came and went from the base.

## Key lines

> But if we find that, then we can trail them. So we plant men in suitable eras and hope for the best.

By locating the Reds' base, we can track them by placing agents in appropriate historical periods.

_Ashe explains the strategy of Operation Retrograde to Ross._

> You can take your trial run any time—tomorrow.

You can attempt your first mission as early as tomorrow.

_Ashe offers Ross the opportunity to prove himself._

> The man who may be labeled murderer in his own period might rank as a hero in another, an extreme example, but true.

A person considered a criminal today could be seen as a hero in a different era.

_Kelgarries explains why misfits are recruited for time travel missions._

> No man who has gone through our training can return to normal life; there is too much chance of his being picked up and sweated by the opposition.

Trained agents cannot go back to ordinary life because they might be captured and interrogated by the enemy.

_Kelgarries warns Ross about the permanent commitment required._

> He had always had a kind of pride in his record; now he had begun to wish sometimes that it was a record of a different type.

Ross used to be proud of his criminal past, but now he wishes he had a better background.

_Ross reflects on his changing self-perception during training._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_time_traders_se/chapters/iv
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_time_traders_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_time_traders_se/chapters