Ross Murdock is an ex-criminal who was rescued by Gordon Ashe and made into a useful member of the Time Agents —a man who values his freedom above all, and relies on his own strength and cunning. While his refusal to accept magic and supernatural forces prevents him from becoming part of an ancient world of nature, his personal integrity also enables him later on to resist the cruel mind-altering forces of the evil invading alien race of Baldies, voyagers from another universe bent on subjugating Hawaika.

Power corrupts and weakens, not only the power of modem technology which is represented by the Baldies. Having had an earlier encounter with them (Time Traders, 1958), Ross also understands them and is the only one able to effectively fight them. The Foanna have been weakened by centuries of no change; they need the strength and common sense of Ross. The...