Summary

Valerian emerges from a hole in the ground, sheltered by rocks. He is having trouble seeing in the sudden sunlight because he has been in the dark so long. Irmgaal, Ortzog, and Blimflim object, but the Examiner says he has the right to give his answer, just as they did. Irmgaal complains that allowing Valerian to participate is a show of favoritism, which he says is “the death of elitism” (38). Ortzog says the “complex social mechanics term” to describe this situation is “string pulling” (38). Irmgaal suggests they should “dope” Valerian with “forbidden liquors” (38). Valerian is still having trouble seeing.

Valerian says he has not had time to think about his answer, and that he does not have a clear path in mind. He then says that it is not his choice to make. He continues, saying that he would want them to “be...