Summary

The group, including Xombul, Mr. Schroeder, Valerian, Laureline, Sun Rae, and several robots – goes down some stairs to another part of the lab. This room has some equipment surrounded by the walls of the cave and stalagmites. Mr. Schroeder pretends to trip and uses the moment to hand something to Valerian. Mr. Schroeder says he will give Valerian a signal of when to throw the device, and that he wants to escape with Valerian. Xombul informs Valerian that Mr. Schroeder made a “molecular miniaturiser,” and shows him a buffalo that has been through the machine. Xombul now plans to shrink Laureline and carry her around in his pocket in order to keep Valerian in check. They place Laureline on a platform then Xombul and Mr. Schroeder work at some controls. Laureline shrinks.

Just before the process is finished, Mr. Schroeder yells out to...