The main theorem

This chapter introduces the main theorem, which states: Let V be a quasi-projective variety over a valued field F and let X be a definable subset of V x Γ‎superscript Script Small l subscript infinity over some base set V ⊂ VF ∪ Γ‎, with F = VF(A). Then there exists an A-definable deformation retraction h : I × unit vector X → unit vector X with image an iso-definable subset definably homeomorphic to a definable subset of Γ‎superscript w subscript Infinity, for some finite A-definable set w. The chapter presents several preliminary reductions to essentially reduce to a curve fibration. It then constructs a relative curve homotopy and a liftable base homotopy, along with a purely combinatorial homotopy in the Γ‎-world. It also constructs the homotopy retraction by concatenating the previous three homotopies together with an inflation homotopy. Finally, it describes a uniform version of the main theorem with respect to parameters.