# Vincent Lake — The Survivors character guide

> Vincent Lake in The Survivors by Tom Godwin.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Lake

**First appearance:** 0001-the-survivors

## Snapshot

The Constellation's last surviving officer, who trades a commander's authority for a castaway's burden and a promise to make the Gerns answer for what they did.

## Who they are

Lake becomes the reluctant leader of the Rejects after the Gern attack, the only officer left to negotiate survival terms and then govern eight thousand stranded colonists on a world that wants them dead. His hatred of the Gerns is personal—he watched them kill his mother—but he understands that rage alone builds nothing, so he drills himself in bow, spear, and textbooks until he is the best of the survivors at everything that matters. He sets the tone for the whole ordeal: endure, adapt, and never stop planning the day the humans leave Ragnarok.

## Relationships

### [Peter Bemmon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_se/characters/peter_bemmon)

_friendship_

Peter and Vincent share a deep, trusting bond, often relying on each other in difficult situations.

### [Steve Schroeder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_se/characters/steve_schroeder)

_friendship_

Steve and Vincent are close companions, frequently interacting with mutual support and camaraderie.

### [Howard Craig](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_se/characters/howard_craig)

_friendship_

Howard and Vincent are reliable allies, working together through shared challenges.

### [The Gerns](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_se/characters/the_gerns)

_rivalry_

The Gerns and Vincent are adversaries, with a history of conflict and opposition.

### [Ben Barber](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_se/characters/ben_barber)

_friendship_

Ben and Vincent are steadfast allies, often working together and supporting each other.

### [John Prentiss](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_se/characters/john_prentiss)

_friendship_

John and Vincent share a strong bond of friendship, frequently interacting with mutual respect.

### [Billy Humbolt](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_se/characters/billy_humbolt)

_friendship_

Billy and Vincent are close companions, navigating challenges together with trust.

### [Henry Anders](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_se/characters/henry_anders)

_friendship_

Henry and Vincent are reliable friends, often seen cooperating in difficult circumstances.

### [The Gerns](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_se/characters/the_gerns)

_rivalry_

The Gerns and Vincent are adversaries, with a history of conflict and opposition.

### [Steve Schroeder](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_se/characters/steve_schroeder)

_friendship_

Steve and Vincent are close companions, frequently interacting with mutual support and camaraderie.

### [Peter Bemmon](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_se/characters/peter_bemmon)

_friendship_

Peter and Vincent share a deep, trusting bond, often relying on each other in difficult situations.

### [Howard Craig](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_se/characters/howard_craig)

_friendship_

Howard and Vincent are reliable allies, working together through shared challenges.

## In the story

### [The Survivors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_se/chapters/the-survivors)

Dies during the landing on Ragnarok, prompting Bill Humbolt to take leadership.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_se/chapters/i)

Last of the Old Ones; starts a school and writes books to preserve knowledge; reveals he knew Schroeder's identity; passes leadership to Bill Humbolt and dies.

### [III](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_se/chapters/iii)

His bones are found and buried by Schroeder's party; his leadership is remembered.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_se/chapters/iv)

Leads the capture of the Gern cruiser, personally executes Gern officers who killed a boy, and discusses future exploration with Humbolt.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_se/characters/vincent_lake
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_survivors_se/characters