Name: Lance

Occupation: Pilot of Red Lion

Height: 5'7''

Weight: 155 lbs

Hair: Brown

Eyes: Brown

Marital Status: Single

Favorite Music: Monster ballads, Punk, Alternative

Hobbies: Daredevil flying, video games, shuffleboard, rebelling, causing trouble, parasailing.

Pet Peeves: Zarkon, brown-nosers, goodie-goodies, button-fly jeans, 'short' jokes, people with Napolean complexes, Amalgamus

This month's character profile looks at Lance, the daredevil pilot of Red Lion. Most people think of Lance as the fiery rebel of the Voltron Force, whose unrivaled courage and never-say-die attitude gives the Force its edge. Intensely loyal, Lance can also be intensely difficult, especially when defying orders or flying off on independent missions. From Amalgamus all the way to Commander Keith, Lance's rampages know no boundaries. As all rebels, he ultimately does what he wants… but that doesn't mean he won't fall in line when confronted with persuasive counter-arguments, or so he says. In our interview, he wanted foremost to show his fans that he is truly a team player. While he may have been "persuasive" in his arguments, he did reveal a personal side. He talked about his insecurities, his oppositional behavior as defense mechanism (his therapist talking), and he also discussed his relationships with the rest of the team. Also mentioned was his contempt for Zarkon and his image as a hero and questions about his future goals, i.e. whether he'd like to lead his own fighting force one day. That question, one that anyone would want to ask a strong-minded subordinate, sparked indignation rather than excitement.

Lance: How dare you ask such a question? I would never leave Voltron just so I could lead my own team! That would be selfish!

V3D: I'm sorry if I upset you.

Lance: (suddenly jovial) Sucker. Ha-ha. Fell for it hook, line, and sinker.

V3D: Very clever.

Lance: You should really lighten up, pal. We're just kicking back here.

V3D: You're right.

Lance: You apparently don't know me very well.

V3D: We just met.

Lance: I can have a great sense of humor when given the opportunity. I've been called a comic genius by some.

V3D : (laughing) That was great. You got me again.

Lance: (wary) Anyway, to answer your original question, I have absolutely no interest in commanding my own force. Sure, I tend to be independent-minded but that doesn't necessarily mean I'd be a good leader. A leader is someone who compromises his feelings and emotions for the good of the team. That's why Keith is so great at it.

V3D: Because he cares about the good of the team more than you do?

Lance: No. And I resent that remark. It's just that in the heat of the battle I don't always keep my head on, which is not the best characteristic for a leader. And why would I want to leave the Voltron Force just to lead some second-rate outfit? Why would anyone want to leave the greatest fighting force in the galaxy?

V3D: So not to live in the shadow of Keith.

Lance: See, that's exactly why everyone hates the media. You're always trying to stir up controversy no matter the consequences. You don't care if you're actions or your questions hurt people in the end. You just want your story… Are you sleeping?

V3D: (stirs awake) Huh, no. Yes, I agree Amalgamus can be kind of a pain. Speaking of Amalgamus, are you ever jealous of Keith.

Lance: Is your life precious to you? I have a blaster right here with your name on it. And right now I'm at point-blank.

V3D: You don't look like your joking. I guess I should take that as a yes then.

Lance draws weapon, aims it at interviewer's hair and discharges. Fired laser singes most of interviewer's hair down the middle.

V3D: You shot my hair!

Lance: You needed a new look. It's kind of like a reverse mohawk. By the way, I feel much better. Less angry. It'll grow back

V3D: (calms down, gathers self) (pats what's left of hair) Okay, let's talk about Allura then.

Lance: I love her. She's a great individual, kind person, gentle…

V3D: Clearly someone you can relate to.

Lance: Well-- I suppose that was a subtle criticism.

V3D: Yes, in fact so subtle that it's as indetectible as the romantic tension between Keith and Allura.

Lance: Yeah, yeah, that's an old story, Keith and Allura romantically attracted. It's been hinted at for decades. The same "hints" have been and continue to be made about tensions between Allura and me. Fans shouldn't place too much importance on things like rumors and premature conclusions. There's no limit to what people will come up with.

V3D: You're right, there is no limit to the "conclusions" where those two are concerned.

Lance: Or where she and I are concerned.

V3D: The tensions between Keith and Allura really emerge when Lotor makes his cheap attempts to claim her.

Lance: He is a cheap one. He didn't fall far from the tree, I can tell you that.

V3D: I think it's that dastardly nature that intrigues Allura, makes her want to "change" him.

Lance: I think that's your imagination talking.

V3D: Could be… Yes, I think you're right. She's really hooked on Keith.

Lance: Again, here you go again with your devious little attempts to cause controversy. The fact is, nothing romantic exists between Keith and Allura, Lotor and Allura, Pidge and Allura or anyone and Allura. These are all rumors to create stories, and in the end all they create for the victims are a lot of bad vibes and bad feelings. Let me ask you this, is it your desire to hurt or destroy the Voltron Force by stirring up negative tension? Is it? Do you want the Voltron Force to collapse and let the Galaxy be defenseless against Zarkon and Lotor? If you do, then you need to question your motives as a journalist or quit being a journalist all together… Are you sleeping?

V3D: (stirred awake) Huh. Wow, I just had a dream that Keith married Allura. You were the ring bearer!

Lance: That would never happen!

V3D: You're right. Pidge would be the ring bearer.

Lance: Do you want the rest of your hair shot?

V3D: Go ahead if you must, if that's what you feel you have to do. As a big bully. That's all you are. Isn't it? Whenever you feel attacked or just helpless, you feel the need to insult and frighten and pick on people. Maybe that's why you could never be a leader. You're too insecure.

Lance: (stands up, draws blaster) Insecure?!

V3D: You look as if you intend to prove my point?

Lance: (sits) Well, I could stand to be less defensive. It's just… the media.

V3D: Sure, blame it on the media. Zarkon's rise to power, Lotor's escape, the Lewinsky scandal, your complexes… it's all the media. We perpetuate myths and never consider the feelings or the struggles that… (puts himself to sleep)

Lance: Hey!

V3D: (stirs awake) Very interesting observation, Lance.

Lance: …and I was saying that all we need is love and tolerance and we can be secure in ourselves. The Voltron Force represents all that is good and noble and secure, but that doesn't mean we, everyone, can't live by the same spirit… of self-security

V3D: Wow, that was… yeah. Well, I guess that wraps everything up, I think. Unless you'd like to add anything?

Lance: Just that I love everyone and especially Allura. And Keith and Hunk and Pidge. But not Zarkon. By the way, some of your hair fell out while you were sleeping.

V3D: That's funny. Because I vaguely remember that you shot it out.

Lance: I was only trying to kill a fly that was bothering your sleep.

V3D: That was very thoughtful. You really do love everyone, don't you? It's very secure of you to say so.

Lance: Thank you. I've always had a special love for the media.

V3D: Okay, we've heard a lot from you today-- some genuine, some dubious, but all revealing. In the end, we still and will always love you as the courageous, hip, fun-loving pilot of the Voltron Force. As your fans we ask only this: keep causing trouble, keep disobeying orders: keep that chip on the shoulder, and most importantly keep playing the meanest second fiddle in the galaxy.

Lance: (draws blaster) That pesky bug just came back. And I'm not about to let him hover around your lap like that.