Garik Loran

Biography

Childhood and early career

As a child of Pantolomin descent from Lorrdian heritage, Loran starred in Imperial propaganda holodramas like The Black Bantha, Jungle Flutes, and Win or Die, becoming a galaxywide symbol for Imperial recruitment. He earned the nickname "Face" during his childhood acting career, due to his appealing looks, and it remained with him throughout his life. He was kidnapped by an extremist group that had been expelled from the Rebel Alliance, and his face was scarred when Imperial stormtroopers rescued him, killing his captors. Before their deaths, they thoroughly informed him of the atrocities committed by the Empire and Imperial Intelligence as part of his planned execution. Loran used this opportunity to disappear, leading his fans to believe he had died in the fight. The Empire used his supposed death to tarnish the New Republic's image by blaming them for it. Loran chose to keep the scar as a reminder of his past contributions to the Imperial cause. Following this incident, Loran secretly returned to his home on Pantolomin; his parents later sent him to Lorrd, their homeworld, while publicly maintaining the story of his death.

During his youth on Lorrd, he assumed the name Kal zet Berri and was taken in by the governor of Lorrd, Zenobia le Ingiana, as a favor to Loran's parents. He attended the Sebs Jemas Flight School in Lorrd City and was already considering joining the Rebel Alliance. While on Lorrd, he often visited Hart and Parn Starships, a starship dealership in the city of Qatamer, due to his interest in starfighters. During one visit, Loran entered an R-22 Spearhead starfighter and playfully activated its targeting system, scaring two children, Zak and Tash Arranda, who were nearby. He then introduced himself to them, but the three were soon escorted from the premises due to Loran's antics. The Arrandas were also staying with the governor, allowing the three to spend time together. Later, Loran showed the Arrandas around Qatamer, pointing out notable locations. He also helped them prank their uncle Mammon Hoole by imitating Tash's voice.

Soon after, the Arrandas discovered an Imperial plot to unleash ancient weapons on Lorrd. After being captured, they escaped and thwarted the plot, but the last Imperial agent, Raygar, attempted to kill them with a thermal detonator. Loran "borrowed" the R-22 from Hart and Parn's lot and flew to their rescue, saving the Arrandas but damaging the starship. He was unconcerned by the damage and wondered if the owner, Hart-and-Parn Gorra-Fiolla, would let him buy the ship instead. He also revealed his true identity to the Arrandas before they left with their uncle.

Upon reaching adulthood, Loran used his own funds to purchase an A-wing starfighter and joined the New Republic, where he was assigned to Colonel Edor Crespin's Comet Squadron. After being forced to eject due to a proton torpedo, Loran bought an X-wing "for variety" but ended up at the same base Crespin commanded. The colonel considered Loran's past Imperial film work a disgrace; an argument ensued, resulting in Loran insulting Crespin, which damaged his prospects as a pilot.

He had a brief relationship with a female lieutenant at the Academy, which involved him being locked out of his quarters naked as a practical joke. Though Loran played it off, he was still written up and had to clean everyone's boots for graduation. The actor did not fit well into the disciplined military environment, and he faced accusations of insubordination. In reality, Loran hated himself for promoting the Imperial cause and projected his self-loathing onto any form of authority.

Wraith Squadron

In 7 ABY, Loran received a final chance when Wedge Antilles and Wes Janson began forming Wraith Squadron, a hybrid starfighter-commando unit, at Folor Base. Antilles and Janson recruited individuals whose careers were ending due to disciplinary issues or impending court-martial. Loran excelled in squadron training, ranking second behind demolitions expert Kell Tainer. Once the squadron was formed, Flight Officer Loran was designated Wraith Eight. He quickly became friends with his wingman Ton Phanan, a medical doctor who was almost as bitter as Loran.

Charade

When Imperial Apwar Trigit arrived over Folor to attack the base, Loran assisted in sounding the alarm and participated in the subsequent ambush against Trigit's TIE Fighters. Loran, who already had four kills from his previous service, scored two more, becoming an ace in his first engagement with the Wraiths. The Wraiths, who had no casualties, jumped out of Folor base, only to have their squadron disabled by an empion mine planted by Trigit's forces in an asteroid field. With one X-wing permanently disabled and hostiles approaching, Loran suggested leaving the craft behind with a pilot in a jury-rigged pilot's chair and a laser rifle. The idea evolved until they left Wraith pilot Voort saBinring in a shielded compartment pulled from their Lambda-class shuttle, Narra, with a small repulsorlift and a stripped-down laser cannon. When the corvette Night Caller arrived, saBinring was pulled into the ship and hit the bridge with the crude laser cannon weapon, killing the captain. Once the rest of the squadron emerged from cover in their repaired X-wings, the corvette surrendered, and Antilles decided to impersonate the Night Caller's crew, as they learned that Trigit was unaware of the ship's capture.

Loran, with his acting and disguise skills, posed as both "Lieutenant Narol" with prosthetics and Captain Zurel Darillian. The Wraiths visited Viamarr 4, where Loran had his first performance and learned that Zsinj was establishing businesses under false names on signatory worlds to generate resources and income. The deception became more elaborate when Jesmin Ackbar and Eurrsk Thri'ag used Darillian's holorecorded diary to overlay Darillian's image onto Loran, creating a lifelike holograph of the captain over Loran's words and movements. The Night Caller's next stop was Xartun, where Loran revealed the location of a transparisteel manufacturing plant, which the other Wraiths later destroyed after Loran left. Loran also helped fight a group of pirates on M2398 after negotiations failed, delivering the eulogy for Jesmin Ackbar after she was killed in combat.

Shortly after, Loran used his acting skills differently when he and other Wraiths posed as members of Talon Squadron, Wraith Myn Donos's first command, to help Donos recover from the catatonia caused by the destruction of Talon Squadron in an Imperial trap. The next day, Loran had his first holocomm conversation as Darillian with Zsinj. The warlord ordered him to help Apwar Trigit eliminate the survivors of Folor Base—ironically, Loran was one of them. Zsinj also instructed them to rendezvous with a supply ship. To avoid letting the crewmen onto their ship, Loran and the Wraiths conducted a mission to Storinal to steal biological agents and TIE fighters, where Loran posed as a stereotypical country idiot from Agamar. Using the agents, they infected the supply ship's shuttle with Bunkurd Sewer Disorder, preventing the rendezvous due to fear of contagion.

Trapping the Implacable

After a quick raid on Todirium III in the Night Caller, Trigit ordered "Darillian" to meet him to attack Talasea, where Rebel forces were believed to be gathering. Upon arriving in-system, the Wraiths realized that Trigit had discovered the trap and dropped the Implacable out of hyperspace prematurely, leaving the frigate Provocateur and the corvette Constrictor for the Wraiths to engage. At the Battle of Talasea, Loran developed the "Loran Spitball," in which X-wings would fire a salvo of proton torpedoes while still in their carrier's bow hangar, adding unexpected firepower in the opening moments of battle. Loran was heading to his fighter when Night Caller took a hit that destroyed the bridge, leaving Loran to take command from the auxiliary bridge. The Wraiths defeated the other two ships, and Loran was promoted to lieutenant for his actions.

After a quick refit, the Night Caller tried again to trap the Implacable. Loran convinced Zsinj and Trigit that they had barely escaped an ambush and should attack the Rebels at Ession. Upon arrival, Loran had to improvise another performance, almost revealing his identity when Admiral Trigit discovered he was unfamiliar with the Imperial Intelligence term "follow best." However, Loran delivered an impromptu speech detailing "Darillian's" supposed love for Intelligence Director Ysanne Isard, impressing the Admiral and allowing Night Caller to gain a critical launch point for the next engagement.

In the Battle of Ession, Loran flew his X-wing with the Wraiths and the Night Caller against Zsinj, aided by Rogue Squadron, General Horton Salm's Green Squadron of BTL Y-wing starfighters, and General Crespin's Blue Squadron of A-wings. The Night Caller executed the Loran Spitball against the Implacable, weakening the vessel while Antilles hid the ship in a dust cloud on Ession's moon, concealing it from the Star Destroyer. After a long engagement, the Wraiths destroyed the Implacable, though they lost Thri'ag and Falynn Sandskimmer, and several pilots were forced to eject, including Loran's wingman Phanan, who lost his spleen after being hit by debris. Loran scored kills on the Implacable's TIEs and helped torpedo the Destroyer. After the battle, the Wraiths received leave on Borleias.

Return to action

The squadron returned to Coruscant, but their leave hadn't expired. While in a bar, they were attacked by a cyborg and got into a bar fight. Military police responded, rounding them up, but Loran noticed inconsistencies in their captain's mannerisms and story, signaling Antilles of the trap, who gave Loran the lead. Loran struck the first blow, and the Wraiths quickly subdued the ersatz policemen, who were later discovered to be infiltrators. Loran received scrutiny for his actions and judgment but proved his talent for matching a person's mannerisms and walking style with their planet, exonerating himself.

The incident resulted in cancellation of their leave, and Antilles tasked them with understanding Zsinj's mind to determine his modus operandi and motives. Loran led one of the planning groups and concluded that Iron Fist was key to Zsinj's power and strategy, asserting that Zsinj would raid Kuat for a new Super Star Destroyer. Loran also facetiously suggested Ysanne Isard was alive, which the New Republic later learned was true.

Loran also participated in a plan to trap a corrupt New Republic Colonel Atton Repness in a blackmail and theft scheme that had ensnared Wraith Tyria Sarkin when she was at the Academy. Loran and Ton Phanan recruited Lara Notsil, an intelligent prisoner from the Implacable believed to be Trigit's mistress, to be sponsored through pilot training as bait for Repness. Notsil, officially free of scrutiny, agreed on the condition that she join Rogue or Wraith Squadron upon graduation. Unbeknownst to Loran or Phanan, Notsil was Gara Petothel, one of Trigit's intelligence operatives, trained to fool Loran by masking her Coruscanti heritage with a subtle Aldivian accent. Notsil exceeded expectations, lured Repness out, and betrayed him.

Pirate Captain

Following reports of Zsinj recruiting pirates, Loran and other Wraiths were ordered to impersonate the Hawk-bat Independent Space Force, with Loran using his acting skills and fake burn scar makeup to become General Kargin. The Wraiths infiltrated an Imperial base on Halmad using the same ruse attempted against them on Coruscant, but as the Hawk-bats. They stole five TIE Interceptors to equip their forces, in addition to the Sungrass, a dilapidated transport serving as their launching platform when not at Hawk-bat Base, an abandoned mining base in the Halmad system. They began their piratical activities by attacking a tanker after Loran obtained navigational data from a drunk crew member, and continued from there. Loran and most of the Wraiths briefly visited Mon Remonda, the Mon Calamari cruiser where they were officially stationed, to receive orders and supplies, and Notsil, fresh from graduating with honors, joined them as a Wraith. This relieved Loran, as his plan had a high chance of failure or angering Intelligence Director Airen Cracken.

To maintain the deception that they were stationed on Mon Remonda, Loran and the Wraiths raided Lavisar against Imperial (non-Zsinj) forces, believing Zsinj's elite Raptors were present. It was a deception by Zsinj to trick the New Republic into weakening Imperial worlds for him to take over. Simultaneously, Loran was plagued by pranks involving a stuffed Ewok toy named Lieutenant Kettch and attracted to Dia Passik, a Twi'lek female who had recently joined the Wraiths.

Returning to Hawk-bat Base, Loran, once again pretending to be Kargin, aimed to strike Halmad's two starfighter bases, where he had left Tainer, Phanan, Ekwesh, and Castin Donn. Simultaneously, he grew increasingly worried about his wingman and friend, Ton Phanan, whose despondency and apathy had deepened. Before Loran could further converse with Phanan, they initiated their attack on Halmad, only to discover that the planet had sought Zsinj's protection.

Upon the arrival of the Iron Fist, the Wraiths encountered intensified planetary defenses after capturing the Bastion, an old refueling tanker in orbit. They abandoned their mission, destroying numerous enemy starfighters during their retreat. They then crashed their captured tanker into the Iron Fist to slow down its pursuit. However, Phanan was shot down and seriously wounded. Loran landed his ship to rescue him, and, avoiding Zsinj's troops who were searching the area, he found Phanan. He tried to bring the other pilot to safety, but Phanan refused to allow Loran to surrender to save him. Ton, realizing he was dying and regretting letting his past consume him, confronted Loran for making the same mistake. Phanan passed away soon after, naming Loran as the sole inheritor of his estate. Deeply saddened, Loran destroyed his wingman's body and went back to Hawk-bat Base. Upon reading Phanan's will, he learned that Phanan had stipulated that he use the inherited funds to remove the facial scar he had worn as a symbol of remembrance and shame for many years, or else the money would go to his hated holodrama rival, Tetran Cowall.

Meeting with Zsinj

Loran barely had time to mourn, as Zsinj, impressed by their combat abilities over Halmad, contacted the Hawk-bats and requested a meeting to discuss potential employment. As the leader of the pirates and the squadron's main actor, he was chosen for the mission, along with Dia Passik and Kell Tainer. Their initial meeting with Zsinj proved fruitful, with the warlord readily agreeing to hire them for a risky mission at a substantial price. Loran was also able to use saBinring's biologically altered background as a cover story for Lieutenant Kettch. Zsinj believed Kettch to be a member of the Hawk-bats, based on comm modifications that had disguised Antilles' voice as that of an Ewok during the Halmad operation. Loran's interaction with Zsinj led him to believe that the warlord possessed more knowledge than he revealed.

The mission took a potentially deadly turn when Zsinj presented them with Wraith Castin Donn, who had disobeyed orders by infiltrating the Iron Fist to implant a harmful program into the vessel. He was captured after failing, and Zsinj now demanded that Loran execute the prisoner as a test of loyalty. Loran attempted to avoid the request, but Zsinj insisted. Dia Passik, however, did not hesitate and shot Donn in the throat, realizing that he was already dead and that the appearance of him breathing was a deception.

After they departed the Iron Fist, Loran asked Passik to explain her actions. During her explanation, she lost emotional control and nearly took her own life due to the horror of what she had done. Loran prevented her from doing so and thanked her for saving them from being killed.

Loran tried to take responsibility for Donn's death, but Antilles explained that it was Donn's fault for disobeying orders, as they had confirmed he wasn't a stowaway before leaving. The unit's morale plummeted, even after learning that their mission from Zsinj was actually a raid on Kuat to steal the latest Super Star Destroyer. Their spirits were somewhat improved by a unit dance, organized and hosted by Ekwesh, to celebrate life. Lara Notsil—his new wingman—and Janson arranged for Loran to dance with Passik, where Passik confessed her feelings for him, and they kissed.

Loran then led the Hawk-bats into battle at Kuat, alongside Zsinj's fleet, against the Imperial defenders. Some of the Wraiths strategically positioned themselves to sabotage the Super Star Destroyers later. Zsinj's forces successfully escaped with the new Destroyer, Razor's Kiss, but a program planted by a Wraith revealed the ship's location. The Wraiths, except for those hidden in ambush positions on the Star Dreadnaughts, joined the anti-Zsinj New Republic fleet, commanded by Han Solo, and engaged Zsinj's forces. Loran flew in an X-wing this time, making attacks against Razor's Kiss and defending the B-wing starfighters of Nova Squadron as they attacked Iron Fist. During the battle, Loran sustained severe damage and considered a suicide run into Iron Fist's shield generators. However, remembering Phanan's last words, he aborted his terminal run and allowed himself to be escorted back to a landing bay. While receiving medical treatment for his injuries, he also had his scar removed. The remaining Wraiths, all surviving the two engagements, happily reunited on the damaged Mon Remonda to celebrate their victory.

Hunting a warlord

After the destruction of Razor's Kiss, Loran and the Wraiths returned to Coruscant aboard the Mon Remonda for repairs and refitting of their ships, as well as some downtime for the pilots. While there, Loran and Notsil developed a novel tactic using a paired TIE Interceptor and X-wing combination, where the X-wing's shields protected the TIE, and the TIE covered the X-wing's rear. During the subsequent squadron briefing, Loran was promoted to brevet captain, becoming the temporary leader of Wraith Squadron, as Antilles assumed command of all of the Mon Remonda's fighters and returned to active Rogue Squadron duty. Loran adopted the callsign Wraith One and assigned Notsil as his wingman, Wraith Two.

On their first mission after the refit, Zsinj's forces ambushed the Mon Remonda. Loran and the Wraiths were again tasked with covering Nova Squadron, but later assisted in bringing down a Carrack-class light cruiser to ease the pressure on the Mon Remonda. The starfighter assault successfully diverted enough enemy attention from the Mon Remonda, allowing Solo's fleet to escape into hyperspace. Following the battle, the New Republic pilots realized they had gained little information about Zsinj's activities since the destruction of Razor's Kiss. Loran suggested creating a fake Millennium Falcon to draw out the warlord. The Wraiths acquired another YT-1300 light freighter, naming it the Millennium Falsehood, to impersonate the Falcon in various decoy raids.

However, the Wraiths first planned to attack the Binring Biomedical Product facility on Saffalore, which Zsinj had been using to alter various nonhuman species—a project that had created Voort "Piggy" saBinring, a Gamorrean Wraith. Loran led the intrusion team, advancing deeper into the facility under the cover of night, but the entire place turned out to be a trap designed to kill them. The trap was triggered when the intrusion team activated a trap door that dropped them into an incinerator. They escaped by blasting through the wall, but several pilots, including Loran, suffered burns and other injuries. He and the others fought their way out of the complex in a daring, if reckless, assault, capturing Dr. Edda Gast, one of Zsinj's scientists, during their escape. Loran called in their air support, the Rogues, to cover their extraction. With Rogue Squadron providing cover, Loran and the others returned to the Mon Remonda. Despite their injuries, he felt positive about the mission, recognizing that his squadron had survived and succeeded in an environment specifically designed to kill them.

The Mon Remonda then attacked Zsinj's Raptors on Jussafet Four, an Imperial world, and defeated them after sustaining damage from brainwashed New Republic pilots. Subsequently, Imperial Admiral Teren Rogriss requested a meeting with one of Solo's officers. Loran was sent to meet the Imperial admiral and learned that Rogriss was Solo's Imperial counterpart: the leader of an anti-Zsinj task force. The two agreed to unofficially collaborate against their common enemy, the warlord, although in a completely informal manner.

Throughout her time in Wraith Squadron, Loran began to suspect that Lara Notsil was not who she appeared to be. When she was anxious, unguarded, or disturbed, her body language indicated that she was Coruscanti, not Aldivian. Loran requested more information about her past from New Republic Intelligence. On their next mission to Kidriff Five, he received a data transmission confirming that Lara Notsil was actually Gara Petothel, an Imperial Intelligence agent. Loran suspected she would attempt to betray the Wraiths, unaware that Notsil had experienced a change of heart and ideology after joining the Wraiths. During the battle, Loran stayed away from the main fight, with his wingman Lara remaining alongside him. As the Rogues and Wraiths prepared to jump to hyperspace, Loran explained the situation to Wedge Antilles, but forgot to switch to a private channel, so the entire squadron overheard him. Myn Donos, whose squadron Gara Petothel had helped destroy, became enraged and tried to attack Lara, with whom he had become infatuated prior to learning her true identity. Loran placed his fighter between Donos and Notsil, nearly being destroyed by a proton torpedo from the enraged Corellian. Lara, in response, told the Wraiths she was and always would be loyal to them and jumped to hyperspace. Wedge Antilles was displeased with Donos, and with Loran.

Showdown

Nevertheless, their campaign continued, with the Wraiths carrying out numerous ground and air strike missions against Zsinj-allied businesses and Zsinj's military. On a mission to Comkin V, Loran helped escort the Millennium Falsehood, but they were attacked by the Dreadnaught Reprisal and Zsinj's TIE pilots, including Lara Notsil, who had been recruited by the warlord again. Using a bomb attached to their freighter, the Wraiths brought down the Reprisal's shields and increased the damage with a proton torpedo salvo, which destroyed the ship. They then escaped into hyperspace after receiving a communications burst that Lara had rigged her TIE's lasers to fire. Loran later helped analyze her transmission, in which she stated she was trying to sabotage Zsinj, and concluded that she was sincere in her intent to harm Zsinj.

Loran was then sent to liaise with Admiral Rogriss to borrow an Interdictor cruiser for an attack on Zsinj at Vahaba, based on information provided by Lara. Rogriss reluctantly agreed to provide the Interdictor, personally transferring his flag to the vessel. Loran and Ekwesh were assigned to reconnaissance duty in the Vahaba system, and they soon spotted the Iron Fist, leading to a full fleet engagement between the two sides. Despite Rogriss's assistance, the Iron Fist escaped the Battle of Vahaba, although damaged. However, Lara Notsil sabotaged the Star Dreadnaught, stranding it nearby with minimal support. Upon learning of this, Solo brought his entire fleet in pursuit of the now-vulnerable Iron Fist. This resulted in the Battle of Selaggis.

Loran flew against the Iron Fist in the battle, engaging both the ship with his proton torpedoes and its complement of TIE fighters. When the 181st Imperial Fighter Wing (actually an impersonating unit organized by Zsinj rather than the loyal Imperial fighter wing) began strafing the colony ruins on Selcaron, the Rogues and Wraiths followed to engage them. The two squadrons easily defeated the 181st pilots after realizing that half of them were explosive-packed droids. In orbit, Zsinj faked the destruction of the Iron Fist and made his escape after suffering heavy ship and starfighter losses.

Shift to Intelligence

After the battle, Loran learned that his promotion to captain was permanent, but that New Republic Intelligence had appropriated the Wraiths, giving them the option to transfer out of Starfighter Command. Loran moved to Intelligence, remaining as leader, and many of his comrades joined him. At some point, Loran shaved his head and added a false scar to prevent enemies from identifying him. He also acquired the nickname, or call sign, of "Poster Boy" within Wraith Squadron.

In 13 ABY, Loran participated in a Wraith Squadron mission on Ryvester. There, he posed as a smuggler named "Captain Hachat," offering to split a priceless treasure, The Palace of Piethet Brighteyes, with Imperial admiral Kosh Teradoc. In his Hachat persona, Loran met with Teradoc at a club outside Teradoc's base. Teradoc was accompanied by a gemologist named Mulus Cheems, who had previously worked with Teradoc but had been subverted by the Wraiths. When Loran presented Teradoc with a jewel-encrusted artifact, Cheems authenticated it. Teradoc attempted to betray Loran, but the Wraiths were well-prepared for this possibility. Loran signaled his teammates stationed around the club, and they immediately initiated a diversion in the form of a fake Imperial Navy raid. Teradoc tried to shoot Loran, but he created cover to escape using a noxious smoke blast concealed in his beverage. He then exited the club along with the rest of the Wraiths and Cheems. Escaping in a speeder, they headed to a nearby marina, where they stole Teradoc's yacht and departed. Teradoc had taken the ostensibly priceless artifact back to his base and private vault, unaware that it was actually a sophisticated explosive device. When its pressure sensors detected it was sufficiently underground, the bomb detonated, destroying Teradoc and his research labs containing plague viruses, toxins, and a sonic project designed to destroy lightsaber crystals. With their mission complete, Loran and the Wraiths indulged in the provisions on Teradoc's yacht as they left Ryvester.

Yuuzhan Vong invasion

In the year 25 ABY, the galaxy faced an invasion by the Yuuzhan Vong, who rapidly conquered numerous planets. During the Yuuzhan Vong War's initial years, Loran spearheaded his squadron's efforts to breach Vong-controlled territory along a frontier that spanned from Vortex to Bimmisaari. Loran also took part in the search operation for the vessel responsible for capturing the Myrkr strike team and transporting them into Vong territory. Unaware of the rationale behind deliberately allowing the team's capture, he was ordered to cease his search when he neared the truth, which greatly displeased him.

Before the Yuuzhan Vong could seize Coruscant, Loran spearheaded the Wraiths' evacuation of Wedge Antilles' wife, Iella, and their daughters, Syal and Myri. After escaping Coruscant, the squad journeyed to Borleias, where Loran reunited Antilles' family with Antilles, who had successfully reclaimed the planet. Subsequently, the Wraiths aided Antilles in his endeavors to drive the Yuuzhan Vong from the jungle world. Soon after, Loran and the Wraiths were assigned to assist Jedi Master Luke Skywalker in devising a mission to investigate the visions the Jedi were experiencing on Coruscant's surface. Throughout the mission briefing, Loran and the other Wraiths playfully teased the Jedi Master, while also supplying the necessary infiltration and insertion equipment, including orbital insertion pods, counterfeit Yuuzhan Vong armor, and disguised probe droids. The infiltration team, which also consisted of two other Jedi, Mara Jade Skywalker and Tahiri Veila, along with scientist Danni Quee, was transported to Coruscant aboard the transport Record Time. To evade detection, they ejected from the cargo bay and descended to the surface in their insertion pods, disguised as debris.

Once on Coruscant, Loran and his comrades assessed the extent of the Vongforming that had been inflicted on the planet, while Skywalker and the other Jedi probed the dark side emanations they had detected on the fallen capital. They discovered that the planet's orbit, flora, and atmosphere had undergone significant alterations, including the creation of a foul odor resulting from the decomposition of countless corpses. Loran assisted the team by providing perfume-soaked cloths, but the sights and sounds of the ravaged capital remained vivid, leading the team to realize the world had been irrevocably transformed.

During their initial close encounter with Yuuzhan Vong warriors, Loran was scouting a bridge connecting two buildings when a group of Yuuzhan Vong appeared. Leveraging his knowledge of Yuuzhan Vong culture and language, he attempted to bluff his way past them, but the Yuuzhan Vong warriors grew hostile, despite being unaware of the infiltrators' true identities. Thanks to the Jedi's combat prowess and an explosive device provided by Kell Tainer, the infiltrators eliminated all the warriors before they could raise an alarm. Subsequently, they established contact with a group of Coruscant survivors known as the Walkway Collective. Loran was one of two Wraiths tasked with accompanying the two Skywalkers to meet with the collective. From these survivors, the Wraiths and Jedi learned about Lord Nyax, a mentally unstable, cybernetically enhanced Dark Jedi who roamed the Coruscant undercity.

While on a scouting mission with Veila, Loran discovered an air-purifying station. After further examination, Skywalker revealed that the devourer tank within the purifying station concealed an entrance to a hidden laboratory. Upon exploring the laboratory and examining the droids within, they discovered that it had originally been used to transform Nyax into something beyond human norms, and that he had initiated his killing spree there. While Quee, Wraith operative Bhindi Drayson, and the Skywalkers investigated the laboratory, Loran marked the exits and assigned Tainer to guard them. Given that the laboratory was abandoned and had access to fresh air, the party used it as a temporary base. Loran and Tainer also deployed numerous holocams on the surface to gather astronomical observations. Loran and Skywalker also embarked on numerous expeditions to locate functional vehicles. During this time, Tainer and Loran engaged in a contest of endurance to see who would admit discomfort wearing their Yuuzhan Vong disguises first, while the rest of the party had largely abandoned wearing them. On one such excursion, Loran and Drayson were investigating a computer in a building that had once been a Starfighter Command recruiting office when Skywalker spotted Lord Nyax from afar. They swiftly evacuated the building, which was then overrun by a group of desperate Coruscant survivors who ransacked the place. Loran suggested using snipers to eliminate Nyax, but Luke disagreed and overruled him.

During their second confrontation with the Dark Jedi, the Skywalkers, Veila, Tainer, and Loran encountered workers under Nyax's mental control attacking Yuuzhan Vong warriors and repairing a construction droid. While the Jedi engaged Nyax, Loran and Tainer captured Viqi Shesh, a treacherous senator who was accompanying the Yuuzhan Vong, and confiscated a vehicle locator from her. However, she managed to escape when the construction droid activated and began plowing its way through the cityscape towards the ruins of the old Jedi Temple. Following Skywalker's orders, Loran tracked the droid, resisting Nyax's mental commands and evading the low-flying coralskippers. His persistence aided the Jedi in locating the droid during their pursuit of Nyax. After the three Jedi confronted Nyax for a final showdown at the ruined temple site, Loran returned to the Ugly Truth, a functional transport that Tainer had discovered using Shesh's vehicle locator. The two blasted the ship free from its hiding place and collected the others, escaping back to Borleias in time for the conclusion of the ongoing siege.

In 29 ABY, a mission to Chashima to investigate a new Yuuzhan Vong creature called comm-buzzers, which could trace comlink signals, resulted in the deaths of longtime Wraith Squadron member Hohass Ekwesh and Estoric Sandskimmer. Loran attempted to console Voort saBinring, the mission's survivor, who had been close friends with Ekwesh, but saBinring's grief led him to resign from the unit, even when Loran tried to assure him that Ekwesh's death had not been in vain.

Subsequently, the Wraiths, including Loran, participated in the Battle of Obroa-skai in an attempt to assassinate Yuuzhan Vong Supreme Overlord Shimrra Jamaane. The Wraiths' stealth ships played a crucial role in jamming yammosk war coordinators, leading to the destruction of the Yuuzhan Vong fleet, although Shimrra was not present. Loran also took part in the Battle of Yuuzhan'tar, the war's climactic battle, joining forces with Shamed Ones and resistance units on the planet's surface. Ultimately, the newly formed Galactic Alliance triumphed over the Yuuzhan Vong, bringing the conflict to an end.

Retirement and reformation

Loran continued his service in Galactic Alliance Intelligence for several years after the war, eventually rising to the rank of general. He also married Dia Passik and adopted her daughter Adra Passik. However, in the aftermath of the Second Galactic Civil War in 40 ABY, Loran was caught up in a purge of the intelligence services initiated by the new Chief of State Natasi Daala. The Wraiths were disbanded, and Loran was forced into an unwelcome early retirement.

In 44 ABY, following the replacement of the Daala administration, Loran was approached by General Borath Maddeus, the head of Galactic Alliance Security, to investigate General Stavin Thaal, the chief of the Galactic Alliance Army, who was suspected of involvement in the Lecersen Conspiracy. This conspiracy had nearly destabilized the Galactic Alliance during the recent Lost Tribe of Sith emergence. Maddeus requested Loran to discreetly and unofficially assemble a new Wraith team to investigate Thaal, and Loran agreed. Maddeus provided him with a hyperdrive-equipped space yacht, the Quarren Eye, and Loran commenced his efforts.

In line with his extensive and distinguished career as an intelligence officer, Loran took exceptional precautions when establishing his new Wraiths. Distrustful of the Quarren Eye, he never disclosed his true plans or the identities of his new Wraiths over its communication systems, instead transmitting details of a fictitious unit. He also established two separate Wraith Squadron teams, keeping them isolated and unaware of each other's existence, while tasking them with investigating Thaal from different angles. Both teams were led by veteran Wraiths, with Loran recruiting his former colleagues from the Yuuzhan Vong War, Sharr Latt and Bhindi Drayson, to lead the teams. Loran also personally traveled to Ayceezee to persuade Voort saBinring, one of the original Wraith Squadron members who was now retired, to join Drayson's team. Despite his reluctance to rejoin the unit after his experience on Chashima, Loran convinced him that he was needed.

The two returned to Coruscant in disguise, where Loran connected saBinring with Myri Antilles, one of Drayson's Wraiths and the daughter of his former unit commander Wedge Antilles. Loran assisted in setting up a heist that Drayson's team was orchestrating as part of their investigation, placing a thoroughly unprepared saBinring into the situation and then departing to attend to his own affairs. He remained on Coruscant and met with Zehrinne Thaal, Thaal's ex-wife. She revealed that her marriage to Thaal had been unfruitful, leading to their estrangement and near-divorce. The ex-wife also informed him that Thaal was adulterous and had engaged in numerous affairs with younger women. Loran obtained their names from Zehrinne Thaal and discovered that the latest mistress, Keura Fallatte, had recently disappeared. He returned home and covertly forwarded the information to the Wraiths, while sending a false report through the Quarren Eye. With his work temporarily completed, he enjoyed time with his wife and daughter, opting to order takeout for dinner instead of cooking.

Loran later visited one of his assets, a Bothan lieutenant named Davian who served in the Galactic Alliance Navy. Davian provided him with the cargo manifests of several naval cargo vessels that had disappeared over the years. Loran discovered that all the missing vessels had a HyperTech Industries communications device, typically a hypercomm, on board. Given that Jesmin Tainer, one of the new Wraiths under Drayson, had previously investigated the missing vessels, Loran found this intriguing. However, he also seized the opportunity to swipe Davian's datapad while persuading him to keep his findings confidential until the Wraiths could uncover the truth. Loran used this datapad to plant credentials for a fake Imperial identity that Drayson's Wraiths were using to try and lure out Thaal's conspirators.

Shortly thereafter, while flying in his airspeeder, Loran noticed that he was being followed by another vehicle. He landed in an open-air market to evade his pursuers, who quickly landed and followed him, revealing themselves to be a Sullustan and an Aqualish. Loran pretended to shop, acquiring the necessary items to create an impromptu decoy to distract the Aqualish, who revealed his murderous intent by knifing the decoy. Realizing the danger, Loran killed the Sullustan and broke contact even as the Aqualish revealed himself. Throwing a recently purchased toy lightsaber as a diversion, Loran lunged forward and fatally stabbed his opponent. Retreating to his speeder, Loran inquired of the droid brain he had installed whether the vehicle had been tampered with. Discovering that it had been sabotaged, Loran cut himself to leave genetic evidence of his presumed death and then abandoned the vehicle, instructing the droid brain to fly it off, where it exploded shortly after due to the sabotage. Loran went into hiding, informing his wife and daughter and some other associates to warn them. His wife shot the man who had sabotaged his speeder, and then Loran and his family went into hiding after disposing of the body.

Loran learned that search-and-kill orders had been issued for the fake Wraiths he had established through the Quarren Eye, most of whom were fictitious or dead. Realizing that this implicated Maddeus, who had initially contacted him, Loran investigated the head of security. After the two Wraith teams under Latt and Drayson joined forces and exposed and captured Thaal, Loran knew the endgame had arrived. He knew that Thaal had escaped detention with the assistance of his co-conspirator Maddeus and confronted Maddeus in his office, but initially concealed his knowledge of Maddeus' involvement. Loran revealed that he knew Thaal and Maddeus were comrades from the Yuuzhan Vong War, and although Maddeus initially denied the allegations, he soon confessed. Maddeus remained defiant and, when "General Thaal" appeared with a weapon in hand, was prepared to eliminate Loran. Maddeus revealed that he had concealed Thaal one level below his office, at which point "Thaal" was revealed to be a Wraith in disguise who aimed his weapon at Maddeus instead. Maddeus and Thaal were taken into custody, and their conspiracy to establish their private empire was dismantled by Wraith Squadron.

He then met at length with the new Chief of State, Wynn Dorvan, and explained his recent activities, omitting the names of the new Wraiths. In recognition of his efforts, he was rewarded with Maddeus' former position, which he accepted. His wife extracted a promise that he would cease his spying and shooting and stick to his new desk job. Loran also suggested that the new Wraiths could continue as an unofficial asset of the intelligence service, which was accepted, with saBinring installed as the new unit leader.

Personality and traits

Loran carried considerable guilt for his time serving the Empire as a child actor, blaming himself for his past, which manifested in his career as insubordination and insolence. The stigma from his past affected him until his friend and wingman Ton Phanan helped him release the guilt, as his "debt" only existed in his mind.

However, Loran typically concealed this guilt, maintaining an actor's calm and composed demeanor even while flying missions or delivering eulogies. This demeanor helped him remain cool and collected in stressful situations, and he was quickly promoted to captain from flight officer due to his leadership abilities. He was also a joker and considered one of the two smart mouths in the Wraiths by his fellow pilots, taking great delight in numerous jibes and jests. Loran particularly enjoyed joking around with Luke Skywalker during the Yuuzhan Vong War, and did so throughout their mission to Coruscant.

As a seasoned intelligence officer following the Second Galactic Civil War, Loran still employed his actor's ability to convincingly portray emotions when interviewing potential assets. Loran was also a skilled operative, capable of faking his death, orchestrating multiple ruses, and participating in intricate plots of subterfuge. He was known to subvert authority and suspect almost everyone, sometimes including his superiors. Loran did not appreciate forced retirement and viewed it unfavorably. He was a devoted husband and father, demonstrating great concern for his wife and daughter. He promised his wife never to make extremely angry and figured that if he'd had hair left at that point, it would have been grayed by his daughter's dating.

Relationships

Loran was considered one of the most attractive human males in his youth, and rumors of his death allegedly broke young female hearts across the galaxy. He continued to leverage his recognition and childhood fame throughout his career.

Dia Passik

Dia Passik was a member of the Wraiths recruited after the destruction of Implacable. Initially, she was hostile to Loran, resisting his attempts to charm her, but eventually fell for the Lorrdian pilot. Their relationship blossomed, particularly after he prevented her from committing suicide. The relationship proved beneficial to both of them, helping Passik relax with her new unit and enabling Loran to become more open towards his fellow pilots while recovering from Phanan's death. By 44 ABY, Loran and Passik had married. Loran adopted Passik's daughter Adra and was devoted to his new family, demonstrating great concern when they were placed in danger.

Behind the scenes

Garik Loran was created by Aaron Allston for his four Wraith Squadron books. Allston has stated on his website that the Face Loran/Ton Phanan pairing is one of his favorites for humorous potential. According to Allston, Loran was inspired by the famous silent-film actor John Barrymore, who was known as "The Great Profile." While not official, Allston considers Loran to be 24 in 7.5 ABY at the inception of Wraith Squadron. Allston also believes Loran's relative lack of advancement in rank by the time of the Yuuzhan Vong War was due to his largely unofficial status as a secret intelligence asset. Allston has also stated that he believes the relationship between Loran and Passik would not endure and they would amicably part ways. By X-Wing: Mercy Kill, Passik and Loran are married, but the fact that Passik's daughter Adra is Loran's adoptive daughter suggests they split for a time.