Goran, a human male officer within the Galactic Empire, functioned as an instructor. In the time leading up to the Battle of Yavin by two years, he possessed the rank of commandant, fulfilling the role of flight instructor at the renowned Skystrike Academy located on Montross. Captain Vult Skerris served under his direct authority.
During the Age of the Empire, Goran served as the flight instructor for the Skystrike Academy. This academy was a premier Imperial academy of the Galactic Empire, responsible for training TIE fighter pilots. Notable cadets who passed through his instruction included Wedge Antilles, Hobbie, and Rake Gahree. Two years prior to the Battle of Yavin, Wedge, along with his two companions, grew disillusioned with the Empire and began plotting their defection to the rebellion. The Phoenix Cell dispatched Sabine Wren to facilitate the extraction of these cadets.
Following Sabine's arrival in disguise with a group of new cadets, Goran addressed them, emphasizing that only the most capable would endure the rigorous training at the Academy. He further stated that their past performance at other academies would hold little weight in determining their success at Skystrike. Goran then announced a combat simulation exercise scheduled for 0600 hours the following day before dismissing them.
The next morning, Goran oversaw the combat simulation involving Wedge and Sabine. When Wedge and Sabine (disguised as Ria Tallia) used their actual names, he reminded them to use their designated call signs. The pair successfully destroyed four simulated Y-wings; however, they were ultimately defeated by a simulated version of the rebel freighter Ghost, piloted by Captain Vult Skerris. After the exercise, Goran directed Wedge and Sabine to report for a debriefing. He observed as Skerris cautioned the cadets about the repercussions of disobeying orders.
Later, Goran extended a greeting to visiting Governor Arihnda Pryce and Imperial Security Bureau Agent Kallus, who had come to investigate reports of cadets planning to defect to the rebellion. Goran expressed disbelief that traitors existed among his cadets, asserting their loyalty and training. Nevertheless, Governor Pryce insisted on proceeding with the investigation. Consequently, the Skystrike Academy was placed under lockdown, operations were temporarily halted, and Agent Kallus interrogated the cadets.
Despite Kallus's investigation, no conclusive evidence was found. When Goran voiced his frustration regarding the disruption caused to his Academy, Pryce proposed a solution: returning the cadets to space to resolve the matter. With Pryce's authorization, Goran instructed all cadets to report to their TIE fighters for a mock combat exercise in space. Over the intercom, Goran informed them that their laser cannons had been disabled, but their scores would still be recorded. As anticipated, Sabine and the defecting cadets took the bait, attempting to fly towards a rebel CR90 corvette commanded by Ezra Bridger.
Upon spotting the rebel ship, Goran watched as Governor Pryce commanded the four cadets to return. When they refused, she deactivated their solar collector panels and dispatched Captain Skerris and his TIE interceptors to engage the rebel ship. The rebel ship successfully jumped into hyperspace. Following Pryce's orders, Skerris destroyed Rake's TIE fighter. Goran remained uninvolved as Governor Pryce and Agent Kallus dealt with the rebellious cadets. Ultimately, Sabine and the defecting cadets managed to escape the Academy with assistance from Kallus, who had developed respect for Sabine's rebel ally Garazeb Orrelios and sought to repay a past debt.
As a human male, Goran served as the flight instructor for the distinguished Skystrike Academy. He held great pride in the quality of his students and initially rejected claims of defectors within the ranks. While a stern and uncompromising instructor, he remained oblivious to the rebel sympathies held by some of his students. The visit by Governor Pryce and Agent Kallus to investigate the presence of rebel defectors caused Goran great embarrassment. Despite his reservations regarding the investigation, Goran adhered to the directives issued by Governor Pryce.
Goran made an appearance in "The Antilles Extraction," the second episode of the third season of the television series Star Wars Rebels. Corey Burton provided his voice, also voicing Rake Gahree. His identity was confirmed in the episode's credits. An error in Goran's databank initially misidentified him as Relik, but this was later corrected. The 2018 canon sourcebook Dawn of Rebellion, published by Fantasy Flight Games, also mistakenly referred to him as Relik.