Garik Loran

Biography

Childhood and early career

Born to Pantolomin heritage but of Lorrdian descent, Loran, as a young boy, starred in thinly disguised Imperial propaganda holodramas like The Black Bantha, Jungle Flutes, and Win or Die. He effectively became the galaxywide symbol for Imperial recruitment. During his childhood acting career, Loran earned the nickname "Face" due to his attractive appearance, a moniker that stayed 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 during a rescue attempt when Imperial stormtroopers massacred his captors. However, before his captors were killed, they thoroughly informed him of the atrocities committed by the Empire and Imperial Intelligence as a prelude to his planned execution. Loran seized this opportunity to disappear, leading his fans to believe he had died in the conflict. The Empire used his supposed death to tarnish the image of the New Republic, blaming them for his demise. Loran chose to keep the scar as a reminder of the extent to which he had aided 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 charade of the famous holostar's death.

During his youth on Lorrd, he adopted the alias Kal zet Berri and was taken in by Zenobia le Ingiana, the governor of Lorrd, as a favor to Loran's parents. He attended the Sebs Jemas Flight School in Lorrd City and was already contemplating joining the Rebel Alliance. While on Lorrd, he frequently visited Hart and Parn Starships, a starship dealership in the city of Qatamer, as he had a strong interest in starfighters. On one such visit, Loran climbed into an R-22 Spearhead starfighter and played a prank on Zak and Tash Arranda, two children of similar age, by activating the starfighter's targeting system, frightening them. He then exited the starfighter and introduced himself to them, but shortly afterward, the three were escorted from the premises due to Loran's antics. As it turned out, the Arrandas were also staying with the governor, allowing the three youths to spend time together. Later, Loran showed the two Arrandas around Qatamer, highlighting points of interest. He also assisted them in playing a prank on their uncle Mammon Hoole by imitating Tash's voice.

Shortly thereafter, the Arrandas uncovered an Imperial plot to unleash buried ancient weapons on Lorrd. After being captured, they escaped and thwarted the Imperial plot, but the last Imperial agent, Raygar, attempted to destroy them with a thermal detonator. Loran "borrowed" the R-22 from Hart and Parn's lot, flew to the rescue, and saved both the Arrandas, but damaged the starship in the process. He was unconcerned by the damage and wondered if the proprietor, Hart-and-Parn Gorra-Fiolla, would allow him to purchase the ship instead. He also revealed his true identity to the Arrandas before they departed with their uncle.

Upon reaching adulthood, Loran used his own funds to purchase an A-wing starfighter and enlisted in the New Republic, where he was assigned to Colonel Edor Crespin's Comet Squadron. After being forced to eject to avoid a proton torpedo, Loran bought an X-wing "for variety" but ended up at the same base Crespin commanded. The colonel considered Loran's previous Imperial filmwork a disgrace, and an altercation between the two resulted in Loran insulting Crespin, severely hindering the former actor's piloting career.

He had a short-lived relationship with a female lieutenant at the Academy, which included him being locked out of his quarters naked as a practical joke. Although Loran dismissed the joke, he was still written up and had to clean everyone's boots for graduation. The actor struggled to adapt to the disciplined life of military command, and accusations of insubordination plagued his career. In reality, Loran despised himself for furthering the Imperial cause and projected his self-hatred onto any form of authority.

Wraith Squadron

In 7 ABY, Loran found a final opportunity when Wedge Antilles and Wes Janson, starfighter pilots from the New Republic, began forming the starfighter-commando hybrid squad that would become known as Wraith Squadron at Folor Base. Antilles and Janson primarily recruited candidates who were facing career termination due to disciplinary issues or impending court-martial. Loran excelled in squadron training, achieving the second-highest ranking behind demolitions expert Kell Tainer. Once the squad was assembled, Flight Officer Loran was designated Wraith Eight. He quickly befriended 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 that he deployed against the base. Loran, who already had four kills from his previous service, added two more, becoming an ace in his first engagement with the Wraiths. After the Wraiths avoided any casualties in the engagement, they jumped out of Folor base, only to have the entire squadron disabled by an empion mine planted by Trigit's forces in the midst of an asteroid field. With one X-wing permanently disabled and the likelihood of hostiles appearing soon, Loran suggested leaving the craft behind with a pilot in a jury-rigged pilot's chair with a laser rifle to protect himself when their attackers arrived to collect the debris. The idea evolved until they left Wraith pilot Voort saBinring in a shielded compartment pulled from their Lambda-class shuttle, Narra, equipped with a small repulsorlift and a stripped-down laser cannon. When the corvette Night Caller arrived, saBinring was pulled into the ship and used the crude laser cannon weapon to strike the bridge, killing the captain. Once the rest of the squadron emerged from cover in their newly repaired X-wings, the corvette quickly surrendered, and Antilles decided they should impersonate the Night Caller's crew, as they had learned that Trigit was unaware of the ship's capture.

Loran, with his acting and disguise skills, posed as both "Lieutenant Narol" with the help of some improvised prosthetics and Captain Zurel Darillian. The Wraiths visited Viamarr 4, where Loran gave his first performance and discovered that Zsinj was establishing businesses under false names on signatory worlds to generate resources and income. The deception became more intricate when Jesmin Ackbar and Eurrsk Thri'ag used Darillian's holorecorded diary to create an overlay of Darillian over Loran, generating 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 the disguised Loran departed. Loran also assisted in fighting a group of pirates on M2398 after negotiations failed, delivering the eulogy for Jesmin Ackbar after she was killed in combat.

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

Trapping the Implacable

After a quick raid on Todirium III in the Night Caller, Trigit instructed "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. During the ensuing Battle of Talasea, Loran developed a tactic known as the "Loran Spitball," where a group of X-wings would fire a salvo of proton torpedoes while still inside their carrier's bow hangar, providing an unexpected addition to a ship's firepower in the opening moments of battle. Loran was heading towards his fighter when Night Caller took a hit that destroyed the bridge, forcing Loran to take control of the ship from the auxiliary bridge. The Wraiths defeated the two other ships in the following engagement, and Loran was promoted to lieutenant for his actions.

Following a hasty refit, the Night Caller set out to attempt to trap the Implacable again. Loran convinced both Zsinj and Trigit that they had narrowly escaped an ambush and should attack the Rebels at Ession. Upon their arrival in that system, Loran had to improvise another performance, almost revealing his assumed 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 in 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 from the failing ship. Loran, for his part, scored kills on the Implacable's TIEs and also helped torpedo the Destroyer. After the battle, the Wraiths were granted leave on the planet Borleias.

Return to action

The squadron then returned to Coruscant, but their leave time had not yet expired. While in a bar, they were attacked by a cyborg and became involved in a bar fight. Military police quickly arrived, rounding them up for the altercation, but Loran noticed inconsistencies in the captain's walking mannerisms and story, and he signaled Antilles about the trap, who put Loran in charge. Loran struck the first blow, and the Wraiths quickly subdued the ersatz policemen, who were later revealed to be infiltrators. Loran faced some official scrutiny for his actions and judgment, but he demonstrated his ability to match a person's mannerism and walking style with their planet, exonerating himself.

The incident resulted in the cancellation of their leave time, and Antilles tasked them with "getting inside" Zsinj's mind to understand his modus operandi and motives. Loran led one of the planning groups and concluded that Iron Fist was the key to both Zsinj's power and strategy, asserting that Zsinj would attempt to raid Kuat for a new Super Star Destroyer. Loran also somewhat facetiously surmised that Ysanne Isard was alive, a fact that the New Republic would discover years later to be true.

Loran also became involved in a plan to trap Atton Repness, a corrupt New Republic Colonel, in a blackmail and theft scheme that had already ensnared one of the Wraiths, Tyria Sarkin, back when she was attending the Academy. Loran and Ton Phanan recruited Lara Notsil, an intelligent prisoner from the Implacable who was believed to be Trigit's unwilling mistress, to be sponsored through pilot's training as bait for Repness. Notsil, officially free of scrutiny, agreed on the condition that she be admitted to Rogue or Wraith Squadron upon graduating from the Academy. Unbeknownst to Loran or Phanan, Notsil was actually Gara Petothel, one of Trigit's intelligence operatives, who was well-trained enough to deceive Loran by masking her Coruscanti heritage with a barely noticeable Aldivian accent. Notsil performed better than expected and eventually lured Repness out and betrayed him.

Pirate Captain

Based on reports of Zsinj's recruitment of pirates, Loran and some of the other Wraiths were ordered to pose as the Hawk-bat Independent Space Force, with Loran using his acting skills and extensive fake burn scar makeup to become the leader of the group, General Kargin. Using the same ruse that had been attempted against them on Coruscant, but in the guise of the Hawk-bats, the Wraiths infiltrated an Imperial base on Halmad. They stole five TIE Interceptors to equip their forces, in addition to the Sungrass, a dilapidated transport that served as their launching platform when they weren't at Hawk-bat Base, an abandoned mining base in the Halmad system. They initiated their piratical spree by attacking a tanker after Loran obtained their navigational data from a drunk crew member planetside, and continued from there. Loran and most of the other Wraiths made a brief stop on Mon Remonda, the Mon Calamari cruiser where they were officially stationed, to collect orders and supplies, and Notsil, fresh from graduating with honors from an accelerated training program, joined them as one of the Wraiths. This was a great relief to 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 launched a raid on Lavisar against Imperial (non-Zsinj) forces stationed there, believing that Zsinj's elite Raptors were present. However, it was a deception by Zsinj, designed to trick the New Republic into weakening Imperial worlds for Zsinj to take over. Simultaneously, Loran found himself 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.

Upon their return to Hawk-bat Base, the location where Tainer, Phanan, Ekwesh, and Castin Donn were left, Loran once again played the part of Kargin, strategizing an attack against Halmad's two bases for starfighters. However, his concern grew for his friend and wingman, Ton Phanan, whose despondency and apathy had worsened. Before Loran could have further conversation with Phanan, they began their Halmad assault, only to discover that the planet was now under Zsinj's protection.

With the arrival of the Iron Fist, the Wraiths encountered stronger planetary defenses after capturing the Bastion, an old refueling tanker in orbit. They called off the mission, destroying many starfighters in their escape, and crashed their captured tanker into the Iron Fist to slow down its pursuit. During the retreat, Phanan was shot down and seriously wounded. Loran landed his ship to rescue him and, avoiding Zsinj's troops who were searching the area, located Phanan. He tried to bring the other pilot to safety, but Phanan refused to allow Loran to surrender to save him. Realizing he was dying and regretting letting his past control him, Ton confronted Loran for making the same mistake. Phanan passed away soon after, naming Loran as the sole recipient of his inheritance. Heartbroken, Loran destroyed his wingman's body and went back to Hawk-bat Base. Upon reading Phanan's will, he found that it stipulated he must use the inherited funds to remove the facial scar he had carried as a symbol of remembrance and shame for years, or else lose all the money to his hated holodrama rival, Tetran Cowall.

Meeting with Zsinj

Loran had little time to mourn, however, because Zsinj, impressed by their combat skills over Halmad, contacted the Hawk-bats and requested a meeting to discuss hiring them. Being the leader of the pirates and the squadron's main actor, Loran was chosen for the mission, along with Dia Passik and Kell Tainer. Their initial meeting with Zsinj proved fruitful, as the warlord quickly agreed to employ them for a risky mission at a substantial price. Loran also seized the opportunity to use saBinring's bio-altered background as a cover story for Lieutenant Kettch, whom Zsinj believed to be a member of the Hawk-bats because of comm modifications that disguised Antilles' voice as an Ewok's over Halmad. Zsinj's reaction convinced Loran that the warlord was more knowledgeable than he revealed.

The mission took a dangerous turn when Zsinj presented them with Wraith Castin Donn, who had disobeyed orders by infiltrating the Iron Fist to plant a harmful program. 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 his apparent breathing was a deception.

After they departed the Iron Fist, Loran asked Passik to explain her actions. As she explained, she lost control of her emotions and almost committed suicide due to the horror of what she had done. Loran prevented her from doing so and thanked her for saving them from certain death.

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

Loran then commanded the Hawk-bats in combat at Kuat alongside Zsinj's fleet against the Imperial defenders, with some of the Wraiths strategically positioning themselves to sabotage the Super Star Destroyers later. Zsinj's forces successfully escaped with the new Destroyer, Razor's Kiss, but a program planted in it 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 led by Han Solo and engaged Zsinj's forces. Loran, flying an X-wing this time, made attacks against Razor's Kiss and defended the B-wing starfighters of Nova Squadron as they targeted Iron Fist. During the battle, Loran sustained serious damage and considered a suicide run into Iron Fist's shield generators. However, he remembered Phanan's last words and aborted his fatal run, allowing himself to be escorted back to a landing bay. While receiving medical attention for his wounds, he also had his scar removed. All the surviving Wraiths happily reunited on the damaged Mon Remonda to celebrate their victory.

Hunting a warlord

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

On their first mission after the repairs, Zsinj's forces ambushed Mon Remonda. Loran and the Wraiths were again tasked with covering Nova Squadron, but later assisted in taking down a Carrack-class light cruiser to reduce the pressure on Mon Remonda. The starfighter assault successfully distracted the enemy from Mon Remonda, and Solo's fleet jumped to hyperspace. After the battle, the New Republic pilots realized that since the destruction of Razor's Kiss, they had gained little information on Zsinj's activities. Loran suggested creating a fake Millennium Falcon to draw out the warlord, and the Wraiths acquired another YT-1300 light freighter, calling it the Millennium Falsehood, to impersonate the Falcon in a series of 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 created Voort "Piggy" saBinring, a Gamorrean Wraith. Loran led the infiltration team, advancing deeper into the facility under the cover of darkness, but the entire place was a trap designed to kill them. The trap was triggered when the team fell through a trap door 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, albeit reckless, assault, capturing Dr. Edda Gast, one of Zsinj's scientists, on the way out. Loran called in their air support, the Rogues, to cover their extraction. With Rogue Squadron providing cover, Loran and the others returned to Mon Remonda. Despite their injuries, he felt positive about the mission, knowing 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 taking damage from brainwashed New Republic pilots. Afterwards, 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 cooperate against their common enemy, the warlord.

During her time in Wraith Squadron, Loran began to suspect that Lara Notsil was not who she appeared to be; when she was nervous, unguarded, or disturbed, her body language suggested 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 try to betray the Wraiths, unaware that Notsil had changed her heart and ideology after joining the Wraiths. In the battle, Loran stayed away from the main fight, with his wingman Lara staying by his side. 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 heard him. Myn Donos, whose squadron Gara Petothel had helped destroy, went insane and tried to attack Lara, whom he had become attracted to before learning her 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 not pleased with Donos, or with Loran.

Showdown

However, their campaign continued, with the Wraiths carrying out numerous ground and air strike missions against Zsinj-allied businesses and Zsinj's military. On one 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 disabled the Reprisal's shields and increased the damage with a proton torpedo salvo, which destroyed the ship. Then they jumped to 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 said she was trying to sabotage Zsinj, and concluded she was sincere in her intention 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 the information Lara had provided. Rogriss reluctantly agreed to bring 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 Iron Fist, leading to a full fleet engagement between the two fleets. Despite Rogriss's assistance, Iron Fist escaped the Battle of Vahaba, although damaged. However, Lara Notsil sabotaged the Star Dreadnaught, stranding it nearby with minimal support. When Solo learned of this, he brought his entire fleet in pursuit of the suddenly vulnerable Iron Fist. The result was the Battle of Selaggis.

Loran flew against Iron Fist in the battle, attacking 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 Selaggis, the Rogues and Wraiths followed to engage them, and 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 Iron Fist and escaped 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 taken over 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 gained 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, to 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 eventuality. Loran signaled his teammates stationed around the club, and they immediately started a diversion in the form of a fake Imperial Navy raid. Teradoc attempted to shoot Loran, but he created a cover to escape with 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 made their way 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 exploded, destroying Teradoc and his research labs containing plague viruses, toxins, and a sonic project designed to destroy lightsaber crystals. Their mission accomplished, Loran and the Wraiths treated themselves to the provisions on Teradoc's yacht as they departed Ryvester.

Yuuzhan Vong invasion

In the year 25 ABY, the Yuuzhan Vong launched a full-scale invasion of the galaxy, swiftly capturing world after world. During the opening years of this Yuuzhan Vong War, Loran spearheaded the squadron's attempts to penetrate the Vong-controlled territories, focusing on 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 enemy territory. Kept in the dark about the intentional nature of the team's capture, he was ordered to cease his search when he neared the truth, a decision he strongly resented.

Before the Yuuzhan Vong could overrun Coruscant, Loran spearheaded the Wraiths' mission to evacuate Wedge Antilles' wife, Iella, along with their daughters, Syal and Myri. After successfully fleeing Coruscant, the squadron journeyed to Borleias, where Loran reunited Antilles' family with Antilles, who had successfully liberated the planet. Subsequently, the Wraiths lent their support to Antilles' endeavors aimed at driving the Yuuzhan Vong from the jungle world. Soon after, Loran and the Wraiths received orders to assist Jedi Master Luke Skywalker in devising a plan to infiltrate Coruscant's surface to investigate the disturbing visions reported by the Jedi. Throughout the mission briefing, Loran and the other Wraiths thoroughly enjoyed teasing the Jedi Master, and they also supplied the essential infiltration and insertion gear, including orbital insertion pods, convincing Yuuzhan Vong armor replicas, and disguised probe droids. The infiltration team, which also consisted of two additional Jedi, Mara Jade Skywalker and Tahiri Veila, alongside scientist Danni Quee, was transported to Coruscant aboard the transport ship Record Time. To evade detection, they ejected from the cargo bay and descended to the surface within their insertion pods, mingling with other debris.

Once on Coruscant, Loran and his companions assessed the extent of the Vongforming that had been inflicted upon the planet, while Skywalker and the other Jedi probed the emanations of the dark side they had detected on the fallen capital. They discovered that the planet's orbit, vegetation, and atmosphere had all undergone drastic alterations, including the creation of a nauseating odor resulting from the decomposition of countless corpses. Loran assisted the team by providing rags soaked in perfume, but the horrific sights and sounds of the ravaged capital remained undeniable, leading the team to the grim conclusion that 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 materialized. Employing his knowledge of Yuuzhan Vong culture and language, he attempted to bluff his way past them, but the warriors, unaware of the infiltrators' true identities, grew hostile. Thanks to the Jedi's combat prowess and an explosive device provided by Kell Tainer, the infiltrators eliminated the entire group before they could raise an alarm. Subsequently, they established contact with survivors on Coruscant, a group known as the Walkway Collective. Loran was among the two Wraiths instructed to accompany the two Skywalkers to meet with the collective. From these survivors, the Wraiths and Jedi learned about Lord Nyax, a disturbed, cybernetically enhanced Dark Jedi lurking within Coruscant's undercity.

On one of numerous reconnaissance missions, Loran and Veila discovered an air-purification station. Following a more thorough examination, Skywalker revealed that the devourer tank inside the station concealed an entrance to a clandestine laboratory. After exploring the lab and examining the droids within, they determined that it had originally been used to transform Nyax beyond human limitations, and that his killing spree had originated there. While Quee, Wraith operative Bhindi Drayson, and the Skywalkers investigated the laboratory, Loran marked the exits and assigned Tainer to guard duty. Given the laboratory's abandoned state and access to fresh air, the group established a temporary base there. Loran and Tainer also deployed numerous holocams on the surface to gather astronomical data. Loran and Skywalker also embarked on numerous expeditions to locate functional vehicles. During this period, Tainer and Loran engaged in a contest of endurance to determine who would first admit discomfort while wearing their Yuuzhan Vong disguises, while the rest of the group had largely abandoned wearing them. On one such excursion, Loran and Drayson were investigating a computer within a building that had formerly served as a Starfighter Command recruiting office when Skywalker spotted Lord Nyax in the distance. They swiftly evacuated the building, which was then overrun by a group of desperate Coruscant survivors who proceeded to ransack the premises. Loran proposed 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 battled Nyax, Loran and Tainer apprehended 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 tearing through the cityscape toward the ruins of the old Jedi Temple. Under Skywalker's orders, Loran pursued the droid, resisting Nyax's mental commands and evading the low-flying coralskippers. His persistence proved instrumental in guiding the Jedi to the droid's location in their pursuit of Nyax. After the three Jedi engaged Nyax in a final showdown at the site of the ruined temple, Loran returned to the Ugly Truth, a functional transport that Tainer had discovered by following Shesh's vehicle locator. The two blasted the ship free from its hiding place, picked up the others, and escaped 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 creation, comm-buzzers, capable of tracking comlink signals, resulted in the deaths of longtime Wraith Squadron members Hohass Ekwesh and Estoric Sandskimmer. Loran attempted to console the mission's survivor, Voort saBinring, who had been close to Ekwesh, but saBinring's grief was so profound that he resigned from the unit, even when Loran tried to emphasize that Ekwesh's death had not been in vain.

Later, Loran and the Wraiths participated in the Battle of Obroa-skai, an attempt to assassinate Yuuzhan Vong Supreme Overlord Shimrra Jamaane. The Wraiths' cloaked ships played a crucial role in jamming yammosk war coordinators, contributing to the destruction of the Yuuzhan Vong fleet, although Shimrra was not present. Loran also fought in the Battle of Yuuzhan'tar, the war's final engagement, teaming up with Shamed Ones and resistance forces on the planet's surface. The newly established Galactic Alliance ultimately triumphed over the Yuuzhan Vong, bringing the conflict to an end.

Retirement and reformation

Following the war, Loran continued his service within Galactic Alliance Intelligence for many years, eventually achieving the rank of general. He also married Dia Passik and adopted her daughter Adra Passik. However, after 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 brought the Galactic Alliance to its knees during the recent Lost Tribe of Sith emergence. Maddeus requested that Loran assemble a new Wraith team discreetly and unofficially to investigate Thaal, and Loran agreed. Maddeus provided him with a hyperdrive-equipped space yacht, the Quarren Eye, and Loran commenced his investigation.

Reflecting his extensive and distinguished career as an intelligence officer, Loran implemented extraordinary safeguards when forming his new Wraiths. Distrustful of the Quarren Eye, he never divulged his true intentions or the identities of his new Wraiths over its communication systems, instead transmitting only the details of a fabricated unit. He also established two distinct Wraith Squadron teams, keeping them isolated and unaware of each other's existence while assigning them to investigate Thaal from different perspectives. Both teams were led by seasoned Wraiths, with Loran recruiting his former colleagues from the Yuuzhan Vong War, Sharr Latt and Bhindi Drayson, to lead one team each. 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. saBinring was reluctant to rejoin the unit after his experience on Chashima, but Loran convinced him that his skills were essential.

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 orchestrating a heist that Drayson's team was planning as part of their investigation, unexpectedly placing a thoroughly unprepared saBinring into the situation and then departing to attend to his own matters. Remaining on Coruscant, he met with Zehrinne Thaal, Thaal's ex-wife. She revealed that their marriage had essentially dissolved after an unproductive union, and she informed him that Thaal was unfaithful and had engaged in numerous affairs with younger women. Loran obtained their names from Zehrinne Thaal and discovered that the most recent mistress, Keura Fallatte, had recently vanished. He returned home and secretly forwarded the information to the Wraiths, while transmitting a false report through the Quarren Eye. With his work temporarily completed, he spent time with his wife and daughter, opting to order takeout for dinner instead of cooking.

Loran later visited Davian, a Bothan lieutenant in the Galactic Alliance Navy who served as one of his informants. The officer provided him with the cargo manifests of several naval cargo vessels that had disappeared over the years. Loran discovered that all the missing vessels carried a HyperTech Industries communications device, typically a hypercomm. 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 implant credentials for a fictitious Imperial identity that Drayson's Wraiths were using to try and draw out Thaal's co-conspirators.

Shortly thereafter, while piloting his airspeeder, Loran noticed that he was being followed by another vehicle. He landed in an open-air market to shake off his pursuer, who quickly landed and followed him, revealing themselves to be a Sullustan and an Aqualish. Loran pretended to be shopping, procuring the necessary items to create an impromptu decoy to distract the Aqualish, who revealed his homicidal intent by knifing the decoy. Realizing the danger he was in, Loran killed the Sullustan and broke contact as the Aqualish revealed himself. Throwing a recently acquired toy lightsaber as a distraction, 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. It had been, so Loran cut himself to leave genetic evidence of his presumed death and then abandoned the vehicle, instructing the droid brain to fly it away, where it soon exploded due to the sabotage. Loran went into hiding, informing his wife and daughter and some other associates to warn them. His wife killed 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 over the Quarren Eye, most of whom were either fictitious or deceased. 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 that 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 he did not immediately reveal his knowledge of Maddeus' involvement. Loran disclosed 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, their conspiracy to establish their private empire thwarted by Wraith Squadron.

He then met extensively with the new Chief of State, Wynn Dorvan, and detailed his recent activities, omitting the identities of the new Wraiths. In recognition of his efforts, he was offered Maddeus' former position, which he accepted. His wife made him promise to cease his spying and shooting and to focus on his new desk job. Loran also suggested that the new Wraiths could continue as an unofficial asset of the intelligence service, which was approved, with saBinring appointed as the new unit leader.

Personality and traits

Loran carried a heavy burden of guilt for his past as a child actor serving the Empire, blaming and burdening himself with his youthful actions, which manifested in his career as insubordination and insolence. The stigma stemming from his past haunted him until his friend and wingman Ton Phanan persuaded him to relinquish the guilt, arguing that his "debt" existed solely in his mind.

However, Loran typically concealed this guilt, maintaining a calm and composed demeanor, characteristic of an actor, even while undertaking perilous missions or delivering eulogies. This composure enabled him to remain cool and collected in stressful situations, and he was swiftly promoted to captain from flight officer due to his leadership qualities. He was also known for his humor and was considered one of the two "smart mouths" in the Wraiths by his fellow pilots, taking great pleasure in delivering numerous jibes and jests. Loran particularly enjoyed joking around with Luke Skywalker during the Yuuzhan Vong War, and he continued to do so throughout their mission to Coruscant.

As a seasoned intelligence officer following the Second Galactic Civil War, Loran still utilized his acting skills to convincingly portray emotions when interviewing potential assets. Loran was also a highly skilled operative, capable of faking his death, orchestrating elaborate ruses, and participating in intricate plots of subterfuge. He was known for both challenging authority and suspecting nearly everyone, including his superiors. Loran did not welcome forced retirement and viewed it unfavorably. He was a devoted husband and father, demonstrating great concern for his wife and daughter. To his wife, he promised never to provoke her extreme anger, and regarding his daughter's dating life, he quipped that if he had any hair left, it would have turned gray from those experiences.

Relationships

Loran was regarded as one of the most attractive human males during his youth, and rumors of his death allegedly broke the hearts of countless young women throughout the galaxy. He would continue to leverage his recognition and childhood fame throughout his career.

Dia Passik

Dia Passik joined the Wraiths after the destruction of the Implacable. Initially, she was hostile to Loran, resisting his attempts to charm her, but she eventually fell for the Lorrdian pilot. Their relationship blossomed, especially after he prevented her from taking her own life. The relationship proved beneficial to both of them, helping Passik integrate into her new unit and enabling Loran to become more open towards his fellow pilots while coping with the loss of Phanan. 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 conceived by Aaron Allston for his four Wraith Squadron novels. Allston has stated on his website that the Face Loran/Ton Phanan pairing is one of his favorites for its humorous potential. According to Allston, Loran was inspired by the renowned silent-film actor John Barrymore, famously known as "The Great Profile." While not official, Allston estimates Loran to be 24 years old in 7.5 ABY at the formation of Wraith Squadron. Allston also believes that Loran's relatively slow 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 expressed his belief that the relationship between Loran and Passik would not last and that they would part ways amicably. However, 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 separated for a period.