Garik Loran

Garik "Face" Loran was an Imperial holovid child star. Later in life, Loran escaped the Empire and had a change of heart, joining the Rebel Alliance and serving as a starfighter pilot. After a rather unimpressive career, Loran was recruited into Wraith Squadron by Wedge Antilles. Face flourished in the Wraiths, using his skills and talents at acting to help destroy the Implacable and the Razor's Kiss through unorthodox schemes such posing as General Kargin, the leader of the Hawk-bat Independent Space Force. He eventually was promoted to Brevet Captain and became the commander of the Wraiths after Wedge transferred back to Rogue Squadron.

When New Republic Intelligence took over Wraith Squadron, Loran followed the unit over to Intelligence. Loran served as commander of the Wraiths for many years, including through the entire Yuuzhan Vong invasion. He helped defend Borleias and infiltrate occupied Coruscant, along with Luke Skywalker, Mara Jade Skywalker, Tahiri Veila, and Danni Quee, the latter mission resulting in the successful elimination of the dangerous Dark Jedi Lord Nyax before the Dark Jedi could escape off of the planet.

Biography
A Pantolomin native of Lorrdian heritage, as a child Loran made thinly-veiled Imperial propaganda holodramas such as The Black Bantha, Jungle Flutes, and Win or Die—becoming in many ways the galaxywide poster child for Imperial recruitment. Kidnapped by an extremist cell that had been kicked out of the Rebels forces, his face was severely damaged when Imperial stormtroopers massacred his kidnappers in a rescue attempt. However, before his captors planned on killing him, they gave him a thorough briefing in the atrocities committed by the Empire and Imperial Intelligence. Loran used this occasion to disappear, leaving his fans to believe that he had died in the fight. His supposed death was later used by the remaining Empire to try and corrupt the image of the New Republic by trying to tell of how the Rebels were the cause of his death.

Upon reaching maturity, Loran used his own money to purchase his own A-wing starfighter and joined 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. He had a brief relationship with a female lieutenant at the Academy which included him being locked out of his quarters naked as a pratical joke. Though Loran played off the joke, he still written up and had to clean everyone's boots for graduation. The actor was a poor fit in the disciplined life of military command, however, and charges of insurbordination dogged his career.In truth, Loran despised himself for furthering the Imperial cause and projected his own self-loathing towards authority of any kind.

Wraith Squadron
"Face is one of our intrusion experts, proficient in makeup, speaks several languages other than Basic&mdash;" "Don't forget, master actor."

- Wedge Antilles and Face Loran



In 7 ABY Loran found a last chance as New Republic starfighter heroes Wedge Antilles and Wes Janson began building the starfighter-commando hybrid squad for misfits and washouts that would become known as Wraith Squadron at Folor Base. After the squad was assembled, Flight Officer Loran earned the designation Wraith Eight. He quickly became friends with his wingman Ton Phanan, a medical doctor who was almost as bitter as Loran was.

Charade
When Apwar Trigit arrived over Folor, Loran helped sound the alarm, and participated in the subsequent ambush against Trigit's TIE Fighters that he sent against the base. Loran, who already had four kills to his name, scored two more, becoming an ace in his first engagement with the Wraiths. The Wraiths, who had avoided any casualties in the engagement, 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 hostiles like to show up soon, Face suggested leaving the craft behind with a pilot in a jury-rigged pilot's chair with a laser rifle. When their attackers pulled in the debris from the attack, the pilot could protect himself. The idea evolved until they had left Voort saBinring in a shielded compartment pulled from their shuttle with a small repulsorlift and a stripped down laser cannon. When the corvette Night Caller arrived, Voort (also known as Piggy), was pulled into the ship and hit the bridge with the crude laser cannon weapon, killing the captain. Once the rest of the squadron burst from cover in their freshly repaired X-wings, the corvette quickly surrendered, and Wedge decided to have them pose as the Night Caller's crew, as they had learned that Trigit was unaware of the capture of the ship.

Later, Phanan's death at the hands of Zsinj's Raptors gave Face a new perspective on life. At the Battle of Talasea, Face invented a tactic that came to be known as the "Loran Spitball," in which a group of X-wings would fire a salvo of proton torpedoes while still in their carrier's bow hangar, providing an unexpected addition to a ship's firepower in the opening moments of battle.

Pirate captain
After a promotion to lieutenant, Face led the Hawk-bat Independent Space Force&mdash;a fake pirate group made up of members of Wraith Squadron. Face took the role of "General Kargin," and wore a disguise consisting of extensive false scars to conceal his very recognizable appearance. The Hawk-bats infiltrated Zsinj's organization, in order to learn more about him and his operations. After a disastrous meeting with the warlord aboard his personal Super Star Destroyer Iron Fist, Loran embarked on a passionate affair with fellow Wraith Dia Passik. Face also finally had his facial scar removed, as Phanan's will stipulated that if he did not do so, a small fortune would be given to his hated holodrama rival Tetran Cowall.

Shortly after the destruction of Zsinj's Razor's Kiss by Wraith and Rogue Squadrons, Face was promoted to captain and commander of Wraith squadron when Antilles and Janson returned to their former squadron. Face continued service with the Wraiths when it was transferred to New Republic Intelligence (NRI). He maintained a lasting friendship with long-time squadmate Kell Tainer, who had been friends with him since Wraith Squadron was initially formed.

At some point, Loran shaved his head, and added a false scar to prevent enemies from identifying him. He also came to have the nickname, or call sign, of "Poster Boy" within Wraith Squadron.

Yuuzhan Vong Invasion
"I hate my job."

- Face Loran on occupied Coruscant

During the first few years of the Yuuzhan Vong war, Loran led the squadron in efforts to break through Vong-held territory along a frontier stretching from Vortex to Bimmisaari. Loran also participated in a search for the vessel that had captured and carried the Myrkr strike team into Vong space. Not privy to the plan behind the team, he was called off the search after getting too close to the truth, much to his displeasure. He led the Wraiths' evacuation of Antilles's wife and two daughters from Coruscant before they could be captured by Vong invaders. After the fall of that planet, the squad traveled to Borleias and assisted Antilles's efforts to repel the Vong from the Core Worlds. He also joined Luke Skywalker on his mission to Coruscant's surface, helping to defeat Lord Nyax and ultimately end the treachery of former New Republic Senator Viqi Shesh.

Loran also participated in the Battle of Yuuzhan'tar, joining up with Shamed Ones and resistance units on the planet's surface.

Appearances

 * X-wing: Wraith Squadron
 * X-wing: Iron Fist
 * X-wing: Solo Command
 * Star by Star
 * Enemy Lines I: Rebel Dream
 * Enemy Lines II: Rebel Stand
 * Destiny's Way
 * The Unifying Force