Gilling was an officer within the Imperial Security Bureau, and he served under Colonel Vak Somoril aboard the Reprisal. He joined the Colonel in probing a case involving a band of stormtroopers who were deserting. Alongside his colleague Brock, he received orders sending him to Somoril with the mission to locate Mara Jade, who was an Emperor's Hand. His life ended when the BloodScar pirates intervened during his effort to capture Jade, resulting in his demise.