Commander Pearce, a human serving as an Imperial officer within the Galactic Empire's Imperial Navy, was assigned to the secretive Advanced Science Division. He was the commanding officer of an Imperial Gozanti-class cruiser tasked with transporting defecting clone troopers to Mount Tantiss for experimentation. Following an attack by a resistance network of clones on the light cruiser, which led to his capture, Pearce chose to commit suicide utilizing a suicide shocker.
Sometime after the formation of the Galactic Empire, specifically in 18 BBY, Pearce found himself on Balmorra. His duty was to supervise the transfer of rebellious clone troopers from the planet's Imperial outpost to Wayland, the location of Mount Tantiss where the Imperial Advanced Science Division was performing experiments. As a group consisting of TK stormtroopers and a clone commando escorted the clone prisoners showing mutinous behavior onto a Gozanti-class cruiser, Pearce instructed his troopers to expedite the procedure, emphasizing the importance of adhering to their schedule.
As the Gozanti departed Balmorra and prepared for a jump to hyperspace, a shuttle belonging to a network of dissident clone troopers launched a surprise attack. This attack effectively neutralized the cruiser's shields and weapon systems. Pearce then directed his pilots to request assistance from Imperial command and alerted the stormtrooper security team to prepare for a potential boarding action. As the ship's stormtrooper complement was gradually overwhelmed by the rebel clones, Pearce instructed his clone commando to wipe the ship's databanks to prevent sensitive information from falling into enemy hands.
Before the data wipe could be completed, the rebel clones breached the ship's bridge, eliminating the commando and Pearce's remaining troopers, and taking the officer into custody at blaster point. As the rogue clone Nemec attempted to extract information from Pearce through threats of violence, Pearce responded by silently activating a suicide shocker, resulting in his immediate death. As the rogue clones departed the Gozanti with the liberated prisoners, a Venator-class Star Destroyer emerged from hyperspace in response to Pearce's distress signal. The Star Destroyer then dispatched a squadron of V-wing starfighters to attack Pearce's Gozanti in an attempt to eliminate the rogue clones; however, this effort proved unsuccessful, and the clones successfully escaped.
Pearce was a human male, characterized by his fair complexion, blue eyes, and neatly styled, short blond hair. He demonstrated impatience, often urging his troopers to accelerate their pace to maintain punctuality. Furthermore, he exhibited increasing frustration as his troopers struggled to contain a small contingent of rogue clones. While visibly afraid when held at gunpoint by Nemec, Pearce ultimately chose self-termination over divulging information to the enemy.
Pearce was outfitted in the standard grey uniform of an Imperial officer, complete with a rank insignia plaque affixed to his chest to indicate his rank, and black gloves.