Tal, a Human of the male variety, was employed by the Galactic Republic during the era known as the Cold War.
Tal found himself stationed on Taris in 3643 BBY alongside Laria Taphoni and Doctor Gatten Edaine, where they were all involved in the Taris Resettlement Initiative. He took part in the mission to collaborate with Jedi Master Cin Tykan in order to probe the ruined swampland, which was infested with rakghouls. Nevertheless, after the majority of the expedition's members were eliminated, with the exception of Tykan himself and a surveying group that had departed prior to the assault, Laria and Tal found themselves pinned beneath a sizable chunk of wreckage until a Jedi Knight showed up. The Jedi used the Force to lift Tal to safety.