Who is Samuel Tomas Gillespee from The Last Command and what is their importance?

Samuel Tomas Gillespee

Samuel Tomas Gillespee is Smuggler Talon Karrde's "slightly less than honorable" friend, Gillespee flies Kern's Pride with an altered ID. He narrowly escapes the Imperial conquest of Ukio carrying proof that the Empire does not have a new secret weapon that penetrates planetary shields but is a trick.