Merlino was a 23rd century individual. By the late 2270s, Merlino was serving in Starfleet as a security guard, assigned to the USS Enterprise, under the command of James T. Kirk.
Starfleet career[]
USS Enterprise[]
In 2277, Merlino accompanied Admiral Kirk and Security Chief Galloway on a landing party mission to the Automate-66 pyrex plant on planet Marris V. Along with most of the crew, Merlino later became infected with a contagious bacteria spread by touch. He was incapacitated with Morpheus-Nine anesthesia gas and then cured with shots of a saline solution and vitamins. (TOS - Star Trek II Short Stories short story: "Wild Card")