R.M. Merik was a male human who attended Starfleet Academy in the 2250s, at the same time as James T. Kirk. He was dropped in his fifth year after failing a psycho-simulator test, and instead joined the Federation Merchant Marine. In 2262, Merik's ship, the SS Beagle, became disabled near the 892 system. Merik and a landing party beamed down to the fourth planet, where they were met by Proconsul Claudius Marcus. Merik was made the First Citizen and Lord of the Games, and his crew convinced to beam down to the surface, where they were forced to fight as gladiators.