| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Field Researcher at age 18 |
| 1 | Spend time with an alien race. Gain a contact. |
| 1 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 2 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 22 |
| 2 | A romantic relationship ends badly. Gain a Rival or Enemy. |
| 2 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 3 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 26 |
| 3 | Caught cheating in some fashion, advancing your career and research by stealing another’s work, using an alien device, taking a shortcut and so forth. |
| 3 | A disaster or war strikes. |
| 3 | Scarred. Owe 1,250 for medical bills. |
| 3 | The planetary government interferes with your research for political or religious reasons. You continue working openly and gain an Enemy. |
| 3 | Gain an Enemy |
| 3 | Promoted to rank 3 |
| 4 | Voluntarily left Field Researcher |
| 4 | Became a Wanderer at age 30 |
| 4 | Survived a risky adventure but gained nothing. |
| 5 | Voluntarily left Wanderer |
| 5 | Became a Free Trader at age 34 |
| 5 | Given advanced training in a specialist field |
| 5 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 6 | Voluntarily left Free Trader |
| 6 | Switched to Merchant Marine at age 38 |
| 6 | Is now a Crewman |
| 6 | Your business or ship thrives. |
| 6 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 6 | Is now a Senior Crewman |
| 7 | Continued as Merchant Marine at age 42 |
| 7 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 7 | Is now a 4th Officer |
| 8 | Continued as Merchant Marine at age 46 |
| 8 | Befriend a useful ally in one sphere. Gain an Ally. |
| 8 | Promoted to rank 3 |
| 8 | Is now a 3rd Officer |
| 9 | Continued as Merchant Marine at age 50 |
| 9 | Make an unexpected connection outside your normal circles. Gain a Contact. |
| 9 | Promoted to rank 4 |
| 9 | Is now a 2nd Officer |
| 10 | Continued as Merchant Marine at age 54 |
| 10 | Make an unexpected connection outside your normal circles. Gain a Contact. |
| 10 | Promoted to rank 5 |
| 10 | Is now a 1st Officer |
| 11 | Aging Crisis. Owe 40,000 for medical bills. |
| 11 | Continued as Merchant Marine at age 58 |
| 11 | Make an unexpected connection outside your normal circles. Gain a Contact. |
| 11 | Promoted to rank 6 |
| 11 | Is now a Captain |
| 12 | Aging Crisis. Owe 40,000 for medical bills. |
| 12 | Continued as Merchant Marine at age 62 |
| 12 | Good fortune |
| 12 | Promoted to rank 7 |
| 13 | Aging Crisis. Owe 10,000 for medical bills. |
| 13 | Continued as Merchant Marine at age 66 |
| 13 | Make an unexpected connection outside your normal circles. Gain a Contact. |
| 13 | Forced to muster out. |
| 14 | Aging Crisis. Owe 10,000 for medical bills. |