| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Surveyor at age 18 |
| 1 | Perform an exemplary service for the scouts. |
| 1 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 1 | Is now a Scout |
| 2 | Continued as Surveyor at age 22 |
| 2 | When dealing with an alien race, you botch an opportunity to gather extra intelligence about them. |
| 2 | You have no idea what happened to you – they found your ship drifting on the fringes of friendly space. |
| 2 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 3 | Continued as Surveyor at age 26 |
| 3 | When dealing with an alien race, you botch an opportunity to gather extra intelligence about them. |
| 3 | You inadvertently cause a conflict between the Imperium and a minor world or race. Gain a Rival. |
| 3 | Promoted to rank 3 |
| 3 | Is now a Senior Scout |
| 4 | Continued as Surveyor at age 30 |
| 4 | Betrayal. Convert an Ally into a Rival or Enemy. |
| 4 | Promoted to rank 4 |
| 5 | Continued as Surveyor at age 34 |
| 5 | Spend several years jumping from world to world in your scout ship. |
| 5 | Promoted to rank 5 |
| 6 | Voluntarily left Surveyor |
| 6 | Became a Journalist at age 38 |
| 6 | Go on a tour of the sector, visiting several worlds. Gain 1 Contacts. |
| 6 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 6 | Is now a Freelancer |
| 7 | Continued as Journalist at age 42 |
| 7 | Go on a tour of the sector, visiting several worlds. Gain 1 Contacts. |
| 7 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 7 | Is now a Staff Writer |
| 8 | Continued as Journalist at age 46 |
| 8 | Betrayal. Convert an Ally into a Rival or Enemy. |
| 8 | Promoted to rank 3 |
| 9 | Voluntarily left Journalist |
| 9 | Became a Wanderer at age 50 |
| 9 | Encounter a Psionic institute. |
| 9 | Tested for psionic powers |
| 10 | Continued as Wanderer at age 54 |
| 10 | Injured. Fully recovered. Owe 2,500 for medical bills. |
| 11 | Became a Pirate at age 58 |
| 11 | Is now a Lackey |
| 11 | Scarred. Fully recovered. Owe 10,000 for medical bills. |
| 12 | Switched to Scavenger at age 62 |
| 12 | Betrayed by a friend. One of your Contacts or Allies betrays you, ending your career. That Contact or Ally becomes a Rival or Enemy. |
| 13 | Aging Crisis. Owe 60,000 for medical bills. |
| 13 | Retired at age 66 |
| 13 | Good fortune |
| 14 | Aging Crisis. Owe 60,000 for medical bills. |
| 14 | Victim of a crime |
| 15 | Aging Crisis. Owe 10,000 for medical bills. |