| Term | History |
|---|
| 1 | Became a Courier at age 18 |
| 1 | You have no idea what happened to you – they found your ship drifting on the fringes of friendly space. |
| 2 | Switched to Explorer at age 22 |
| 2 | Serve as the courier for an important message from the Imperium. |
| 2 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 2 | Is now a Scout |
| 3 | Voluntarily left Explorer |
| 3 | Returned to Courier at age 26 |
| 3 | You spend a great deal of time on the fringes of Charted Space. |
| 3 | Gain a contact in an alien race. |
| 4 | Continued as Courier at age 30 |
| 4 | Psychologically damaged by your time in the scouts. |
| 5 | Became a Scientist at age 34 |
| 5 | Refuse to join a cheat in some fashion. |
| 6 | Continued as Scientist at age 38 |
| 6 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 6 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 7 | Voluntarily left Scientist |
| 7 | Became a Free Trader at age 42 |
| 7 | A series of bad deals and decisions force you into bankruptcy. You salvage what you can. |
| 8 | Became a Barbarian at age 46 |
| 8 | You do not know what happened to you. There is a gap in your memory. |
| 9 | Switched to Scavenger at age 50 |
| 9 | Attacked by enemies and injured. |
| 9 | Scarred. Fully recovered. Owe 10,000 for medical bills. |
| 9 | Gain Enemy if you don't already have one. |
| 9 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 10 | Continued as Scavenger at age 54 |
| 10 | Betrayed by a friend. One of your Contacts or Allies betrays you, ending your career. That Contact or Ally becomes a Rival or Enemy. |
| 11 | Switched to Field Researcher at age 58 |
| 11 | An expedition or voyage goes wrong, leaving you stranded in the wilderness. |