| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Courier at age 18 |
| 1 | When dealing with an alien race, you botch an opportunity to gather extra intelligence about them. |
| 1 | You have no idea what happened to you – they found your ship drifting on the fringes of friendly space. |
| 2 | Voluntarily left Courier |
| 2 | Became a Thief at age 22 |
| 2 | Lost eye or limb. Fully recovered. Owe 10,000 for medical bills. |
| 3 | Became a Scientist at age 26 |
| 3 | Betrayal. Convert an Ally into a Rival or Enemy. |
| 4 | Continued as Scientist at age 30 |
| 4 | Refuse to join a cheat in some fashion. |
| 4 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 5 | Continued as Scientist at age 34 |
| 5 | A disaster or war strikes. |
| 5 | Injured. Fully recovered. Owe 2,500 for medical bills. |
| 5 | The planetary government interferes with your research for political or religious reasons. You continue working openly and gain an Enemy. |
| 6 | Continued as Scientist at age 38 |
| 6 | Assigned to work on a secret project for a patron or organisation. |
| 6 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 7 | Continued as Scientist at age 42 |
| 7 | Agreed to perform research that goes against your conscience. Gain 3 Enemies. |
| 7 | Promoted to rank 3 |
| 8 | Aging Crisis. Owe 20,000 for medical bills. |
| 8 | Continued as Scientist at age 46 |
| 8 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 9 | Aging Crisis. Owe 60,000 for medical bills. |
| 9 | Continued as Scientist at age 50 |
| 9 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 9 | Promoted to rank 4 |
| 10 | Continued as Scientist at age 54 |
| 10 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 10 | Promoted to rank 5 |
| 11 | Aging Crisis. Owe 10,000 for medical bills. |
| 11 | Continued as Scientist at age 58 |
| 11 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 11 | Promoted to rank 6 |
| 11 | Forced to muster out. |
| 12 | Aging Crisis. Owe 20,000 for medical bills. |
| 12 | Retired at age 62 |
| 12 | Gained a contact. |
| 13 | Aging Crisis. Owe 20,000 for medical bills. |