| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Surveyor at age 18 |
| 1 | When dealing with an alien race, you botch an opportunity to gather extra intelligence about them. |
| 1 | Your ship is damaged, and you have to hitch-hike your way back across the stars to the nearest scout base. |
| 1 | Gain 6 Contacts. Gain 1 Enemies. |
| 2 | Continued as Surveyor at age 22 |
| 2 | Gained a contact. |
| 2 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 2 | Is now a Scout |
| 3 | Continued as Surveyor at age 26 |
| 3 | Perform an exemplary service for the scouts. |
| 4 | Continued as Surveyor at age 30 |
| 4 | Perform an exemplary service for the scouts. |
| 4 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 5 | Continued as Surveyor at age 34 |
| 5 | Moved to a new world. |
| 5 | Forced to muster out. |
| 6 | Became a Line/Crew at age 38 |
| 6 | Is now a Crewman |
| 6 | Lost eye or limb. Fully recovered. |
| 7 | Switched to Engineer/Gunner at age 42 |
| 7 | Betrayal. Convert an Ally into a Rival or Enemy. |
| 7 | Promoted to Engineer/Gunner rank 1 |
| 7 | Is now a Able Spacehand |
| 8 | Continued as Engineer/Gunner at age 46 |
| 8 | Abuse your position for profit |
| 8 | Promoted to Engineer/Gunner rank 2 |
| 8 | Is now a Petty Officer, 3rd class |
| 9 | Voluntarily left Engineer/Gunner |
| 9 | Became a Field Researcher at age 50 |
| 9 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 9 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 10 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 54 |
| 10 | Entangled in a bureaucratic or legal morass that distracts you from your work. |
| 10 | Forced to muster out. |
| 11 | Returned to Engineer/Gunner at age 58 |
| 11 | Special assignment or duty on board ship. |
| 11 | Commissioned in Navy/Engineer/Gunner |
| 11 | Is now a Ensign |
| 11 | Promoted to Engineer/Gunner officer rank 2 |
| 11 | Is now a Sublieutenant |