| Term | History |
|---|
| 1 | Became a Field Researcher at age 18 |
| 1 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 1 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 2 | Voluntarily left Field Researcher |
| 2 | Became a 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 1 |
| 2 | Is now a Scout |
| 3 | Continued as Surveyor at age 26 |
| 3 | Your scout ship is one of the first on the scene to rescue the survivors of a disaster but you fail to help. Gain an Enemy. |
| 3 | Psychologically damaged by your time in the scouts. |
| 3 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 4 | Continued as Surveyor at age 30 |
| 4 | You spend a great deal of time on the fringes of Charted Space. |
| 4 | You inadvertently cause a conflict between the Imperium and a minor world or race. Gain a Rival. |
| 5 | Continued as Surveyor at age 34 |
| 5 | Spend several years jumping from world to world in your scout ship. |
| 6 | Continued as Surveyor at age 38 |
| 6 | Your ship is damaged, and you have to hitch-hike your way back across the stars to the nearest scout base. |
| 6 | Gain 5 Contacts. Gain 1 Enemies. |
| 7 | Became a Line/Crew at age 42 |
| 7 | Is now a Crewman |
| 7 | Vessel participates in a diplomatic mission. |
| 7 | Promoted to Line/Crew rank 1 |
| 7 | Is now a Able Spacehand |
| 8 | Continued as Line/Crew at age 46 |
| 8 | Vessel participates in a notable military engagement. |
| 8 | Promoted to Line/Crew rank 2 |
| 8 | Is now a Petty Officer, 3rd class |
| 9 | Continued as Line/Crew at age 50 |
| 9 | During a battle, defeat or victory depends on your actions. The ship suffers severe damage and you are blamed for the disaster. You are court - martialled and discharged. |
| 10 | Switched to Flight at age 54 |
| 10 | You join a gambling circle on board. |
| 10 | Promoted to Flight rank 3 |
| 10 | Is now a Petty Officer, 2nd class |
| 11 | Continued as Flight at age 58 |
| 11 | You are tormented by or quarrel with an officer or fellow crewman. Gain that character as a Rival. |
| 12 | Became a Wanderer at age 62 |
| 13 | Aging Crisis. Owe 20,000 for medical bills. |
| 13 | Voluntarily left Wanderer |
| 13 | Retired at age 66 |
| 13 | A new romantic starts. Gain an Ally. |
| 14 | Aging Crisis. Owe 40,000 for medical bills. |
| 14 | A new romantic starts. Gain an Ally. |
| 15 | Aging Crisis. Owe 60,000 for medical bills. |