| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Merchant Marine at age 18 |
| 1 | Is now a Crewman |
| 1 | Imperial trade restrictions force you out of business. |
| 2 | Became a Field Researcher at age 22 |
| 2 | Refuse to join a cheat in some fashion. |
| 2 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 3 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 26 |
| 3 | Caught cheating in some fashion, advancing your career and research by stealing another’s work, using an alien device, taking a shortcut and so forth. |
| 3 | A disaster leaves several injured, and others blame you, forcing you to leave your career. Gain a Rival. |
| 3 | Lost eye or limb. Fully recovered. Owe 5,000 for medical bills. |
| 3 | Gain an Enemy |
| 4 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 30 |
| 4 | Entangled in a bureaucratic or legal morass that distracts you from your work. |
| 4 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 5 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 34 |
| 5 | Work for an eccentric but brilliant mentor, who becomes an Ally. |
| 5 | Promoted to rank 3 |
| 6 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 38 |
| 6 | Work leads to a considerable breakthrough. |
| 6 | Forced to continue current assignment |
| 6 | Promoted to rank 4 |
| 7 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 42 |
| 7 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 7 | Forced to muster out. |
| 8 | Became a Flight at age 46 |
| 8 | Vessel participates in a diplomatic mission. |
| 9 | Aging Crisis. Owe 10,000 for medical bills. |
| 9 | Continued as Flight at age 50 |
| 9 | You are tormented by or quarrel with an officer or fellow crewman. Gain that character as a Rival. |
| 10 | Aging Crisis. Owe 10,000 for medical bills. |