| Term | History |
|---|
| 1 | Became a Free Trader at age 18 |
| 1 | A good deal ensures you are living the high life for a few years. |
| 1 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 2 | Continued as Free Trader at age 22 |
| 2 | Smuggle illegal items onto a planet. |
| 2 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 3 | Continued as Free Trader at age 26 |
| 3 | Bankrupted by a rival. Gain the other trader as a Rival. |
| 4 | Became a Field Researcher at age 30 |
| 4 | Win a prestigious prize for your work. |
| 4 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 5 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 34 |
| 5 | 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. |
| 5 | A disaster or war strikes. |
| 5 | Scarred. 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. |
| 5 | Gain an Enemy |
| 5 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 6 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 38 |
| 6 | Moved to a new world. |
| 7 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 42 |
| 7 | Your work is sabotaged by unknown parties. You may salvage what you can and give up. |
| 8 | Became a Line/Crew at age 46 |
| 8 | Is now a Crewman |
| 8 | Refuse to abuse your position for profit |
| 8 | Commissioned in Navy/Line/Crew |
| 8 | Is now a Ensign |
| 8 | Promoted to Line/Crew officer rank 2 |
| 8 | Is now a Sublieutenant |
| 9 | Continued as Line/Crew at age 50 |
| 9 | You foil an attempted crime on board, such as mutiny, sabotage, smuggling or conspiracy. Gain an Enemy. |
| 9 | Promoted to Line/Crew officer rank 3 |
| 9 | Is now a Lieutenant |
| 10 | Continued as Line/Crew at age 54 |
| 10 | Gained a contact. |
| 11 | Aging Crisis. Owe 10,000 for medical bills. |
| 11 | Continued as Line/Crew at age 58 |
| 11 | Abuse your position for profit |
| 12 | Aging Crisis. Owe 50,000 for medical bills. |
| 12 | Continued as Line/Crew at age 62 |
| 12 | Advanced training in a specialist field |
| 12 | Promoted to Line/Crew officer rank 4 |
| 12 | Is now a Commander |
| 13 | Aging Crisis. Owe 60,000 for medical bills. |