| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Free Trader at age 18 |
| 1 | A sudden war destroys your trade routes and contacts, forcing you to flee that region of space. |
| 1 | Gain rebels as Enemy |
| 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 inadvertently cause a conflict between the Imperium and a minor world or race. Gain a Rival. |
| 3 | Voluntarily left Surveyor |
| 3 | Switched to Courier at age 26 |
| 3 | Your ship is ambushed by enemy vessels. You successfully ran to the jump point. |
| 4 | Voluntarily left Courier |
| 4 | Became a Performer at age 30 |
| 4 | You are betrayed by a peer. One Ally or Contact becomes a Rival or Enemy |
| 5 | Switched to Explorer at age 34 |
| 5 | Severely injured. Owe 10,000 for medical bills. |
| 6 | Became a Engineer/Gunner at age 38 |
| 6 | Is now a Crewman |
| 6 | Gained a contact. |
| 6 | Promoted to Engineer/Gunner rank 1 |
| 6 | Is now a Able Spacehand |
| 7 | Continued as Engineer/Gunner at age 42 |
| 7 | Commanding officer takes an interest in your career. |
| 7 | Commissioned in Navy/Engineer/Gunner |
| 7 | Is now a Ensign |
| 7 | Promoted to Engineer/Gunner officer rank 2 |
| 7 | Is now a Sublieutenant |
| 8 | Continued as Engineer/Gunner at age 46 |
| 8 | Vessel participates in a notable military engagement. |
| 8 | Promoted to Engineer/Gunner officer rank 3 |
| 8 | Is now a Lieutenant |
| 9 | Continued as Engineer/Gunner at age 50 |
| 9 | Special assignment or duty on board ship. |
| 9 | Promoted to Engineer/Gunner officer rank 4 |
| 9 | Is now a Commander |
| 10 | Continued as Engineer/Gunner at age 54 |
| 10 | You foil an attempted crime on board, such as mutiny, sabotage, smuggling or conspiracy. Gain an Enemy. |
| 10 | Promoted to Engineer/Gunner officer rank 5 |
| 10 | Is now a Captain |
| 11 | Continued as Engineer/Gunner at age 58 |
| 11 | You foil an attempted crime on board, such as mutiny, sabotage, smuggling or conspiracy. Gain an Enemy. |
| 11 | Forced to muster out. |
| 12 | Aging Crisis. Owe 60,000 for medical bills. |
| 12 | Retired at age 62 |
| 12 | Gained a contact. |
| 13 | Aging Crisis. Owe 60,000 for medical bills. |
| 13 | Birth or Death involving a family member or close friend. |
| 14 | Aging Crisis. Owe 30,000 for medical bills. |