| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Merchant Marine at age 18 |
| 1 | Is now a Crewman |
| 1 | Befriend a useful ally in one sphere. Gain an Ally. |
| 1 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 1 | Is now a Senior Crewman |
| 2 | Voluntarily left Merchant Marine |
| 2 | Switched to Free Trader at age 22 |
| 2 | Your business or ship thrives. |
| 2 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 3 | Continued as Free Trader at age 26 |
| 3 | Betrayal. Convert an Ally into a Rival or Enemy. |
| 3 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 4 | Voluntarily left Free Trader |
| 4 | Became a Wanderer at age 30 |
| 4 | Attacked by enemies and injured. |
| 4 | Scarred. Owe 2,500 for medical bills. |
| 4 | Gain Enemy if you don't already have one. |
| 4 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 5 | Continued as Wanderer at age 34 |
| 5 | Suffer from a life-threatening illness. |
| 6 | Returned to Free Trader at age 38 |
| 6 | A good deal ensures you are living the high life for a few years. |
| 6 | Promoted to rank 3 |
| 6 | Is now a Experienced Trader |
| 7 | Continued as Free Trader at age 42 |
| 7 | Befriend a useful ally in one sphere. Gain an Ally. |
| 7 | Promoted to rank 4 |
| 8 | Voluntarily left Free Trader |
| 8 | Became a Scientist at age 46 |
| 8 | Make a breakthrough in your field. |
| 9 | Continued as Scientist at age 50 |
| 9 | 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. |
| 9 | A rival researcher blackens your name or steals your research. Gain a Rival. |
| 9 | Gain an Enemy |
| 9 | Forced to continue current assignment |
| 9 | Promoted to rank 1 |