| Term | History |
|---|
| 1 | Became a Free Trader at age 18 |
| 1 | Your business or ship thrives. |
| 1 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 2 | Continued as Free Trader at age 22 |
| 2 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 3 | Continued as Free Trader at age 26 |
| 3 | Embroiled in legal trouble. |
| 3 | Promoted to rank 3 |
| 3 | Is now a Experienced Trader |
| 4 | Continued as Free Trader at age 30 |
| 4 | Make an unexpected connection outside your normal circles. Gain a Contact. |
| 4 | Promoted to rank 4 |
| 5 | Continued as Free Trader at age 34 |
| 5 | Spend time with an alien race. Gain a contact. |
| 5 | Promoted to rank 5 |
| 6 | Continued as Free Trader at age 38 |
| 6 | Promoted to rank 6 |
| 6 | Forced to muster out. |
| 7 | Became a Wanderer at age 42 |
| 7 | Attacked by enemies and injured. |
| 7 | Scarred. Fully recovered. Owe 5,000 for medical bills. |
| 7 | Gain Enemy if you don't already have one. |
| 8 | Continued as Wanderer at age 46 |
| 8 | Betrayed by a friend. One of your Contacts or Allies betrays you, ending your career. That Contact or Ally becomes a Rival or Enemy. |
| 9 | Became a Courier at age 50 |
| 9 | You survey an alien world. |
| 9 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 9 | Is now a Scout |
| 10 | Continued as Courier at age 54 |
| 10 | Your ship is damaged, and you have to hitch-hike your way back across the stars to the nearest scout base. |
| 10 | Gain 2 Contacts. Gain 2 Enemies. |
| 11 | Returned to Free Trader at age 58 |
| 11 | Imperial trade restrictions force you out of business. |
| 12 | Became a Journalist at age 62 |
| 12 | Expose or are involved in a scandal of some sort. |
| 13 | Aging Crisis. Owe 50,000 for medical bills. |