| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Free Trader at age 18 |
| 1 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 2 | Continued as Free Trader at age 22 |
| 2 | Embroiled in legal trouble. |
| 3 | Continued as Free Trader at age 26 |
| 3 | A series of bad deals and decisions force you into bankruptcy. You salvage what you can. |
| 3 | Forced to muster out. |
| 4 | Became a Explorer at age 30 |
| 4 | You spend a great deal of time on the fringes of Charted Space. |
| 4 | You have no idea what happened to you – they found your ship drifting on the fringes of friendly space. |
| 4 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 4 | Is now a Scout |
| 5 | Continued as Explorer at age 34 |
| 5 | Your ship is damaged, and you have to hitch-hike your way back across the stars to the nearest scout base. |
| 5 | Gain 4 Contacts. Gain 1 Enemies. |
| 6 | Became a Scientist at age 38 |
| 6 | Agreed to perform research that goes against your conscience. Gain 2 Enemies. |
| 7 | Continued as Scientist at age 42 |
| 7 | Work for an eccentric but brilliant mentor, who becomes an Ally. |
| 7 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 8 | Continued as Scientist at age 46 |
| 8 | Refuse to join a cheat in some fashion. |
| 9 | Voluntarily left Scientist |
| 9 | Returned to Free Trader at age 50 |
| 9 | Your ship or starport is destroyed by criminals. Gain them as an Enemy. |
| 10 | Became a Line/Crew at age 54 |
| 10 | Is now a Crewman |
| 10 | Vessel participates in a diplomatic mission. |
| 10 | Promoted to Line/Crew rank 1 |
| 10 | Is now a Able Spacehand |
| 11 | Aging Crisis. Owe 50,000 for medical bills. |
| 11 | Continued as Line/Crew at age 58 |
| 11 | Betrayal. Convert an Ally into a Rival or Enemy. |
| 11 | Promoted to Line/Crew rank 2 |
| 11 | Is now a Petty Officer, 3rd class |
| 12 | Aging Crisis. Owe 60,000 for medical bills. |
| 12 | Continued as Line/Crew at age 62 |
| 12 | Vessel participates in a notable military engagement. |
| 12 | Promoted to Line/Crew rank 3 |
| 12 | Is now a Petty Officer, 2nd class |
| 13 | Aging Crisis. Owe 50,000 for medical bills. |
| 13 | Continued as Line/Crew at age 66 |
| 13 | Vessel participates in a notable military engagement. |
| 13 | Promoted to Line/Crew rank 4 |
| 13 | Is now a Petty Officer, 1st class |
| 14 | Aging Crisis. Owe 20,000 for medical bills. |
| 14 | Continued as Line/Crew at age 70 |
| 14 | Placed in the frozen watch (cryogenically stored on board ship) and revived improperly. |
| 15 | Aging Crisis. Owe 60,000 for medical bills. |