| Term | History |
|---|
| 1 | Became a Scientist at age 18 |
| 1 | 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. |
| 1 | A disaster or war strikes. |
| 1 | Lightly injured, no permanent damage. Fully recovered. |
| 1 | The planetary government interferes with your research for political or religious reasons. You continue working openly and gain an Enemy. |
| 1 | Gain an Enemy |
| 2 | Voluntarily left Scientist |
| 2 | Became a Free Trader at age 22 |
| 2 | Severely injured. Fully recovered. Owe 5,000 for medical bills. |
| 3 | Became a Scavenger at age 26 |
| 3 | Survived a risky adventure but gained nothing. |
| 4 | Continued as Scavenger at age 30 |
| 4 | You do not know what happened to you. There is a gap in your memory. |
| 5 | Became a Surveyor at age 34 |
| 5 | Perform an exemplary service for the scouts. |
| 6 | Continued as Surveyor at age 38 |
| 6 | Your scout ship is one of the first on the scene to rescue the survivors of a disaster. Gain a Contact. |
| 7 | Continued as Surveyor at age 42 |
| 7 | Moved to a new world. |
| 8 | Continued as Surveyor at age 46 |
| 8 | Your ship is damaged, and you have to hitch-hike your way back across the stars to the nearest scout base. |
| 8 | Gain 1 Contacts. Gain 1 Enemies. |
| 9 | Continued as Surveyor at age 50 |
| 9 | Perform an exemplary service for the scouts. |
| 9 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 9 | Is now a Scout |
| 10 | Continued as Surveyor at age 54 |
| 10 | When dealing with an alien race, you botch an opportunity to gather extra intelligence about them. |
| 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 1 Enemies. |
| 10 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 11 | Voluntarily left Surveyor |
| 11 | Switched to Wanderer at age 58 |
| 11 | Lost eye or limb. Fully recovered. Owe 10,000 for medical bills. |