| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Surveyor at age 18 |
| 1 | When dealing with an alien race, you botch an opportunity to gather extra intelligence about them. |
| 1 | You have no idea what happened to you – they found your ship drifting on the fringes of friendly space. |
| 2 | Continued as Surveyor at age 22 |
| 2 | When dealing with an alien race, you botch an opportunity to gather extra intelligence about them. |
| 2 | Psychologically damaged by your time in the scouts. |
| 3 | Continued as Surveyor at age 26 |
| 3 | You have no idea what happened to you – they found your ship drifting on the fringes of friendly space. |
| 4 | Became a Flight at age 30 |
| 4 | Is now a Crewman |
| 4 | Refuse to abuse your position for profit |
| 4 | Promoted to Flight rank 1 |
| 4 | Is now a Able Spacehand |
| 5 | Voluntarily left Flight |
| 5 | Became a Pirate at age 34 |
| 5 | Is now a Lackey |
| 5 | Betrayed by a friend. One of your Contacts or Allies betrays you, ending your career. That Contact or Ally becomes a Rival or Enemy. |
| 6 | Became a Field Researcher at age 38 |
| 6 | Refuse to join a cheat in some fashion. |
| 7 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 42 |
| 7 | Good fortune |
| 8 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 46 |
| 8 | Assigned to work on a secret project for a patron or organisation. |
| 8 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 9 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 50 |
| 9 | Assigned to work on a secret project for a patron or organisation. |
| 9 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 10 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 54 |
| 10 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 10 | Promoted to rank 3 |
| 11 | Voluntarily left Field Researcher |
| 11 | Became a Barbarian at age 58 |
| 11 | Betrayed by a friend. One of your Contacts or Allies betrays you, ending your career. That Contact or Ally becomes a Rival or Enemy. |
| 12 | Switched to Scavenger at age 62 |
| 12 | Betrayed by a friend. One of your Contacts or Allies betrays you, ending your career. That Contact or Ally becomes a Rival or Enemy. |
| 13 | Aging Crisis. Owe 30,000 for medical bills. |
| 13 | Retired at age 66 |
| 13 | Victim of a crime |
| 14 | Aging Crisis. Owe 40,000 for medical bills. |