| Term | History |
|---|
| 1 | Became a Free Trader at age 18 |
| 1 | Given advanced training in a specialist field |
| 1 | Forced to continue current assignment |
| 1 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 2 | Continued as Free Trader at age 22 |
| 2 | Imperial trade restrictions force you out of business. |
| 3 | Became a Corporate at age 26 |
| 3 | You are rewarded for your diligence or cunning. |
| 3 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 4 | Voluntarily left Corporate |
| 4 | Became a Field Researcher at age 30 |
| 4 | Lost eye or limb. Owe 2,500 for medical bills. |
| 5 | Became a Line/Crew at age 34 |
| 5 | Is now a Crewman |
| 5 | Vessel participates in a diplomatic mission. |
| 5 | Gain a contact. |
| 5 | Promoted to Line/Crew rank 1 |
| 5 | Is now a Able Spacehand |
| 6 | Continued as Line/Crew at age 38 |
| 6 | Special assignment or duty on board ship. |
| 6 | Attempt at commissioned failed. |
| 7 | Voluntarily left Line/Crew |
| 7 | Returned to Field Researcher at age 42 |
| 7 | 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. |
| 7 | Your work is sabotaged by unknown parties. You start again from scratch. |
| 7 | Gain an Enemy |
| 7 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 8 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 46 |
| 8 | An expedition or voyage goes wrong, leaving you stranded in the wilderness. |
| 8 | Forced to continue current assignment |
| 8 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 9 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 50 |
| 9 | A disaster or war strikes. |
| 9 | Lost eye or limb. Fully recovered. Owe 2,500 for medical bills. |
| 9 | The planetary government interferes with your research for political or religious reasons. You continue working openly and gain an Enemy. |
| 10 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 54 |
| 10 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 10 | Promoted to rank 3 |
| 11 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 58 |
| 11 | Agreed to perform research that goes against your conscience. Gain 3 Enemies. |
| 11 | Forced to muster out. |
| 12 | Aging Crisis. Owe 50,000 for medical bills. |