| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Worker at age 18 |
| 1 | You gain experience in a technical field as a computer operator or surveyor. |
| 2 | Continued as Worker at age 22 |
| 2 | You are rewarded for your diligence or cunning. |
| 2 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 3 | Continued as Worker at age 26 |
| 3 | You learn something you should not have – a corporate secret, a political scandal – which you can profit from illegally. |
| 3 | Gain a criminal contact. |
| 3 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 3 | Is now a Technician |
| 4 | Continued as Worker at age 30 |
| 4 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 5 | Continued as Worker at age 34 |
| 5 | Gained a contact. |
| 5 | Forced to muster out. |
| 6 | Became a Explorer at age 38 |
| 6 | When dealing with an alien race, you botch an opportunity to gather extra intelligence about them. |
| 6 | Your ship is damaged, and you have to hitch-hike your way back across the stars to the nearest scout base. |
| 6 | Gain 3 Contacts. Gain 3 Enemies. |
| 7 | Continued as Explorer at age 42 |
| 7 | You spend a great deal of time on the fringes of Charted Space. |
| 7 | You inadvertently cause a conflict between the Imperium and a minor world or race. Gain a Rival. |
| 7 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 7 | Is now a Scout |
| 8 | Continued as Explorer at age 46 |
| 8 | When dealing with an alien race, you have an opportunity to gather extra intelligence about them. Gain an Ally in the Imperium |
| 8 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 9 | Continued as Explorer at age 50 |
| 9 | Spend several years jumping from world to world in your scout ship. |
| 10 | Continued as Explorer 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 6 Contacts. Gain 3 Enemies. |
| 11 | Became a Enforcer 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 | Became a Free Trader at age 62 |
| 12 | Imperial trade restrictions force you out of business. |
| 13 | Aging Crisis. Owe 20,000 for medical bills. |
| 13 | Retired at age 66 |
| 13 | Good fortune |
| 14 | Aging Crisis. Owe 20,000 for medical bills. |
| 14 | Betrayal. Convert an Ally into a Rival or Enemy. |
| 15 | Aging Crisis. Owe 40,000 for medical bills. |