| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Free Trader at age 18 |
| 1 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 2 | Continued as Free Trader at age 22 |
| 2 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 3 | Continued as Free Trader at age 26 |
| 3 | Given advanced training in a specialist field |
| 4 | Continued as Free Trader at age 30 |
| 5 | Continued as Free Trader at age 34 |
| 5 | Befriend a useful ally in one sphere. Gain an Ally. |
| 5 | Forced to muster out. |
| 6 | Became a Scientist at age 38 |
| 6 | Assigned to work on a secret project for a patron or organisation. |
| 6 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 7 | Continued as Scientist at age 42 |
| 7 | Refuse to join a cheat in some fashion. |
| 7 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 8 | Continued as Scientist at age 46 |
| 8 | Win a prestigious prize for your work. |
| 8 | Promoted to rank 3 |
| 9 | Continued as Scientist at age 50 |
| 9 | 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. |
| 9 | An expedition or voyage goes wrong, leaving you stranded in the wilderness. |
| 9 | Gain an Enemy |
| 10 | Aging Crisis. Owe 50,000 for medical bills. |
| 10 | Continued as Scientist at age 54 |
| 10 | Work leads to a considerable breakthrough. |
| 10 | Promoted to rank 4 |
| 11 | Aging Crisis. Owe 50,000 for medical bills. |
| 11 | Continued as Scientist at age 58 |
| 11 | An expedition or voyage goes wrong, leaving you stranded in the wilderness. |
| 12 | Aging Crisis. Owe 60,000 for medical bills. |