| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Surveyor at age 18 |
| 1 | You survey an alien world. |
| 2 | Continued as Surveyor at age 22 |
| 2 | Spend several years jumping from world to world in your scout ship. |
| 2 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 2 | Is now a Scout |
| 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 Enforcer at age 30 |
| 4 | Scarred. Fully recovered. Owe 5,000 for medical bills. |
| 5 | Became a Barbarian at age 34 |
| 5 | Drafted into Merchant Marine |
| 6 | Became a Merchant Marine at age 38 |
| 6 | Is now a Crewman |
| 6 | Betrayal. Convert an Ally into a Rival or Enemy. |
| 6 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 6 | Is now a Senior Crewman |
| 7 | Continued as Merchant Marine at age 42 |
| 7 | Bankrupted by a rival. Gain the other trader as a Rival. |
| 8 | Became a Scientist at age 46 |
| 8 | A disaster or war strikes. |
| 8 | Nearly killed. Fully recovered. Owe 8,750 for medical bills. |
| 8 | The planetary government interferes with your research for political or religious reasons. You continue working openly and gain an Enemy. |
| 9 | Continued as Scientist at age 50 |
| 9 | A romantic relationship ends badly. Gain a Rival or Enemy. |
| 9 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 10 | Continued as Scientist at age 54 |
| 10 | Refused to perform research that goes against your conscience. |
| 11 | Continued as Scientist at age 58 |
| 11 | Make a breakthrough in your field. |
| 11 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 12 | Continued as Scientist at age 62 |
| 12 | Work for an eccentric but brilliant mentor, who becomes an Ally. |
| 12 | Promoted to rank 3 |
| 13 | Continued as Scientist at age 66 |
| 13 | Win a prestigious prize for your work. |
| 13 | Forced to muster out. |
| 14 | Aging Crisis. Owe 50,000 for medical bills. |