| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Colonist at age 18 |
| 1 | You befriend a superior in the corporation or the colony. |
| 1 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 2 | Continued as Colonist at age 22 |
| 2 | Gained a contact. |
| 2 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 2 | Is now a Settler |
| 3 | Continued as Colonist at age 26 |
| 3 | Lost eye or limb. Fully recovered. |
| 4 | Became a Courier at age 30 |
| 4 | When dealing with an alien race, you botch an opportunity to gather extra intelligence about them. |
| 4 | Your ship is damaged, and you have to hitch-hike your way back across the stars to the nearest scout base. |
| 4 | Gain 6 Contacts. Gain 1 Enemies. |
| 5 | Continued as Courier at age 34 |
| 5 | Perform an exemplary service for the scouts. |
| 6 | Continued as Courier 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 1 Contacts. Gain 1 Enemies. |
| 7 | Continued as Courier at age 42 |
| 7 | Your ship is damaged, and you have to hitch-hike your way back across the stars to the nearest scout base. |
| 7 | Gain 2 Contacts. Gain 2 Enemies. |
| 8 | Switched to Explorer at age 46 |
| 8 | Your scout ship is one of the first on the scene to rescue the survivors of a disaster. Gain a Contact. |
| 8 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 8 | Is now a Scout |
| 9 | Continued as Explorer at age 50 |
| 9 | Your ship is damaged, and you have to hitch-hike your way back across the stars to the nearest scout base. |
| 9 | Gain 6 Contacts. Gain 1 Enemies. |
| 10 | Became a Scientist at age 54 |
| 10 | Betrayal. Convert an Ally into a Rival or Enemy. |
| 11 | Aging Crisis. Owe 10,000 for medical bills. |
| 11 | Continued as Scientist at age 58 |
| 11 | Entangled in a bureaucratic or legal morass that distracts you from your work. |
| 12 | Aging Crisis. Owe 10,000 for medical bills. |
| 12 | Continued as Scientist at age 62 |
| 12 | A romantic relationship ends badly. Gain a Rival or Enemy. |
| 12 | Forced to muster out. |
| 13 | Aging Crisis. Owe 10,000 for medical bills. |