| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Field Researcher at age 18 |
| 1 | Make a breakthrough in your field. |
| 1 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 2 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 22 |
| 2 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 2 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 3 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 26 |
| 3 | Gained a contact. |
| 3 | Promoted to rank 3 |
| 4 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 30 |
| 4 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 4 | Promoted to rank 4 |
| 5 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 34 |
| 5 | Make a breakthrough in your field. |
| 5 | Promoted to rank 5 |
| 6 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 38 |
| 6 | An expedition or voyage goes wrong, leaving you stranded in the wilderness. |
| 7 | Became a Free Trader at age 42 |
| 7 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 8 | Continued as Free Trader at age 46 |
| 8 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 9 | Continued as Free Trader at age 50 |
| 9 | A good deal ensures you are living the high life for a few years. |
| 9 | Promoted to rank 3 |
| 9 | Is now a Experienced Trader |
| 10 | Continued as Free Trader at age 54 |
| 10 | Your ship or starport is destroyed by criminals. Gain them as an Enemy. |
| 11 | Aging Crisis. Owe 40,000 for medical bills. |
| 11 | Retired at age 58 |
| 11 | Good fortune |
| 12 | Aging Crisis. Owe 40,000 for medical bills. |
| 12 | Betrayal. Convert an Ally into a Rival or Enemy. |
| 13 | Aging Crisis. Owe 40,000 for medical bills. |
| 13 | Gained a contact. |
| 14 | Aging Crisis. Owe 10,000 for medical bills. |
| 14 | Betrayal. Convert an Ally into a Rival or Enemy. |
| 15 | Aging Crisis. Owe 30,000 for medical bills. |