| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Field Researcher at age 18 |
| 1 | A disaster or war strikes. |
| 1 | Lightly injured, no permanent damage. Fully recovered. |
| 1 | The planetary government interferes with your research for political or religious reasons. You continue working openly and gain an Enemy. |
| 2 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 22 |
| 2 | Refuse to join a cheat in some fashion. |
| 2 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 3 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 26 |
| 3 | A disaster leaves several injured, and others blame you, forcing you to leave your career. Gain a Rival. |
| 3 | Severely injured. Fully recovered. Owe 7,500 for medical bills. |
| 4 | Became a Free Trader at age 30 |
| 4 | Your ship or starport is destroyed by criminals. Gain them as an Enemy. |
| 5 | Became a Surveyor at age 34 |
| 5 | Spend several years jumping from world to world in your scout ship. |
| 5 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 5 | Is now a Scout |
| 6 | Continued as Surveyor at age 38 |
| 6 | Perform an exemplary service for the scouts. |
| 6 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 7 | Continued as Surveyor at age 42 |
| 7 | Serve as the courier for an important message from the Imperium. |
| 7 | Promoted to rank 3 |
| 7 | Is now a Senior Scout |
| 8 | Aging Crisis. Owe 60,000 for medical bills. |
| 8 | Continued as Surveyor at age 46 |
| 8 | Perform an exemplary service for the scouts. |
| 8 | Promoted to rank 4 |
| 9 | Aging Crisis. Owe 10,000 for medical bills. |
| 9 | Continued as Surveyor at age 50 |
| 9 | Serve as the courier for an important message from the Imperium. |
| 9 | Promoted to rank 5 |
| 10 | Aging Crisis. Owe 60,000 for medical bills. |
| 10 | Continued as Surveyor at age 54 |
| 10 | Your ship is ambushed by enemy vessels. You successfully ran to the jump point. |
| 10 | Forced to muster out. |
| 11 | Aging Crisis. Owe 10,000 for medical bills. |
| 11 | Retired at age 58 |
| 11 | Moved to a new world. |
| 12 | Aging Crisis. Owe 20,000 for medical bills. |