| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Free Trader at age 18 |
| 1 | Make an unexpected connection outside your normal circles. Gain a Contact. |
| 1 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 2 | Continued as Free Trader at age 22 |
| 2 | A series of bad deals and decisions force you into bankruptcy. You salvage what you can. |
| 3 | Became a Courier at age 26 |
| 3 | You discover a world, item or information of worth to the Imperium. |
| 3 | Forced to continue current assignment |
| 3 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 3 | Is now a Scout |
| 4 | Continued as Courier at age 30 |
| 4 | Spend several years jumping from world to world in your scout ship. |
| 5 | Continued as Courier at age 34 |
| 5 | Spend several years jumping from world to world in your scout ship. |
| 6 | Continued as Courier at age 38 |
| 6 | A romantic relationship ends badly. Gain a Rival or Enemy. |
| 7 | Continued as Courier at age 42 |
| 7 | Your scout ship is one of the first on the scene to rescue the survivors of a disaster. Gain a Contact. |
| 7 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 8 | Continued as Courier at age 46 |
| 8 | When dealing with an alien race, you botch an opportunity to gather extra intelligence about them. |
| 8 | Lightly injured, no permanent damage. Fully recovered. |
| 8 | Forced to muster out. |
| 9 | Became a Scientist at age 50 |
| 9 | Make a breakthrough in your field. |
| 9 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 10 | Continued as Scientist at age 54 |
| 10 | Gained a contact. |
| 10 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 11 | Continued as Scientist at age 58 |
| 11 | Assigned to work on a secret project for a patron or organisation. |
| 12 | Continued as Scientist at age 62 |
| 12 | An expedition or voyage goes wrong, leaving you stranded in the wilderness. |