| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Scavenger at age 18 |
| 1 | Find valuable salvage. |
| 2 | Continued as Scavenger at age 22 |
| 2 | Betrayed by a friend. One of your Contacts or Allies betrays you, ending your career. That Contact or Ally becomes a Rival or Enemy. |
| 3 | Became a Free Trader at age 26 |
| 3 | Refuse to smuggle illegal items onto a planet. Gain an Enemy. |
| 3 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 4 | Continued as Free Trader at age 30 |
| 4 | Bankrupted by a rival. Gain the other trader as a Rival. |
| 5 | Became a Scientist at age 34 |
| 5 | Make a breakthrough in your field. |
| 5 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 6 | Continued as Scientist at age 38 |
| 6 | A disaster or war strikes. |
| 6 | Lightly injured, no permanent damage. Fully recovered. |
| 6 | The planetary government interferes with your research for political or religious reasons. You continue working openly and gain an Enemy. |
| 7 | Continued as Scientist at age 42 |
| 7 | Work for an eccentric but brilliant mentor, who becomes an Ally. |
| 7 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 8 | Continued as Scientist at age 46 |
| 8 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 9 | Aging Crisis. Owe 50,000 for medical bills. |
| 9 | Continued as Scientist at age 50 |
| 9 | Assigned to work on a secret project for a patron or organisation. |
| 9 | Promoted to rank 3 |
| 10 | Aging Crisis. Owe 40,000 for medical bills. |
| 10 | Continued as Scientist at age 54 |
| 10 | Win a prestigious prize for your work. |
| 10 | Forced to muster out. |
| 11 | Aging Crisis. Owe 20,000 for medical bills. |