| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Field Researcher at age 18 |
| 1 | Caught cheating in some fashion, advancing your career and research by stealing another’s work, using an alien device, taking a shortcut and so forth. |
| 1 | A rival researcher blackens your name or steals your research. Gain a Rival. |
| 1 | Gain an Enemy |
| 1 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 2 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 22 |
| 2 | Win a prestigious prize for your work. |
| 2 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 3 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 26 |
| 3 | An expedition or voyage goes wrong, leaving you stranded in the wilderness. |
| 4 | Became a Explorer at age 30 |
| 4 | Gained a contact. |
| 4 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 4 | Is now a Scout |
| 5 | Continued as Explorer at age 34 |
| 5 | You survey an alien world. |
| 6 | Continued as Explorer at age 38 |
| 6 | When dealing with an alien race, you have an opportunity to gather extra intelligence about them. Gain an Ally in the Imperium |
| 6 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 7 | Continued as Explorer at age 42 |
| 7 | Lightly injured, no permanent damage. Fully recovered. |
| 8 | Switched to Physician at age 46 |
| 8 | Caught cheating in some fashion, advancing your career and research by stealing another’s work, using an alien device, taking a shortcut and so forth. |
| 8 | Your work is sabotaged by unknown parties. You start again from scratch. |
| 8 | Gain an Enemy |
| 9 | Continued as Physician at age 50 |
| 9 | Your work is sabotaged by unknown parties. You start again from scratch. |
| 10 | Continued as Physician at age 54 |
| 10 | Entangled in a bureaucratic or legal morass that distracts you from your work. |
| 10 | Promoted to rank 1 |