| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Field Researcher at age 18 |
| 1 | Work for an eccentric but brilliant mentor, who becomes an Ally. |
| 1 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 2 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 22 |
| 2 | A disaster or war strikes. |
| 2 | Nearly killed. Fully recovered. Owe 20,000 for medical bills. |
| 2 | The planetary government interferes with your research for political or religious reasons. You continue working secretely. |
| 3 | Voluntarily left Field Researcher |
| 3 | Became a Free Trader at age 26 |
| 3 | Gained a contact. |
| 3 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 4 | Continued as Free Trader at age 30 |
| 4 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 5 | Continued as Free Trader at age 34 |
| 5 | A sudden war destroys your trade routes and contacts, forcing you to flee that region of space. |
| 5 | Gain rebels as Enemy |
| 6 | Became a Flight at age 38 |
| 6 | Is now a Crewman |
| 6 | Nearly killed. Fully recovered. |
| 7 | Became a Colonist at age 42 |
| 7 | Life ruined by a criminal gang. Gain the gang as an Enemy |
| 8 | Returned to Flight at age 46 |
| 8 | Placed in the frozen watch (cryogenically stored on board ship) and revived improperly. |
| 9 | Returned to Field Researcher at age 50 |
| 9 | An expedition or voyage goes wrong, leaving you stranded in the wilderness. |
| 9 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 10 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 54 |
| 10 | A rival researcher blackens your name or steals your research. Gain a Rival. |
| 11 | Aging Crisis. Owe 10,000 for medical bills. |
| 11 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 58 |
| 11 | A rival researcher blackens your name or steals your research. Gain a Rival. |
| 12 | Aging Crisis. Owe 60,000 for medical bills. |