| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Scientist at age 18 |
| 1 | Work leads to a considerable breakthrough. |
| 1 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 2 | Continued as Scientist at age 22 |
| 2 | Assigned to work on a secret project for a patron or organisation. |
| 2 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 3 | Continued as Scientist at age 26 |
| 3 | A disaster or war strikes. |
| 3 | Lightly injured, no permanent damage. Fully recovered. |
| 3 | The planetary government interferes with your research for political or religious reasons. You continue working secretely. |
| 4 | Continued as Scientist at age 30 |
| 4 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 5 | Continued as Scientist at age 34 |
| 5 | Make a breakthrough in your field. |
| 6 | Continued as Scientist at age 38 |
| 6 | Refuse to join a cheat in some fashion. |
| 6 | Promoted to rank 3 |
| 7 | Continued as Scientist at age 42 |
| 7 | Refuse to join a cheat in some fashion. |
| 7 | Promoted to rank 4 |
| 8 | Continued as Scientist at age 46 |
| 8 | Assigned to work on a secret project for a patron or organisation. |
| 8 | Forced to muster out. |
| 9 | Became a Line/Crew at age 50 |
| 9 | Is now a Crewman |
| 9 | Good fortune |
| 9 | Promoted to Line/Crew rank 1 |
| 9 | Is now a Able Spacehand |
| 10 | Continued as Line/Crew at age 54 |
| 10 | Injured. Fully recovered. Owe 1,250 for medical bills. |
| 11 | Became a Colonist at age 58 |
| 11 | Political upheaval strikes your homeworld, and you are caught up in the revolution. |
| 11 | Forced to continue current assignment |
| 11 | Promoted to rank 1 |