| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Scientist at age 18 |
| 1 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 1 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 2 | Continued as Scientist at age 22 |
| 2 | A disaster or war strikes. |
| 2 | Nearly killed. Fully recovered. Owe 25,000 for medical bills. |
| 2 | The planetary government interferes with your research for political or religious reasons. You continue working secretely. |
| 3 | Voluntarily left Scientist |
| 3 | Became a Line/Crew at age 26 |
| 3 | Is now a Crewman |
| 3 | You foil an attempted crime on board, such as mutiny, sabotage, smuggling or conspiracy. Gain an Enemy. |
| 3 | Promoted to Line/Crew rank 1 |
| 3 | Is now a Able Spacehand |
| 4 | Continued as Line/Crew at age 30 |
| 4 | Scarred. Fully recovered. |
| 5 | Switched to Field Researcher at age 34 |
| 5 | A disaster or war strikes. |
| 5 | Lightly injured, no permanent damage. Fully recovered. |
| 5 | The planetary government interferes with your research for political or religious reasons. You continue working secretely. |
| 6 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 38 |
| 6 | Entangled in a bureaucratic or legal morass that distracts you from your work. |
| 6 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 7 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 42 |
| 7 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 7 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 8 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 46 |
| 8 | A rival researcher blackens your name or steals your research. Gain a Rival. |
| 9 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 50 |
| 9 | Work for an eccentric but brilliant mentor, who becomes an Ally. |
| 9 | Promoted to rank 3 |
| 10 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 54 |
| 10 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 10 | Forced to muster out. |