| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Field Researcher at age 18 |
| 1 | Make a breakthrough in your field. |
| 1 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 2 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 22 |
| 2 | Refuse to join a cheat in some fashion. |
| 2 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 3 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 26 |
| 3 | Win a prestigious prize for your work. |
| 3 | Promoted to rank 3 |
| 4 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 30 |
| 4 | Make a breakthrough in your field. |
| 4 | Promoted to rank 4 |
| 5 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 34 |
| 5 | 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. |
| 5 | A rival researcher blackens your name or steals your research. Gain a Rival. |
| 5 | Gain an Enemy |
| 5 | Promoted to rank 5 |
| 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 6 |
| 7 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 42 |
| 7 | Cheated in some fashion, advancing your career and research by stealing another’s work, using an alien device, taking a shortcut and so forth. |
| 7 | Gain an Enemy |
| 7 | Forced to muster out. |
| 8 | Became a Line/Crew at age 46 |
| 8 | Is now a Crewman |
| 8 | You foil an attempted crime on board, such as mutiny, sabotage, smuggling or conspiracy. Gain an Enemy. |
| 8 | Promoted to Line/Crew rank 1 |
| 8 | Is now a Able Spacehand |
| 9 | Continued as Line/Crew at age 50 |
| 9 | Advanced training in a specialist field |
| 10 | Continued as Line/Crew at age 54 |
| 10 | Advanced training in a specialist field |
| 10 | Attempt at commissioned failed. |
| 10 | Promoted to Line/Crew rank 2 |
| 10 | Is now a Petty Officer, 3rd class |
| 11 | Continued as Line/Crew at age 58 |
| 11 | Vessel participates in a notable military engagement. |
| 11 | Promoted to Line/Crew rank 3 |
| 11 | Is now a Petty Officer, 2nd class |