| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Scientist at age 18 |
| 1 | Work for an eccentric but brilliant mentor, who becomes an Ally. |
| 1 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 2 | Continued as Scientist at age 22 |
| 2 | Good fortune |
| 3 | Continued as Scientist at age 26 |
| 3 | Win a prestigious prize for your work. |
| 3 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 4 | Continued as Scientist at age 30 |
| 4 | Assigned to work on a secret project for a patron or organisation. |
| 4 | Promoted to rank 3 |
| 5 | Continued as Scientist at age 34 |
| 5 | Work for an eccentric but brilliant mentor, who becomes an Ally. |
| 5 | Promoted to rank 4 |
| 6 | Continued as Scientist at age 38 |
| 6 | Win a prestigious prize for your work. |
| 7 | Continued as Scientist at age 42 |
| 7 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 7 | Promoted to rank 5 |
| 8 | Continued as Scientist at age 46 |
| 8 | A disaster or war strikes. |
| 8 | Nearly killed. Fully recovered. |
| 8 | The planetary government interferes with your research for political or religious reasons. You continue working openly and gain an Enemy. |
| 9 | Continued as Scientist at age 50 |
| 9 | Moved to a new world. |
| 9 | Promoted to rank 6 |
| 10 | Continued as Scientist at age 54 |
| 10 | Entangled in a bureaucratic or legal morass that distracts you from your work. |
| 10 | Promoted to rank 7 |
| 10 | Forced to muster out. |
| 11 | Became a Merchant Marine at age 58 |
| 11 | Is now a Crewman |
| 11 | Imperial trade restrictions force you out of business. |
| 12 | Aging Crisis. Owe 20,000 for medical bills. |
| 12 | Retired at age 62 |
| 12 | Moved to a new world. |
| 13 | Aging Crisis. Owe 20,000 for medical bills. |
| 13 | Birth or Death involving a family member or close friend. |
| 14 | Aging Crisis. Owe 30,000 for medical bills. |
| 14 | Victim of a crime |
| 15 | Aging Crisis. Owe 30,000 for medical bills. |