| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Scientist at age 18 |
| 1 | Refuse to join a cheat in some fashion. |
| 2 | Continued as Scientist at age 22 |
| 2 | Work for an eccentric but brilliant mentor, who becomes an Ally. |
| 3 | Voluntarily left Scientist |
| 3 | Became a Broker at age 26 |
| 3 | Bankrupted by a rival. Gain the other trader as a Rival. |
| 4 | Returned to Scientist at age 30 |
| 4 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 4 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 5 | Continued as Scientist at age 34 |
| 5 | Win a prestigious prize for your work. |
| 5 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 6 | Continued as Scientist at age 38 |
| 6 | Refuse to join a cheat in some fashion. |
| 7 | Continued as Scientist at age 42 |
| 7 | Assigned to work on a secret project for a patron or organisation. |
| 7 | Promoted to rank 3 |
| 8 | Continued as Scientist at age 46 |
| 8 | 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. |
| 8 | An expedition or voyage goes wrong, leaving you stranded in the wilderness. |
| 8 | Gain an Enemy |
| 8 | Promoted to rank 4 |
| 9 | Continued as Scientist at age 50 |
| 9 | Entangled in a bureaucratic or legal morass that distracts you from your work. |
| 9 | Forced to muster out. |
| 10 | Became a Pirate at age 54 |
| 10 | Is now a Lackey |
| 10 | Betrayed by a friend. One of your Contacts or Allies betrays you, ending your career. That Contact or Ally becomes a Rival or Enemy. |
| 11 | Became a Scavenger at age 58 |
| 11 | Attacked by enemies and injured. |
| 11 | Lightly injured, no permanent damage. Fully recovered. |
| 11 | Gain Enemy if you don't already have one. |
| 11 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 12 | Aging Crisis. Owe 40,000 for medical bills. |
| 12 | Continued as Scavenger at age 62 |
| 12 | Drafted into Scout |
| 13 | Aging Crisis. Owe 20,000 for medical bills. |