| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Scavenger at age 18 |
| 1 | Injured. |
| 2 | Became a Field Researcher at age 22 |
| 2 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 2 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 3 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 26 |
| 3 | Refuse to join a cheat in some fashion. |
| 3 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 4 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 30 |
| 4 | A rival researcher blackens your name or steals your research. Gain a Rival. |
| 4 | Promoted to rank 3 |
| 5 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 34 |
| 5 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 5 | Promoted to rank 4 |
| 6 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 38 |
| 6 | Entangled in a bureaucratic or legal morass that distracts you from your work. |
| 6 | Forced to muster out. |
| 7 | Became a Merchant Marine at age 42 |
| 7 | Is now a Crewman |
| 7 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 7 | Is now a Senior Crewman |
| 8 | Continued as Merchant Marine at age 46 |
| 8 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 8 | Is now a 4th Officer |
| 9 | Continued as Merchant Marine at age 50 |
| 9 | A sudden war destroys your trade routes and contacts, forcing you to flee that region of space. |
| 9 | Gain rebels as Enemy |
| 10 | Switched to Scientist at age 54 |
| 10 | A disaster or war strikes. |
| 10 | Lightly injured, no permanent damage. Fully recovered. |
| 10 | The planetary government interferes with your research for political or religious reasons. You continue working openly and gain an Enemy. |
| 11 | Aging Crisis. Owe 50,000 for medical bills. |
| 11 | Continued as Scientist at age 58 |
| 11 | Work for an eccentric but brilliant mentor, who becomes an Ally. |
| 11 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 12 | Aging Crisis. Owe 50,000 for medical bills. |
| 12 | Continued as Scientist at age 62 |
| 12 | Work for an eccentric but brilliant mentor, who becomes an Ally. |
| 12 | Forced to muster out. |
| 13 | Aging Crisis. Owe 20,000 for medical bills. |
| 13 | Retired at age 66 |
| 13 | A romantic relationship ends badly. Gain a Rival or Enemy. |
| 14 | Aging Crisis. Owe 30,000 for medical bills. |