| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Field Researcher at age 18 |
| 1 | Moved to a new world. |
| 1 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 2 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 22 |
| 2 | A rival researcher blackens your name or steals your research. Gain a Rival. |
| 3 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 26 |
| 3 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 3 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 4 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 30 |
| 4 | 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. |
| 4 | Lost eye or limb. Fully recovered. Owe 2,500 for medical bills. |
| 4 | Gain an Enemy |
| 4 | Promoted to rank 3 |
| 5 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 34 |
| 5 | A disaster or war strikes. |
| 5 | Lost eye or limb. Owe 1,250 for medical bills. |
| 5 | The planetary government interferes with your research for political or religious reasons. You continue working openly and gain an Enemy. |
| 6 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 38 |
| 6 | A romantic relationship deepens, possibly leading to marriage. Gain an Ally. |
| 6 | Promoted to rank 4 |
| 7 | Voluntarily left Field Researcher |
| 7 | Became a Explorer at age 42 |
| 7 | Serve as the courier for an important message from the Imperium. |
| 7 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 7 | Is now a Scout |
| 8 | Continued as Explorer at age 46 |
| 8 | Your ship is damaged, and you have to hitch-hike your way back across the stars to the nearest scout base. |
| 8 | Gain 4 Contacts. Gain 1 Enemies. |
| 9 | Became a Line/Crew at age 50 |
| 9 | Is now a Crewman |
| 9 | You foil an attempted crime on board, such as mutiny, sabotage, smuggling or conspiracy. Gain an Enemy. |
| 9 | Commissioned in Navy/Line/Crew |
| 9 | Is now a Ensign |
| 9 | Promoted to Line/Crew officer rank 2 |
| 9 | Is now a Sublieutenant |
| 10 | Continued as Line/Crew at age 54 |
| 10 | Betrayal. Convert an Ally into a Rival or Enemy. |
| 10 | Promoted to Line/Crew officer rank 3 |
| 10 | Is now a Lieutenant |
| 11 | Continued as Line/Crew at age 58 |
| 11 | Vessel participates in a notable military engagement. |
| 11 | Forced to muster out. |
| 12 | Became a Scavenger at age 62 |
| 12 | Good fortune |
| 13 | Continued as Scavenger at age 66 |
| 13 | Forced to muster out. |
| 14 | Aging Crisis. Owe 30,000 for medical bills. |