| Term | History |
|---|
| 1 | Became a Merchant Marine at age 18 |
| 1 | Is now a Crewman |
| 1 | Bankrupted by a rival. Gain the other trader as a Rival. |
| 2 | Became a Field Researcher at age 22 |
| 2 | Gained a contact. |
| 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 | Make a breakthrough in your field. |
| 4 | Promoted to rank 3 |
| 5 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 34 |
| 5 | Your work is sabotaged by unknown parties. You start again from scratch. |
| 6 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 38 |
| 6 | 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. |
| 6 | An expedition or voyage goes wrong, leaving you stranded in the wilderness. |
| 6 | Gain an Enemy |
| 6 | Promoted to rank 4 |
| 7 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 42 |
| 7 | Win a prestigious prize for your work. |
| 7 | Promoted to rank 5 |
| 8 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 46 |
| 8 | A disaster or war strikes. |
| 8 | Lightly injured, no permanent damage. Fully recovered. |
| 8 | The planetary government interferes with your research for political or religious reasons. You continue working secretely. |
| 9 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 50 |
| 9 | Betrayal. Convert an Ally into a Rival or Enemy. |
| 9 | Promoted to rank 6 |
| 9 | Forced to muster out. |
| 10 | Became a Barbarian at age 54 |
| 10 | Attacked by enemies and injured. |
| 10 | Injured. Fully recovered. Owe 1,250 for medical bills. |
| 10 | Gain Enemy if you don't already have one. |
| 11 | Aging Crisis. Owe 60,000 for medical bills. |
| 11 | Continued as Barbarian at age 58 |
| 11 | Good fortune |
| 12 | Aging Crisis. Owe 20,000 for medical bills. |
| 12 | Continued as Barbarian at age 62 |
| 12 | Betrayed by a friend. One of your Contacts or Allies betrays you, ending your career. That Contact or Ally becomes a Rival or Enemy. |
| 13 | Aging Crisis. Owe 10,000 for medical bills. |