| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Barbarian at age 18 |
| 1 | Betrayed by a friend. One of your Contacts or Allies betrays you, ending your career. That Contact or Ally becomes a Rival or Enemy. |
| 2 | Switched to Scavenger at age 22 |
| 2 | Attacked by enemies that you easily defeat. |
| 2 | Gain Enemy if you don't already have one. |
| 2 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 3 | Continued as Scavenger at age 26 |
| 3 | Contact with Government. |
| 4 | Continued as Scavenger at age 30 |
| 4 | Suffer from a life-threatening illness. |
| 5 | Became a Field Researcher at age 34 |
| 5 | 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. |
| 5 | A disaster leaves several injured, and others blame you, forcing you to leave your career. Gain a Rival. |
| 5 | Scarred. Fully recovered. Owe 10,000 for medical bills. |
| 5 | Gain an Enemy |
| 5 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 6 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 38 |
| 6 | Win a prestigious prize for your work. |
| 6 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 7 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 42 |
| 7 | A disaster or war strikes. |
| 7 | The planetary government interferes with your research for political or religious reasons. You continue working secretely. |
| 8 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 46 |
| 8 | Work for an eccentric but brilliant mentor, who becomes an Ally. |
| 8 | Promoted to rank 3 |
| 9 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 50 |
| 9 | Win a prestigious prize for your work. |
| 9 | Promoted to rank 4 |
| 10 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 54 |
| 10 | Entangled in a bureaucratic or legal morass that distracts you from your work. |
| 10 | Forced to muster out. |