| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Scientist at age 18 |
| 1 | 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. |
| 1 | A rival researcher blackens your name or steals your research. Gain a Rival. |
| 1 | Gain an Enemy |
| 2 | Continued as Scientist at age 22 |
| 2 | Work leads to a considerable breakthrough. |
| 2 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 3 | Continued as Scientist at age 26 |
| 3 | A disaster or war strikes. |
| 3 | Severely injured. Fully recovered. Owe 1,250 for medical bills. |
| 3 | The planetary government interferes with your research for political or religious reasons. You continue working openly and gain an Enemy. |
| 4 | Continued as Scientist 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 | A disaster leaves several injured, and others blame you, forcing you to leave your career. Gain a Rival. |
| 4 | Injured. Fully recovered. Owe 2,500 for medical bills. |
| 4 | Gain an Enemy |
| 4 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 5 | Continued as Scientist at age 34 |
| 5 | Gained a contact. |
| 6 | Continued as Scientist 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 Courier at age 42 |
| 7 | Psychologically damaged by your time in the scouts. |
| 8 | Became a Free Trader at age 46 |
| 8 | Your ship or starport is destroyed by criminals. Gain them as an Enemy. |
| 8 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 9 | Continued as Free Trader at age 50 |
| 9 | Gained a contact. |