| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Barbarian at age 18 |
| 1 | Suffer from a life-threatening illness. |
| 2 | Became a Field Researcher at age 22 |
| 2 | Make a breakthrough in your field. |
| 2 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 3 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 26 |
| 3 | 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. |
| 3 | Your work is sabotaged by unknown parties. You start again from scratch. |
| 3 | Gain an Enemy |
| 3 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 4 | Voluntarily left Field Researcher |
| 4 | Switched to Scavenger at age 30 |
| 4 | Find valuable salvage. |
| 4 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 5 | Continued as Scavenger at age 34 |
| 5 | Gained a contact. |
| 5 | Forced to continue current assignment |
| 5 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 6 | Continued as Scavenger at age 38 |
| 6 | Attacked by enemies that you easily defeat. |
| 6 | Gain Enemy if you don't already have one. |
| 6 | Promoted to rank 3 |
| 7 | Continued as Scavenger at age 42 |
| 7 | Survived a risky adventure but gained nothing. |
| 7 | Promoted to rank 4 |
| 8 | Continued as Scavenger at age 46 |
| 8 | run afoul of a criminal gang, corrupt bureaucrat or other foe. Gain an Enemy. |
| 9 | Became a Colonist at age 50 |
| 9 | You are rewarded for your diligence or cunning. |
| 9 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 10 | Continued as Colonist at age 54 |
| 10 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 10 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 10 | Is now a Settler |
| 11 | Continued as Colonist at age 58 |
| 11 | Life ruined by a criminal gang. Gain the gang as an Enemy |
| 12 | Returned to Barbarian at age 62 |
| 12 | Find an Alien Artifact. |
| 13 | Aging Crisis. Owe 30,000 for medical bills. |