| Term | History |
|---|
| 1 | Became a Scientist at age 18 |
| 1 | Work for an eccentric but brilliant mentor, who becomes an Ally. |
| 1 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 2 | Continued as Scientist at age 22 |
| 2 | 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. |
| 2 | A rival researcher blackens your name or steals your research. Gain a Rival. |
| 2 | Gain an Enemy |
| 3 | Continued as Scientist at age 26 |
| 3 | Win a prestigious prize for your work. |
| 4 | Continued as Scientist at age 30 |
| 4 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 5 | Continued as Scientist at age 34 |
| 5 | Entangled in a bureaucratic or legal morass that distracts you from your work. |
| 5 | Forced to muster out. |
| 6 | Became a Surveyor at age 38 |
| 6 | You spend a great deal of time on the fringes of Charted Space. |
| 6 | You have no idea what happened to you – they found your ship drifting on the fringes of friendly space. |
| 7 | Continued as Surveyor at age 42 |
| 7 | You inadvertently cause a conflict between the Imperium and a minor world or race. Gain a Rival. |
| 8 | Became a Journalist at age 46 |
| 8 | You are forced out because of censorship or controversy. What truth did you get too close to? |
| 9 | Switched to Courier at age 50 |
| 9 | You discover a world, item or information of worth to the Imperium. |
| 9 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 9 | Is now a Scout |
| 10 | Continued as Courier at age 54 |
| 10 | You spend a great deal of time on the fringes of Charted Space. |
| 10 | Gain a contact in an alien race. |
| 11 | Continued as Courier at age 58 |
| 11 | Lost eye or limb. Fully recovered. Owe 5,000 for medical bills. |