| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Colonist at age 18 |
| 1 | You gain experience in a technical field as a computer operator or surveyor. |
| 1 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 2 | Continued as Colonist at age 22 |
| 2 | Political upheaval strikes your homeworld, and you are caught up in the revolution. |
| 2 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 2 | Is now a Settler |
| 3 | Continued as Colonist at age 26 |
| 3 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 3 | Promoted to rank 3 |
| 4 | Voluntarily left Colonist |
| 4 | Became a Field Researcher at age 30 |
| 4 | Work for an eccentric but brilliant mentor, who becomes an Ally. |
| 4 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 5 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 34 |
| 5 | Gained a contact. |
| 5 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 6 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 38 |
| 6 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 6 | Promoted to rank 3 |
| 7 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 42 |
| 7 | Victim of a crime |
| 7 | Promoted to rank 4 |
| 8 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 46 |
| 8 | Win a prestigious prize for your work. |
| 8 | Promoted to rank 5 |
| 9 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 50 |
| 9 | 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. |
| 9 | A disaster or war strikes. |
| 9 | Scarred. |
| 9 | The planetary government interferes with your research for political or religious reasons. You continue working openly and gain an Enemy. |
| 9 | Gain an Enemy |
| 9 | Promoted to rank 6 |
| 10 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 54 |
| 10 | Scarred. Fully recovered. |
| 11 | Aging Crisis. Owe 60,000 for medical bills. |
| 11 | Retired at age 58 |
| 11 | Betrayal. Convert an Ally into a Rival or Enemy. |
| 12 | Aging Crisis. Owe 20,000 for medical bills. |
| 12 | Betrayal. Convert an Ally into a Rival or Enemy. |
| 13 | Aging Crisis. Owe 10,000 for medical bills. |
| 13 | Gained a contact. |
| 14 | Aging Crisis. Owe 60,000 for medical bills. |
| 14 | Moved to a new world. |
| 15 | Aging Crisis. Owe 20,000 for medical bills. |