| Term | History |
|---|
| 1 | Became a Colonist at age 18 |
| 1 | You learn something you should not have – a corporate secret, a political scandal – which you can profit from illegally. |
| 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 | A revolution, attack or other unusual event throws your life into chaos, forcing you to leave the planet. |
| 4 | Became a Scientist at age 30 |
| 4 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 4 | Forced to continue current assignment |
| 4 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 5 | Continued as Scientist at age 34 |
| 5 | Assigned to work on a secret project for a patron or organisation. |
| 6 | Continued as Scientist at age 38 |
| 6 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 6 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 7 | Continued as Scientist at age 42 |
| 7 | 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. |
| 7 | A rival researcher blackens your name or steals your research. Gain a Rival. |
| 7 | Gain an Enemy |
| 7 | Promoted to rank 3 |
| 8 | Continued as Scientist at age 46 |
| 8 | 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. |
| 8 | An expedition or voyage goes wrong, leaving you stranded in the wilderness. |
| 8 | Gain an Enemy |
| 9 | Continued as Scientist at age 50 |
| 9 | Assigned to work on a secret project for a patron or organisation. |
| 9 | Promoted to rank 4 |