| Term | History |
|---|
| 1 | Became a Explorer at age 18 |
| 1 | You have no idea what happened to you – they found your ship drifting on the fringes of friendly space. |
| 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 | Advanced training in a specialist field. |
| 3 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 4 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 30 |
| 4 | Betrayal. Convert an Ally into a Rival or Enemy. |
| 4 | Promoted to rank 3 |
| 5 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 34 |
| 5 | Assigned to work on a secret project for a patron or organisation. |
| 5 | Promoted to rank 4 |
| 6 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 38 |
| 6 | Refuse to join a cheat in some fashion. |
| 6 | Forced to muster out. |
| 7 | Became a Merchant Marine at age 42 |
| 7 | Is now a Crewman |
| 7 | Make an unexpected connection outside your normal circles. Gain a Contact. |
| 8 | Continued as Merchant Marine at age 46 |
| 8 | A series of bad deals and decisions force you into bankruptcy. You salvage what you can. |
| 9 | Returned to Field Researcher at age 50 |
| 9 | A disaster or war strikes. |
| 9 | Nearly killed. Owe 7,500 for medical bills. |
| 9 | The planetary government interferes with your research for political or religious reasons. You continue working openly and gain an Enemy. |
| 10 | Aging Crisis. Owe 30,000 for medical bills. |
| 10 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 54 |
| 10 | Make a breakthrough in your field. |
| 10 | Promoted to rank 5 |
| 11 | Aging Crisis. Owe 30,000 for medical bills. |
| 11 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 58 |
| 11 | A disaster leaves several injured, and others blame you, forcing you to leave your career. Gain a Rival. |
| 11 | Severely injured. |
| 12 | Aging Crisis. Owe 10,000 for medical bills. |
| 12 | Retired at age 62 |
| 12 | A romantic relationship deepens, possibly leading to marriage. Gain an Ally. |
| 13 | Aging Crisis. Owe 30,000 for medical bills. |