| Term | History |
| 1 | Became a Journalist at age 18 |
| 1 | Find Ancient Technology. |
| 1 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 1 | Is now a Freelancer |
| 2 | Voluntarily left Journalist |
| 2 | Became a Line/Crew at age 22 |
| 2 | Is now a Crewman |
| 2 | Vessel participates in a diplomatic mission. |
| 3 | Continued as Line/Crew at age 26 |
| 3 | A romantic relationship deepens, possibly leading to marriage. Gain an Ally. |
| 3 | Promoted to Line/Crew rank 1 |
| 3 | Is now a Able Spacehand |
| 4 | Continued as Line/Crew at age 30 |
| 4 | Advanced training in a specialist field |
| 4 | Promoted to Line/Crew rank 2 |
| 4 | Is now a Petty Officer, 3rd class |
| 5 | Continued as Line/Crew at age 34 |
| 5 | Special assignment or duty on board ship. |
| 6 | Voluntarily left Line/Crew |
| 6 | Became a Wanderer at age 38 |
| 6 | Survived a risky adventure but gained nothing. |
| 7 | Continued as Wanderer at age 42 |
| 7 | Suffer from a life-threatening illness. |
| 8 | Became a Field Researcher at age 46 |
| 8 | Refuse to join a cheat in some fashion. |
| 8 | Promoted to rank 1 |
| 9 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 50 |
| 9 | Entangled in a bureaucratic or legal morass that distracts you from your work. |
| 9 | Promoted to rank 2 |
| 10 | Aging Crisis. Owe 50,000 for medical bills. |
| 10 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 54 |
| 10 | A rival researcher blackens your name or steals your research. Gain a Rival. |
| 11 | Aging Crisis. Owe 40,000 for medical bills. |
| 11 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 58 |
| 11 | Work leads to a considerable breakthrough. |
| 11 | Promoted to rank 3 |
| 12 | Aging Crisis. Owe 10,000 for medical bills. |
| 12 | Continued as Field Researcher at age 62 |
| 12 | A disaster or war strikes. |
| 12 | The planetary government interferes with your research for political or religious reasons. You continue working openly and gain an Enemy. |
| 13 | Aging Crisis. Owe 40,000 for medical bills. |