AN: This story will be set up into sections. To make it easier to follow Each section will be based on the stardate that part of the story takes place in.

Disclaimer: The characters within are the design of the tale we knew to be Star Trek TNG. I just happen to enjoy letting the old doctor and his best friend take a walk in my playground once in a while.

Captain's Log

Stardate 31612.49

The Stargazer is orbiting a previously uncharted Class L planet. The planet, now labeled L-147, has an overly abundance of liquid oxygen. Chief Science Officer Lt. Commander Jack Crusher advises it might be possible to beam down with collection units and gather enough of the liquid oxygen to replenish the supply consumed by our engines and life support. However, the safe retrieval of the liquid oxygen is hampered by an unusual concentration of asteroids. Which were quite possibly are the remnants of another planet exploding and its debris being caught in the gravitation of L-147.

Once the log was complete and he had his team selected for this duty he rose from his desk. His First Officer was not going to be happy, but he was the best qualified pilot to navigate through the debris and land safely on the serve of the planet. Jean-Luc stepped out of his Ready Room and on to the Bridge. His eyes trained on his First Officer Commander Staci Moorland, "You have the ship Number One." He said as he straightened his maroon Jacket and securing the flap, "Crusher, Joseph you're both with me."

"Sir?" The thick Austrian accent of his First Officer rang through the Bridge as she rose from the center seat. "Regulation 12 specifically states…"

"Stow it, Number One, I will not risk a shuttle craft or the cargo we have to retrieve to someone who has never logged hours navigating a debris field."

"Captain Picard has logged 250 hours piloting through debris field, Commander," Crusher added, reiterating a fact the First Officer should already know. Jack more than anyone knew exactly what his Captain and friend could do.

Before Moorland could utter another protest, Picard entered the lift, "Crusher, Joseph let's go now!"

For the most part their navigation through the field was simple. Most of the asteroids were inconsequential and widely dispersed, so navigating them was a simple feet, especially for an experienced shuttle pilot like Picard was. Jean-Luc was more than accustomed to hair pin curves and tight spots.

"Hard to Port," Jack said as he pointed to a rather large chunk of space rock almost directly in their path.

"Hang tight!" Captain Picard forced the shuttle to take a violent 90 degree roll to the left in order to avoid a collision with an asteroid that was twice the length of the shuttle. The lights flickered as the engines strained against the maneuver.

As the vessel rolled, the locking mechanism that secured Lt. Commander's safety harness came unlatched. Crusher was sent flying against the bulkhead. The horrific sound of cracking bone and a scream of pain filled the silence of the cabin. "Jack!" Jean-Luc called out as he caught the action from the corner of his eye. He couldn't help at the moment, nor could his security chief. All they could do was to try to navigate through the field. "Jack come on talk to me, tell me about that boat you and Beverly just bought." Jean-Luc knew he had to keep the man talking till he could safely check him.