The Pinicon Belt

Luna goes straight for the shuttle bay. She arrives there before the others and takes some time to load up a star map of the nearby Pinicon Belt.
It is dense for sure but what she wants to know is how fast the astroids are moving and the turning frequency of the larger ones. This knowledge could turn out to be a life saver in a tight spot.

The captain senses the briefing is near the end. "That's in Commander Walker's call. I'd expect that if you can collect a sample with transporters, then that's all that you need do. Officers, I'll let you prepare and we'll see you off when you're ready. Good luck."

The captain having given his orders and passed command to Walker departs the meeting room.

What preparations do you make for the mission? Once we're ready, we'll all join Luna is near leaving with the rest of you. Note: if you're unsure of the appropriate technobabble, describe what you want in the OOC and we'll work together to name the equipment as best we can from established lore.

As instructed by Commander Walker, Devar just works with Ensign Drake and Doctor M'Ress in assembling medical supplies and equipment needed for the mission.

"By your leave, Captain." Aurin found his feet and, glancing over his shoulder, swept into the corridor to make his way to the shuttle bay.

Aurin emerged from the turbolift into the flight control deck. He had called for engineering to meet him in the bay to oversee the modifications, but he certainly had a few minutes to smooth ruffled feathers.

He approached the console where Luna was engaging in some cartography, his head tipping slightly. "I don't believe you were dismissed, lieutenant." It wasn't a reprimand - his voice was more concerned. Curious. He approached the console, taking note of her study. "I get the impression you don't agree with the plan I've proposed. I... hope you don't think I was overriding your concerns, and not just presenting my own assessment."

Beyond the basic medical supplies taken on shuttle missions and something to isolate samples or crewmen from potential exposure, she doesn't go overboard. the shuttle isn't that big after all

Drake helps the Doctor and Devar collect what they need for the mission. He then runs diagnostics on the runabouts, weapons, and shields. When he is satisfied that everything is in order he checks to make sure that he looks professional, smart, and capable.

Luna looks up from the cartography as Aurin enters. "No worries." she replies. The preparation had eased her annoyance of not getting it her way.
"I was just studying the field. I think we can manage it with the Danube. I get it that the science team needs their equipment." She returns her attention to the map. Here, take a look at this. she points out a few interesting details to Aurin.

Cole smiled over the rim of his coffee cup, content to remain sitting and finish his morning beverage, as the rest of the officers followed the Captain out. One of the perks of being XO he supposed as he drained the last remnants of the thick, black Klingon beverage. Replacing the mug back in the replicator, and straightening the heavy gray top of his fatigues, he too exited the briefing room and strode confidently to the turbolift knowing that the mission prep had begun in earnest and satisfied with the ideas being put forward thus far.

"Good. We'll be counting on you." He looked down at his right hand, the yellow-gray pseudoscales cut through with strange, veinous scars that had grown back almost bleach white. He seemed to drift off in a moment of contemplation, before she brought his attention back to the console.

"Oh? What is it?" He leaned forward, eager to listen. He knew what about the asteroid field had concerned him, but knowing what caught Luna's attention about it might grant some insight, especially if he would be keeping an eye out for her at the sensor console.

"Well, some of the larger asteroids have a gravity pull, which means there is a risk of collisions if we approach them straight on. Especially this one, it is almost 250 miles in diameter. We'll have to loop it... I mean orbit it to avoid it." The large asteriod is obvious on the map.

"But then there are these." she indicates at a very negligible group of asteroids. "C-types. They are dark and almost impossible to get a visual on. We have to scan for these. It is important, they move fast and even one of 1-2 meters in diameter would prove fatal."

With your gear stowed upon the runabout, you're all set for Luna to pilot you out of the hangar and away from the USS Christa McAuliffe.

With everyone onboard, Luna starts up the runabout named the Raven. It lifts smooth from the landing, turns 90° and exits the shuttle bay with a bit more speed than standard procedure prescribes.

"Control, we are clear. Course 010-mark-271. Elevation 6 degrees."

The small craft flies into open space, leaving the safety of Christa and setting a course for the Pinicon Pelt and it wealth of asteroids.

As they approach the Belt, Luna decreases the speed.

Aurin, crouched over one of the hexagonal containers arrayed in the cargo bay, rose to his feet as he felt the gentle stir of the shuttle. Satisfied that the field reinforced casks would contain any unusual radiation from the samples, he moved from the aft cargo bay and onto the flight deck, taking a seat at one of the rear operations consoles.

"All of the mission equipment is reporting green, Commander. We should be ready to proceed to the first extraction site."

Smiling to his self as Lieutenant Vilchis expertly, and at a speed that exceeded regulations, maneuvered the shuttle out of the Christa and towards the asteroid belt. Cole couldn't help but imagine the furrowing of Captain Syrran's Vulcan brow at the pilot's exuberance. As Luna approached the Belt she began to decrease speed, affording Cole the opportunity to address his scientists.

"Lieutenant Vilchis provided the options --- do we want to dive right in and try a big one? Or skirt the edge and see what we can get before attempting the hard stuff?"

"If I may, which action causes the least risk?" Drake interjects. "Safety is paramount. I've double-checked the diagnostics on the photon torpedo launch systems and the phaser arrays. All is in working order, Captain."

"I believe it would be prudent to test the apparatus and get preliminary readings on the samples from the less hazardous outer areas." Aurin swiveled the sensors' focus towards the nearest collection site the probe had flagged. "Once we're confident in the procedure, and confident that these space rocks won't rip a hole in spacetime while we are being borne down on by a dwarf planet, we can try for the larger concentrations nearer the heart of the belt."

"Whatever you prefer., XO. I can do both. But it seems like caution has the vote, so I'll try to get close the the edge, so the team can do the preliminary readings.
Just say when, if you want me to go deeper." Luna says while turning the Ravento align close to the edge of the vast asteroid field. Trying to get as close as possible.

Watches quietly, her tail twitching slightly. She was not overly fond of shuttle missions. But her crew needed her. So she stayed. Not that there was much choice at the moment.
She glances at the view screen as they maneuver, watching with concerned eyes

Asteroids of varying size, some much larger than a starship, loom just outside the shuttle’s viewports and stretch on for as far as you can see. The asteroids often drift within meters of one another and sometimes even collide. Navigating to the center of the asteroid field will take some careful piloting.

Luna navigates the runabout expertly through the asteroid field, seeming to know the open paths before she can see them. Of course, she flies with one eye on the viewscreen and the other in the slightly malfunctioning sensors. It isn't enough to deter her, however, and the runabout remains unscathed despite the constant and chaotic movement around you.

An alert sounds from the sensors as strange lights flash among the rocky debris of the asteroid field. Floating into view moments later is the darkened hull of a Starfleet runabout, virtually identical to the one you’re riding in but with a hull battered by an apparent asteroid collision.

The "Quantum Interference" Complication adds +1 to the Difficulty of any sensor scans inside the Pinicon Belt. The Complication also affects navigation, adding +1 Difficulty to Tasks related to flying through the asteroids