<Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> List of Star Trek: The Next Generation episodes </Td> </Tr> <P> "Final Mission" is the 83rd episode of the American science fiction television series Star Trek: The Next Generation, and the ninth episode of the fourth season . After learning that he finally has been accepted into Starfleet Academy, Wesley Crusher welcomes Picard's invitation to accompany him on an away mission that could resolve a mining dispute on an arid world . But following a shuttle crash and a near disastrous search for water that leaves the captain near death, Wesley finds himself charged with the weighty responsibility of keeping both himself and Picard alive until a rescue team can locate them . </P> <P> The Enterprise has traveled to the Pentarus system where Captain Picard (Patrick Stewart) must mediate a dispute among some miners on the fifth planet . Wesley Crusher (Wil Wheaton) receives word that he has been accepted to Starfleet Academy and, for his final mission, he will accompany Picard on his shuttle trip to Pentarus V. A distress call comes in from Gamilon V, where an unidentified vessel has entered orbit and is giving off lethal doses of radiation . Picard orders Riker to take the Enterprise to resolve that situation while he and Wesley travel in a shuttle sent by the miners, commanded by Captain Dirgo . </P> <P> En route, Dirgo's shuttle malfunctions and they are forced to crash - land on the surface of a harsh, desert - like moon . Though they are unharmed, the shuttle is beyond repair, and its communication systems and food replicators are disabled . Dirgo admits he has no emergency supplies on board, so they are forced to search for shelter and water . With his tricorder, Wesley identifies some caves and a potential source of water some distance away, and the three set out across the desert . Reaching a cave, they find a fountain - like water source, but it is protected by a crystalline forcefield . Dirgo attempts to use a phaser to destroy the field, but this activates a burst of energy from the fountain which encases the phaser in an impenetrable shell and causes a rock slide; Picard pushes Wesley out of the way but is severely injured in doing so . </P>

Star trek the next generation season 4 episode 9