Through the Asteroids—To Hell!

Blair Freedman had torn that tunnel through the grinding asteroid wall—with the mighty Cutter ... he'd die readily enough now to keep it open—but not with the girl he loved!
Blair Freedman pushed the jet control slightly, sending the X26 into a wide slow arc toward the asteroid tunnel. He sighed and glanced at the chart on the desk. Trip number seven thousand twenty-two. For the rest of his life.
Come over here, Jerry, he called.
Jerry Graham, short, slight of figure, smiled and left the navigation desk. Graham's face was black where his razor had left heavy hair just below the surface of the skin. His smile was mild and the brown eyes behind heavy spectacles were gentle.
What is it, Blair?
He stood beside Freedman, watching the solid, moving wall of the asteroid belt.
Blair Freedman sighed.
Did you ever have the urge to deliberately miss the entrance of the tunnel? To hit full on against the asteroids?
Graham stiffened, feeling ice water sluice suddenly into his veins.
Are you nuts?
Freedman relaxed. His grip on the control lever became lighter, more expert.
No, he said slowly. No, I'm okay. For a minute I was crazy, I guess. That's why I called you.