Heller listened to the two informed opinions that his officers were goiving him, and in point of fact, they gave hime more answers than he was expecting, initially.  He nodded to both of them, and looked down at the chart.<br/><br/>"Commander Talos, set up your deep probe mission."  Heller said, looking at the CAG.  "You're right, we need harder intel for our situation.  If we can be sure of making passage to Ragnar from here, we'll do it, but I want to make sure it's clear, first."<br/><br/>Heller looked down at the plot table again, and dreaded what he had to do next.  He raised his eyes, to look at the XO and the CAG, wishing like hell he didn't have to do this.<br/><br/>"Major Corvin, I'm about to address the crew, and let them in on what we know."  He said, softly.  "I'm pretty sure the crewwill react accodringly, but I want a few of your marines on the ready, in case someone goes over the deep end."<br/><br/>With that, Jacob Heller dismissed his two officers, and turned to the OOD.  "Please give me inter-ship comms."<br/><br/>Again, the OOD nodded, and turned on the ship's intercommm system, keying it to Heller's position at the chart table.<br/><br/>"This is the Commander."  Heller began.  "About two hours ago, the<em>Ares</em>began downloading the newest set of communications, as is standard procedure for exiting No Man's Land.  After viewing and reviewing these messages, one thing has become clear.  Ladies and Gentlemen of the<em>Ares</em>crew, please prepare yourselves."<br/><br/>Heller took a couple of long moments, to let the crew adjust and prepare.  Then, he continued.<br/><br/>"Roughly two weeks ago, the Twelve Colonies were systematically and completely attacked with nuclear weapons, by none other than our old enemy, the Cylons.  What reports we have indicate that the entire Colonial Fleet has been eliminated, including Admiral Nagalla and his falgship,<em>Atlantia</em>.  In addition, the last known surviving Fleet asset, the Battlestar<em>Galactica</em>, may have been destroyed at Ragnar anchorage."<br/><br/>"As of this time, we're preparing to send a deep-probe intelligence mission with a pair of Raptors." Heller went on.  "If this mission shows us that the path is safe, we will move to Ragnar, ourselves, and investigate the situation.  If the path isn't clear, then it leaves us little choice."<br/><br/>"Crew of  the Ares, understand this."  Heller said, his voice full of purpose.  "We are now in a war that may never end.  WE may be the last members of humanity left alive.  It behooves us to survive, and preserve the chance of future generations.  As the Commander of this vessel, I give you my word  that I'll do all in my power to keep everyone aboard safe.  If we run accross the enemy, that enemy will meet our strongest resistance!"<br/><br/>"Somehow, I don't think the journey ahead of us will be easy."  Heller said, beginning his closing address.  "It'll be damned difficult, and we'll be scrambling for supplies and such.  However, I've seen waht this crrew can do, and I know it'll stand up to the challenge that would make the Colonies proud!  Men and Women of the Ares, it will be my honor to serve with you!"<br/><br/>"That is all, for now."  Heller said, closing his address.  After hanging up the comm-device, he turned to the OOD and began his first set of orders, as the Commander.<br/><br/>"Let's get things ready.  I want gun and missile batteries loaded and set on ready-alert."  He said.  "Also, I want to get a CAP schedule going, so work with the CAG on that.  Please send word to have Doctor Bellar meet me ASAP, so we can discuss his new guns.  Also, I want to know who we have that help with the computer network idea.  I don't like being that vulnerable, if the Cylons have the ability to hack us.  Let's make the ship ready, people."