From CHM173S@vma.smsu.edu.Ext (Andrea and Sheryl (Chris Meadows))
Newsgroups: alt.pub.havens-rest
Subject: [Oberon, Inc.]  From Humble Beginnings...
Date: Fri, 30 Apr 93 17:07:58 CDT

     This is how it all started...
 
     "I don't get it, Jerry.  This planetary goverment wants our
hides, and the TARN military is STILL after us."
     "Yeah.  They claim we're building military hardware for
terrorists.  Dammit, Kevin, can't they get it through their
skulls? We're building recreational equipment, not military
hardware!"
     "But it does have possible military applications, you have
to admit that."
     "Yes, it does, and we both know it.  Look at the prototypes
we outfitted for ourselves."
     "Uh-huh.  Well, is all the equipment loaded?"
     "Yeah, Kev, you know it.  The FREEBIRD is ready to take
off."
     "What about the planetary defenses--I think they're primed
to shoot us down, aren't they?"
     "They won't hit us, what with that radar displacer Robert
down in R&D designed.  Clever fellow, remind me to give him a
raise if we live through this.  Hey, don't look at me like that,
it's just a joke!  Besides, planetary defenses are set up to stop
ships coming in, not ships going out.  They won't get near us."
     "What about this new place you found for us to set up
operations, this...Serendipity?"
     "Right.  It's really unique--it's both a frontier world and
a planetary trade nexus.  And they're always looking for new
corporations to set up there.  Plus, I think that we could find a
ready market for our products."
     "What's their extradition policy?"
     "Kev, you wound me!  You cut me to the quick!  I promise
you, we won't be arrested.  We aren't doing anything WRONG!  Just
because we have a new process for manufacturing--"
     "Jerry, the MILITARY is after us!"
     "Yes, they want our new process too.  But they won't risk
war with Serendipity.  I've done some checking.  That planet has
the most extensive planetary defense system for a non-military
planet.  And they have treaties with several other major
militaries.  NOT the one that's after us, though."
     "Extradition treaties?"
     "Kev..."
     "All right, all right.  It's not like we have anywhere else
to go.  Serendipity it is.  Maybe that will be the place where
Oberon, Incorporated can finally find a safe haven.  But I'm NOT
optimistic."
     "Great.  The chron says it's time, let's move!  Got to clear
out before the scheduled police raid arrives."
     "Oh, gee, thanks for reminding me..."
 
                              *****
 
     A month later or so, the cargo ship NGR-766-PXQ02,
designated FREEBIRD, emerged through one of the central Rifts and
was directed to a landing at Scaler Field.  When customs checked
it over, they found nothing more than machine parts and
hydraulics, and manufacturing equipment.  Basically, that was all
that was in the FREEBIRD.
     Over the next month or two, Kevin and Jerry Wycoff and their
employees set up the new corporation on Serenity.  Their
manufacturing plant was ready a few weeks after they landed, with
the offices still under construction.  Their link to SereNet was
up, the node address oberon.corp.ser.  They had erected premade
homes for some of their workers, and others were still living on
board ship pending construction of their housing.
     "All right...it's set up, let's begin production," Jerry
said.  "Ready, little brother?"
     "Ready.  This is great!  We can finally start manufacturing
without the government breathing down our necks!"
     "That's because there pretty much isn't any here.  Besides,
I think that in a place like this, our goods could get a wider
market than usual."
     "I hope you're right."  Kevin reached out and put his hand
on the button that would set their automatic assembly line begin
to run.  Jerry put his own hand on top of Kevin's, and said,
"Let's do it."  As one, they pressed down on the key, and were
rewarded by the metallic-hydraulic sounds of an assembly line
powering up into full operation.  Oberon, Incorporated was alive
again!
 
ADMIN: If you're interested in Oberon, Inc., and what they could
be manufacturing to cause such a stir, mail me.  I will say
this...their product WILL be made available to the general public
VERY SOON...and I predict PW may have an apoplectic fit.  If you
want to be one of the first buyers, get in touch with me at the
above address!  I guarantee, life at Haven's Rest will never be
the same again...(unless PW throws the Oberon Corporation off the
planet, which I doubt will happen...)
--
Chris Meadows           ||  Andrea & Sheryl
CHM173S@SMSVMA.BITNET   ||  [AU] thread, alt.pub.dragons-inn
CHM173S@VMA.SMSU.EDU    ||  --------------------------------
CMEADOWS@NYX.CS.DU.EDU  ||  A supporter of rec.arts.creative