TBSA

Calling themselves Superiors, they formed their own tight, highly disciplined enclaves within the free-wheeling lunar society, and were well on their way toward forming extended-family clans similar to those first formed in Descartes Station circa 2030, which in turn had become the basis of the aresian satraps and the TBSA clans.

A King of Infinite Space Steele, Allen 1997

"Highgate Traffic, this is Mexico Alpha Foxtrot one-six-seven-five, TBSA Comet, requesting clearance for primary approach on grid two-zero, do you copy?"

A King of Infinite Space Steele, Allen 1997

The TBSA raised its tariffs again, and Pax vessels were embargoed from Ceres Station.

A King of Infinite Space Steele, Allen 1997

The union had rules against this sort of thing, but apparently it was done often enough that no one in the TBSA looked twice, so long as a few kilolox made their way into the proper hands.

A King of Infinite Space Steele, Allen 1997

Since the Jovians could manufacture their own liquid oxygen, which they were able to supply in large quantities to the TBSA, the lox became nearly worthless so far as they were concerned.

A King of Infinite Space Steele, Allen 1997

It isn't unfair to call the Zodiac a deep-space mafia; its game wasn't politics or terrorism, but capitalism waving the Jolly Roger: extortion against unaffiliated TBSA members and piracy on Pax vessels operating within the Belt and Jovian space.

A King of Infinite Space Steele, Allen 1997

Since the Pax didn't perceive the TBSA as a potential threat, it allowed the miners to do pretty much as they wished, so long as they paid their tariffs.

A King of Infinite Space Steele, Allen 1997

Unfortunately, the Pax made the mistake of constantly raising the tariffs, which did little to keep it in good graces with the TBSA.

A King of Infinite Space Steele, Allen 1997

In my pocket is a cheap wallet containing a plastic card with John Ulnar's vital stats, plus five hundred kilolox transferred from the Comets account at the TBSA credit union.

A King of Infinite Space Steele, Allen 1997

With Earth shut off from space and the Pax from the outer system, Mars, Jupiter, and the TBSA were forced to rely upon their own resources for survival.

A King of Infinite Space Steele, Allen 1997