This is a guide to the real events, things, and ideas that the book uses as parts of its storyline and setting, and how they are used in the book.

• The secret brotherhood at the heart of the book is the Illuminati.
• The Lockheed Martin X-33 was a real space launch vehicle, whose prototype was 85% complete before NASA cancelled the project.
• CERN
• Freemasonry
• Henry A. Wallace was the Vice President of the United States and is alleged to be a Freemason who caused the Illuminati symbol to be included on U.S. 1 Dollar Bill
• Antimatter