Eight Ball's cultural references

## Religious references

* Moksha and the Samsara spiritual paths are recurring references and quite often main themes during Eight Ball's history progression, specially regarding the Samsara Circle clandestine organization.
* Moskha is frecuently cited by clandestine agent Vincent Duran regarding the lack of spiritualism enlightment of protagonist, Veronica Albion.
* Shiva-class supercomputers were named after Indian Goddess Shiva, one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Shaivism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism.
* "Mot", a nickname given to Vincent Duran by the Samsara Circle, was defined as the ancient Canaanite god of death and the Underworld.

## Music references

* During Chapter VII "Phobos" (1994), Saturday Night from Italian dance project Whigfield was one of the soundtracks being played at Red Carpet Pub & Dance Club while Franka Kleeberg and Leon Albion shared a dance.
* Come Undone (1993) by Duran Duran can be heard once during final **Chapter X "Neptune".** During the final meeting between Vincent Duran and Veronica Albion at the Pisces Chamber from the Longinus Oceanarium, it can be heard brieftly in the background.
* Weather With You (1992)  from Australian rock band Crowded House was played at least twice during Chapter VI "Pluto" (1993) and Chapter VIII "Deimos" (1994), respectively.
* During **Chapter X "Neptune"** and Franka Kleeberg's final scene at the Longinus International Airport, the 1986 song from British singer-songwriter Peter Gabriel, Mercy Street, was playing at the end of her departure to Berlin, Germany.
* During **Chapter IX "Uroborous"** while Franka Kleeberg had her last beer at Nautilus Casino & Resort's Main Bar, at least three tracks are played consecutively during the scene. The first one is UB40 - Baby Come Back (1994), the second Undercover - Baker Street (1992) and the last one playing is Pearl Jam - Oceans (1991).
* The song "One" from American heavy metal band Metallica was quoted and singed several times by Vincent Duran, therefore being considered as his signature song.
* May Dove Lexington's favourite track was "Lay Your Hands On Me" from the British-band Thompson Twins, which was first released in 1984. It was revealed to David Ballion by herself while driving; nonetheless, reasons behind this remain unknown.
* Protagonist Veronica Albion's favourite track was "Strangelove" from British-band Depeche Mode, which was first released in 1987. it can be heard brietfly from her apartment while both Langley and Ballion are paying her a visit.

## Media references

* Chris Farley was mentioned once by Thomas Langley as his favourite comedian.
* Billy Madison (1995) and The Beverly Hillbillies (1993) were mentioned by Arantza Prat as "the two most absurd films on Earth", nonetheless praised them for being both "special in a way".

## TV Series references

* Franka Kleeberg alongside Kolegium "A" Criminal Group's members were quite often called ***"The Planeteers"*** by Mikolaj Karol due to the young age of its participants. This was a clear reference to the 90s American animated series "Captain Planet and the Planeteers".
* The American avant-garde science fiction animated television series, Æon Flux, it is extensively quoted and referenced by both Leon Albion and Jerry McDowell, respectively.
* Both Bregna and Monica city-states from Æon Flux are mentioned by Jerry McDowell as perfect examples of political polarities, Bregna representing the Police State and Conservatism , but Monica on the other hand, a dynamic anarchist society. These political polarities were permanently discussed regarding current Longinus Special Administrative Region's political and financial agenda.
* Trevor Goodchild  from Æon Flux animated television series is brieftly mentioned by Leon Albion by comparing Member of the Parliament for Longinus, Leland Hayward, to Goodchild's Orwellian and conservative political policies.

## References to Astrology

* Scorpions and Bulls functioned as recurring Motifs during **Kleeberg - Albion relationship** by appearing as images and short-lenght videos. This a reference to the Scorpio - Taurus Axis which is largely studied by Contemporary Astrology.
* The Surya-class Defense Firewall proactive cyber defence programme was named after "Surya", that means "Sun" and it is one of the nine heavenly houses (Navagraha) in the zodiac system of Hindu astrology.

## Historical references

* Both clandestine arms dealer Pete Tembo and Polish Mob Mikolaj Karol were military suppliers for the Yugoslav Wars, mainly for the Bosnian War and the Croatian War of Independence, respectively. During **Chapter VI "Pluto"** (1993), the Sikorski Crime Family were responsable for clandestine child trafficking
* During the Falklands War of 1982, Royal Marine **Kenneth Albion** from the 3 Commando Brigade and the only brother of Veronica Albion, was killed during the Battle of Goose Green by an Argentine military company. As a result from this tragedy, Leon Albion was left orphan at the age of 7 and was legally secured as a guardian by Kenneth's only sister, Veronica Albion, which promised to raise him and fund his own education.
* Dino Buzzati was a highly experiencied and former veteran Special Air Service's operative from D Squadron, 22 Regiment. He served during during the Falklands War and participated actively in the Raid on Pebble Island and the failed Operation Mikado, respectively.
* Rhodesian clandestine arms dealer Pete Tembo, was a highly experiencied and former veteran Rhodesian Special Air Service's operative from "C" Squadron (Rhodesian) Special Air Service. It was brieftly mentioned by Vincent Duran that he participated in Operation Dingo against the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA) during the Rhodesian Bush War.
* Chilean Miguel Peñaloza and leader of the Pincheira Criminal Group was the only son of Camila Oyanedel and Matías Peñaloza, both active guerrilla members from the Manuel Rodríguez Patriotic Front revolutionary and Marxist-Leninist guerrilla organisation during the Military dictatorship of Chile (1973–1990). Both were kiled on 7 September 1986, after the FPMR attacked Dictator Augusto Pinochet's car in an assassination attempt.
* Chilean accountant Hugo "El Cutufo" Girardi was revealed to be a former DINA agent and prominent member of "La Cutufa", an illegal Chilean clandestine finance syndicate that offered investors, mostly officers of the Chilean army, tax-free interest rates of 20% a month. Furthermore, Girardi was listed by Vincent Duran as responsable of the death of both Matías Peñaloza and Camila Oyanedel during 7 September 1986, after the FPMR attacked Dictator Augusto Pinochet's car in an assassination attempt.
* TheLorica Segmentata Complex was named after a type of personal armour that was used by soldiers of the Roman Empire.
* Defense Screen Type-Caracala Firewallwas named after Roman emperor Caracala, which ruled Rome from 198 to 217 AD.It has been stated that Caracalla was considered an evil ruler, being classified as one of the most tyrannical Roman Emperors.
* Defense Screen Type-Tiberius Firewallwas named after the second Roman emperor Tiberius, reigning from 14 AD to 37 AD. The Gospels mention that during Tiberius' reign, Jesus of Nazareth preached and was executed under the authority of Pontius Pilate.
* Defense Screen Type-Caligula Firewallwas after the third Roman emperor Caligula, ruling from 37 to 41. Sources focus upon his cruelty, sadism, extravagance, and sexual perversion, presenting him as an insane tyrant.