The Hidden Blade Assassin's Creed in Depth

(I hope this is the right place to post -- seemed the most fitting?)

I thought this was interesting. I've been reading "Among Others" by Jo Walton (January 2011, Tor Books). The novel (thus far) set in the late 70's details the life of a 15-year-old Welsh girl who has a great fondness for Sci-Fi. Though being a SF book itself, Among Others doesn't exhibit any extraordinary magic and is lacking in the "Epic Quest" department. It's refreshingly down-to-Earth and pleasantly simple.

As the girl, Mor, makes friends in a new town, she eventually finds her niche in a local book club. While discussing the "Foundation" trilogy, they had this to say,

(Excerpt from "Among Others" by Jo Walton, 2011, loc 3667)

...I wondered if you could write a story where a secret society have been manipulating history all along for mysterious ends?
"Who's been around long enough?" Greg asked.
"The Catholic Church?" Janine offered.
Pete snorted, "If so, they haven't been doing a very good job of it. They controlled half the world, and they lost control.

(Remove unrelated content)

"Unless it's actually a secret inner cabal whose goals are not the church's ostensible goals." I said.
"Templars?" Keith suggested.
"Secret alien technologist Templars!" Wim put in.

(End excerpt)

It seems to me that Mr. Walton has offered AC a discreet wink/nudge. I was quite tickled by it.

~Genji