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Without the ravages of two World Wars to upset the geopolitical status quo, and with the advances in etheric travel, the Great Powers of Europe maintained their colonial holdings well into the late 20th Century. Rather than unleashing their aggression directly upon one another as they did in the current timeline, the colonies became the focus of their "Proxy Wars" in much the same way as Southeast Asia became the focus of the Cold War in current history.

Africa in particular was constantly embroiled in viscious wars that only became more horrific as the Great Powers continued to engage in "Diplomatic Negotiations". Millions of people died at the whim of political leaders in Europe. Promising to bring peace and stability, tribal and ethnic hatreds were enflamed, genocide and ethnic clensing encouraged and petty dictators were propelled into office and propped up with the threat of zeppelin bombings for any who dared to resist them. It was a living hell to those trapped there.

In the late 1990's Festus Mogae lead a popular uprising in Bechuanaland. They siezed control of the Zeppelin Hangers and several local Army bases. Mogae's rebels then stormed the palace and declared their independance from Britain, renaming the country to Botswana. Obviously, such impertinence could not go unpunished and Victoria Regina ordered the redcoats into action. But the focus of the Proxy Wars had moved to space and Britain simply didn't have the military wherewithal to sustain a protracted conflict. Botswana quickly turned into Britain's version of Vietnam and after an 18-month campaign, they were forced to withdraw.

Britain's capitulation sparked off dozens of rebellions and revolutions all across Africa. Years of oppression by the Europeans had finally reached the breaking point and with Botswana's aid, more and more countries drove the foreigners out. The Germans and British struggled to keep control of their holdings and were severely bloodied for it. The French, who saw the writing on the wall, quickly arranged for a peaceful transfer of power in their former colonies in hopes of securing a favorable relationship with the African nations. Eventually, all of Africa was liberated.

As in most revolutions, there were a number of power vacuums and terrible instability left in its wake. Botswana took the lead in helping the fledging nations recover from years of abuse. It mediated disputes and enforced settlements in a fair and even-handed manner. Eventually, it formed the Pan-African Telostean Hegemony (PATH) to create a united Africa that would move forward into the future.

Once the housecleaning was complete, the PATH built up a significant space presence and extended its reach out to the solar system. While they were very latecomers to a crowded space, the PATH made the most of their holdings and developed a reputation first as a source of cheap labor in space and then as space development specialists capable of resolving complex technological problems. In time, they came to rival the European Powers if not in size, then certainly in power and prestige. The Proxy Wars had a new player and the Great Powers were at a loss to deal with them. When the Ionian Infatada broke out, the PATH stepped in and the Great Game was dashed to the floor. A new era had begun.

SEE ALSO: Ionian Infatada, Victoria Regina, Zulus?

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This is an B entry in the Lexicon of the Lost 500 Years.