Held territory
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Held territory is land that remains under human administration during the parasite infestation. The term is used in contrast to lost regions, where infestation has ended government control, and to infested ground, the soil occupied by Beckon root networks. As of 2028 about 90% of the Earth's land surface is infested. The largest held area is northern and western Europe, administered by the European Federation, and the others are south-eastern Brazil, eastern Australia, New Zealand, Murmansk, and the railway corridors across Europe and Asia.
Terminology
"Held" describes administration. Parasites are found in all held territory, as Buglins in buildings, Devourers in waterways and organisms crossing from infested ground, and an area remains held as long as these are cleared faster than they establish. Ground is classed as infested once a Beckon root network has taken it. Land between the two, where infestation is present but not yet established, is called contested.
Extent
2020–2023
The term came into general use in 2023. Until then infestation was confined to West Africa, northern South America and scattered coastal sites. From 2023 it spread rapidly, with sparse sites appearing on most continents and dense infestation in Africa and South America.
2024–2028
By 2025 China and Japan were heavily infested. By 2026 Siberia was infested except along the railways, and in 2027 the United States lost its coasts, south and east. By 2028 held territory had contracted to its present extent.
Railway corridors
The railways across Europe and Asia are held as corridors through infested land, including the Trans-Siberian Railway and the line to Murmansk. They carry most freight between held regions, and are kept open by continuous clearance along the line, fortified stations and armed trains.
Administration
Held territory in Europe is administered by the European Federation and its member states, and since the Kraków Accords of 2027 by the joint H&A-EF command. The railway corridors are operated by H&A Logistics. The held areas in Brazil, Australia and New Zealand are administered by their own governments.
Population
As of 2028 held territory contains a growing share of the world's surviving population. Evacuation from lost regions has raised the population of held European cities sharply since 2025: Amsterdam has grown by about a third. Evacuees are registered and housed by municipal authorities, mainly in converted office buildings and temporary housing.
Economy and daily life
Trade between held regions is about a fifth of its level before 2020. Freight moves mainly by rail, and by sea under naval escort on the few routes that marine insurance still covers. Transport and arms production employ a growing share of the Federation's workforce.
Parasite control is part of ordinary municipal government. Cities run Buglin clearance through their pest-control services, close and fence waterways, and test public warning sirens monthly. Travel between held regions is mainly by rail.