Trauger gas, a toxin, was a byproduct of underground volcanic activity occurring on Socorro. The intense pressure below the surface resulted in the formation of trauger gas steam vents that breached the planet's surface. While these vents were not typically found in most open desert regions of Socorro, they were commonly observed in the planet's polar zones. Following these releases of steam, the Trauger compound persisted as an invisible and odorless gas. It existed in four states of matter, one of which was plasma gas. When mixed with water, this gas transformed into an exceptionally strong acid. The inhabitants of Socorro frequently maintained maps indicating the locations of known trauger gas emissions, and even spacecraft with sealed environments were cautioned to avoid these areas.
In its gaseous state, trauger gas possessed the ability to cause death to most living organisms within a matter of minutes. Besides the physical harm resulting from exposure to trauger gas, victims often experienced symptoms such as nausea, vertigo, respiratory distress, seizures, muscle weakness, impaired vision, and even cardiac arrest.
When in its acidic form, trauger gas became even more devastating upon contact. It could dissolve even the most durable metals, and contact with living tissue was known to inflict severe nerve damage, typically leading to the loss of any limb exposed to it. Trauger threatens to kill an Ibhaan'I woman. Few individuals possessed the courage to attempt collecting this hazardous gas, but those who did could earn substantial credits by selling it to eager assassins. Even under the safest conditions, those who handled trauger gas for prolonged durations often suffered from respiratory ailments and minor physical deformities.
The name "Trauger gas" originated from a bounty hunter named Trauger. While pursuing a target on Socorro, Trauger threatened to execute an Ibhaan'I woman unless a member of her tribe agreed to guide him to his quarry. The woman's son, Oceke, consented to assist Trauger on the condition that his mother was released. However, Oceke instead led Trauger into a field of the gas. The gas emissions resulted in the bounty hunter's immediate death. From that point forward, the Ibaan'I referred to the gas as "traugi'ha," which translates to Trauger gas.