The Soup

The Soup was a thick oceanic swirl of toxic gases surrounding the Highland plateau near Pelek Baw, the capital city of Haruun Kal. The gases were too thick for IR and visible light detectors and the metals content of the gases made it impossible for satellite sensors to penetrate.

Because of the gases in The Soup blocking all sensors, everyone in the spaceport at Pelek Baw carelessly believed that was where the Republic ships were hiding as they were distracted by the landing of a supposedly crippled gunship, damaged from a reactor breach. This gunship turned out to be a decoy to distract sensors techs from seeing the Republic ships approaching the spaceport to attack.