14. MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE - SMOG PROTOCOL

October 10, 2025

Sebastian took to heart the goal of eliminating smog from the city. He started locally: improving appliances to use less power, installing solar panels, and planting trees around the neighborhood.

He also took on N.A.P.s and began encouraging residents to join the Clean Energy initiative. Everyone reacted enthusiastically. Everyone had enough of the smog, even the mail carrier, who didn’t even live there but only occasionally delivered the mail. She signed the petition too.

At work, Bastian was sent to fix a malfunction that caused a leak in the laboratory, releasing large amounts of smog into the environment. He fixed the issue, but everyone was stumped on how to get rid of the smog. Nothing they did had any effect, and the atmosphere was tense, both in the office and outside.

Yusun: Hey, congratulations on your promotion! I heard you’re really getting involved in this smog issue. If you’re interested, Fran is leading a special environmental project. They’ve received funding to find a solution.

Bas: Thanks for the tip! I’ll reach out to him.

Bas: Whatever you’re doing, count me in.

Fran: I’m glad to hear that! I’ll send you the concepts the team has been working on so far, maybe something will inspire you.

And so, Bas temporarily started a career as a Civil Designer, automatically completing the Renaissance Sim aspiration. And, well, he also finished the Soul Journey as my youngest Sim.

Yusun: Don’t stay too long.

Bas: I’ll be done soon, but I just had an idea. I need to write it down first.

The next day, Bas wanted to finish working on the concept, but unfortunately, he got infected with some sort of Greenie Meanie. It was definitely from that terrible smog… So, instead of going to work, he had to see a naturopath, which irritated him even more.

The naturopath got Bastian back on his feet, so he could work on the concept for the rest of the day.

Bas: I think I’m stuck. But I feel like I’m close to a breakthrough.

Atlas: I’m not thinking at this hour. It's too late for me.

Rob: Maybe I can help?

Rob: The chances of a successful solution will increase tenfold if you apply a cyclonic mechanism with solid particle separation.

Bas: I’m not sure I know what you mean…

Rob: Simply put – you need to suck it up with something.

Bas: Oh! Like a reinforced vacuum cleaner! Brilliant!

Bas worked through the night to finish the concept. The next day, even though he was tired and still in the same clothes, he presented the smog vacuum project to Fran.

Fran: Great job, Bas! You’ve definitely earned a bonus. You’re as good as they said.

Bas didn’t want to waste any time. He immediately got to work on implementing the concept. First, he needed to gather the bits and pieces. Fortunately, he had a lot of unnecessary items, which he recycled. Finally, the smog vacuum was ready.

Bas: Let’s try this thing out!

Panya: Don’t get your hopes up. Nothing’s worked so far.

Bas: It has to work. Look! It’s sucking up the smog!

Panya: I don’t see any difference.

Bas: It’s definitely going to clear up soon. Just wait. It’ll work any minute now.

Panya: Uh-huh…

A few hours later.

Bas: I don’t understand why it’s not working, stupid machine. Come on! Is this a new bug from EA? Why isn’t anything changing?

Rob: We seem to be made to suffer. It's our lot in life. It’s quite possible that this smog is the most stable thing in the world and will stick with us forever.