Two Suns

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For this expedition, he had to leave his family in Novosibirsk. Olga's position no longer allowed her to accompany her husband, and their daughter, Irina, had to remain behind as well. Thankfully, experienced Olga was there to assist them.

Involuntarily, he let out a sigh, pondering about his family, especially Olga. However, moments later, a smile graced his face as he remembered his mother's courageous encounter with a wild beast: «They'll be just fine with such a grandmother around!»

* * *

Upon arriving in the new Siberian «capital,» Olga was struck by a sudden realization: she deeply missed Moscow, its everyday comforts, and the predictability of life it offered. In the short time she spent there, she had grown to love the capital and felt a sense of belonging. The taiga adventures seemed more suitable for young, unburdened individuals without families and children. Moreover, her relationship with her mother-in-law was not particularly harmonious. The weather outside mirrored her emotional state, swinging between thaw and frost, as the northern winds clashed with the southern ones – and her mood, like the weather, fluctuated with remarkable swiftness.

In early May, Leonid managed to make his way to Novosibirsk, where he had to submit an interim report to Sibstroyput. The party was in need of supplies, and the situation was clearly deteriorating.

The reunion with his family was filled with a mix of emotions. Olga immediately busied herself in the kitchen, as her caring nature always manifested her love. Little Irina clung to her father, not willing to let him go for even a moment, while Olga remained somewhat distant. Being pregnant was not a new experience for her, so Leonid didn't pay much attention to it. However, he couldn't help but notice that his wife appeared immensely tired, even though there were still two months left before the due date.

Playfully, he asked, «Come on, what's going on, Olga? Did you not want me to come?»

«Stupid…» she replied, expressing some irritation.

Wanting to embrace her husband, Olga found her efforts thwarted by Irina, who extended her little arms protectively and stated, «He's mine.»

Leonid assured his daughter, «Of course, I'm yours, baby! Yours and Mommy's. Mommy's ours, right?»

Irina nodded, still keeping her hands around her father.

Olga's words were tinged with frustration as she said, «You see, you let her do everything, but with you, she doesn't listen to anyone else.»

«It's just that she's at such a possessive age,» Leonid explained, kissing his daughter on the head. «You'll see, she'll become your best assistant.»

Before leaving, Mirachevsky promised Irina that she would soon be the eldest and should take care of her mother. To Olga, he advised, «You should take more walks now; the weather's nice. And take care of yourself – a little person needs a healthy, cheerful mother.»

* * *

The new addition to the family wasted no time, making her entrance on May 22, a month ahead of schedule. And once again, it was a girl.

Nina, tiny and delicate, was a constant source of distress for her mother. She cried incessantly, driving Olga to her wits' end with both her screams and her fragility. Worried for her second daughter, Olga was hesitant to let her older sister near Nina, curtailing all of Irina's attempts to entertain the little one.

Amidst the brewing storms, Olga remained composed and confident. She adeptly managed multiple tasks at once – stirring porridge with one hand while cradling the newborn in the other, all while engaging in conversation with Irina. The stubborn daughter-in-law had to reluctantly admit that she couldn't handle it alone.

It was nearly a month later when Leonid finally had the opportunity to see his family and hold the «girl again» in his arms.

* * *

Come July, Mirachevsky received news that his party was being transferred to a different route. Time with his family was scarce; he had to submit the project, prepare for the new expedition, and – surprise, surprise – write an article for the newspaper called Sovetskaya Sibir.

«And who else could I trust with it?» demanded the formidable head of the trust, brushing off Leonids protests about being already overwhelmed. «You're a scientist from the capital, and you have an eloquent way of explaining things. If you can set tasks for your employees, then you can present it all to your readers.»

And so, Leonid took up the task. He wrote about the necessity of building the South Siberian road, to the south of the Trans-Siberian, as a means to relieve the main highway and connect industrial regions. He emphasized that the shortest route would save «the state several million more rubles,» and, of course, he did not forget to highlight the hard work of his employees…

Yet, he remained silent about the fact that the project had been considered by the Tsarist government and initially implemented by Admiral Kolchak, the Supreme Ruler of Russia during the Civil War – a topic that was better left untouched at that time. Additionally, the route had been altered, rendering the structures built under Kolchak's order unused. Subsequent expeditions charted new paths for every section of the future road, from Tayshet to Minusinsk, Kuznetsk to Barnaul, and Kulunda (where construction had been particularly intensive in 1919).