At the very end of August, the Mirachevsky family suddenly grew: Olga and her husband arrived unannounced, like a summer snow (as they say, such things happen in these parts).
After reading the mute question in her daughter-in-law's eyes, the mother-in-law immediately clarified:
«My son is here, and here is where I will live.»
«Mom, maybe it would be better in Moscow after all?» was all Leonid could manage.
It turned out that it wasn't a whim to suddenly move so far away. Life in Chervona had become unbearable for the proud woman: the local authorities had requisitioned the old house – the family nest of the Shpirkans.
Thus, Irina's life forever included her grandmother and grandfather, and the survey party gained two more reliable workers – Leonid's mother and her husband, Nikolai Kirik, who had served as a gamekeeper in Podolia.
The members of that expedition faced many difficulties, but Olga could never forget one encounter with a bear in the taiga for the rest of her life. She had wandered quite far from the camp while picking mushrooms. The clearing was teeming with mushrooms, and the woman didn't have time to straighten up before she heard the crunch of twigs. When she looked up, a few meters away stood a bear. Frozen with horror, she remembered what Saveliy had told her about these animals. It was absolutely impossible to run away, and dangerous to stay. It was said that one should not shout, but then the bear must have seen her as prey and roared. In response, Olga screamed in the same way – out of horror and surprise. She stood right in front of the fearsome beast and shouted loudly and desperately, without taking a step back! Surprisingly, the bear first backed away, then turned, and retreated into the thicket. She collapsed onto the grass, drained of strength… She didn't remember how she made her way back to the camp, but she clutched onto the basket of mushrooms throughout the ordeal.
Towards the year's end, Mirachevsky's party found itself relocated to Novosibirsk. The family embarked once more on the winter road, now accompanied by a larger brood. Their numbers had expanded, but it was not the final count, for they anticipated a new addition by summer – Olga was pregnant again.
Chapter 4: «In the Everyday Life of Great Construction Sites…»
Novosibirsk greeted the newcomers with astonishment. The central part resembled one vast construction site. It was still reminiscent of the Novonikolayevsk of the early century, mostly wooden and with only a few paved streets, hardly befitting its newfound status as the capital of the West Siberian region. Nevertheless, the former merchant and trading town was rapidly transforming into a major industrial center. Krasny Avenue (formerly Nikolayevsky Avenue), the main street, had been widened and adorned with a boulevard by the mid-1920s. The once old buildings were being replaced by emerging constructs of the constructivist architectural style.
Symbolically, this avenue originated from the Trans-Siberian Railway, and with the revival of railway construction, the city emerged as a crucial transportation hub, connected to new routes like the Turk-Sib and the line linking Novosibirsk with Kuzbass.
The vast territory of the region encompassed rich mineral deposits but lacked a well-developed road network. Thus, the Sibstroyput Trust, tasked with developing the transportation infrastructure, had an abundance of work ahead. They needed to connect areas where coal, iron ore, and rare metals were mined with the cities housing processing enterprises and the factories in the Urals.
Throughout most of the year, numerous survey parties toiled in the field, exploring potential road routes across Kuzbass and the Altai Mountains. Once the cold weather set in, they returned to Novosibirsk to process data and engage in design work. This was the «desk» work that awaited Leonid, who had been assigned to the service of Sibstroyput. New surveys were planned to commence in the spring.
The construction of the trust's own housing for employees hadjust commenced. The Mirachevsky family did not secure an apartment in any of the new city buildings, but they considered themselves fortunate in a way. Communal houses from the mid-1920s were not the most comfortable living spaces, especially for families. Instead, they were provided a separate room in the department's dormitory, a small two-story, blue-painted wooden house. Olga and her husband received a separate room too. Though they had few neighbors, the ones they did have were amiable and intelligent, adding a friendly and supportive atmosphere to their close living quarters.
Mirachevsky barely had a chance to report on the findings of the Kiren expedition when he received another urgent assignment. While the deposits of southwestern Siberia were being developed for decades, the riches of the Altai Mountains remained isolated from the country's transportation system. The region saw a surge in mineral extraction, with new mines and power plants being built, but the existing narrow gauge railroads struggled to keep up with the demands of the time.
In the fall of 1930, the Council of Labor and Defense made a decision to «ensure the development of railway transport» for the Ore Altai mining industry. One of the top priorities was the construction of the Rubtsovsk-Ridder road to connect the Turk-Sib station with a town in Eastern Kazakhstan. Research of the area was already underway, and Leonid's party was assigned to assist other expeditions in this region.
Ridder, a cluster of mining villages, left a rather gloomy impression. However, nestled in the foothills of the Ore Altai Mountains, surrounded by mines and factories, it appeared as a modest stage set against the majestic backdrop of the Ivanovsky Ridge amphitheater, stretching away to the east for over a hundred kilometers. The town, named in honor of Philip Ridder, who discovered local deposits of polymetallic ores in the early 19th century, paled in comparison to the splendor of the pine forests, rivers, and hills, behind which snow-covered peaks loomed.
Once again, the party's leader marveled at his fortune – a new place to explore, captivating natural beauty, challenging tasks, and the opportunity to meet intriguing individuals.
Within less than two years after graduating from the institute, it was evident that Mirachevsky was a natural leader. His organizational skills, combined with an innate ability to connect with people, made him an exceptional leader. His genuine concern for his team's well-being and the ability to foster a cohesive unit created a loyal and devoted workforce.
During those turbulent times, the labor market was saturated with people seeking better opportunities. Many fled their homelands, escaping collectivization, evading vigilant authorities, or grappling with the uncertainty of the new order. The «deprived» were reluctant to accept even the lowest-paid positions. However, there were also those who ventured to the construction sites of socialism – some driven by sincere convictions and the call of the Party, some aiming to support their families left behind in famine-stricken villages, and others seeking adventure and the allure of distant lands.
For Mirachevsky, personal qualities and reliability took precedence over mere professionalism. In expeditions, where close living conditions and harsh circumstances prevailed, trustworthiness became the defining factor.
It was on this particular expedition that he found a steadfast companion. Kirill Alferov, a graduate of the Leningrad Institute of Railway Engineers, was assigned as the second engineer to the party at the last moment. This appointment marked the beginning of a profound friendship. The two young men swiftly bonded over their shared views, approach to life, and even their behavior, often leading outsiders to wonder if they were brothers.
«Well,» Mirachevsky contemplated, standing on a slope and surveying the surroundings, «it appears to be a promising start. We have no supply issues either. It's just a shame the girls won't be able to witness such beauty.»
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