Chapter 28 : A Genius and a Ghost

Stark Tower, 1992

The lab inside Stark Tower was a chaotic blend of brilliance and barely contained disaster. Half-finished projects littered the workbenches, their components scattered across the tables like the remnants of an engineering battlefield. The hum of machinery filled the air, punctuated by the occasional crackle of an exposed wire or the sharp clink of a tool being tossed aside in frustration.

At the heart of the chaos, Antonia "Toni" Stark sat cross-legged on the lab bench, her sleeves rolled up, a grease stain smudged across her cheek. She tapped a screwdriver rhythmically against her palm, glaring at the small energy cell in front of her.

Across from her, Alex Rogers leaned casually against the workbench, arms folded, watching with mild amusement as she scowled at the device like it had personally insulted her.

"Hey, fossil," Toni grumbled, reaching for her notebook. "Move your hand. You're blocking my calculations."

Alex smirked but didn't move. Instead, he reached over and flicked her forehead lightly.

"Ow!" She swatted at his hand, scowling. "What the hell was that for?"

"For calling me a fossil," Alex said, grinning. "I'm barely sixty."

"Yeah, and yet you act like you invented fire."

Alex chuckled. "You're lucky I have infinite patience for bratty geniuses."

Toni huffed but didn't argue, instead shifting forward until she was nearly in his personal space. She grabbed his wrist, her fingers lingering against his skin just a little longer than necessary, and yanked his hand off her notebook.

"There. Problem solved."

Alex raised an eyebrow at her , but she just smirked, spinning her screwdriver between her fingers.

She was always like this with him. Active, teasing, a little too touchy for someone who pretended not to care. Not that Alex minded. Toni had inherited her father's arrogance and genius, but she had none of Howard's emotional detachment. If anything, she sought out contact when she was frustrated, as if grounding herself on someone helped clear her mind.

She leaned against his arm now, peering at the small energy cell that refused to function properly. "I don't get it. The theory is solid, but the energy distribution keeps destabilizing. Why?"

Alex plucked the device from her hands, rolling it between his fingers as he examined it. His enhanced senses picked up the faint pulsing of unstable energy inside.

"Too much raw power at once," he mused. "You're forcing it when you should be guiding it."

Toni wrinkled her nose. "That's what I said—"

"No, you said the theory was solid." Alex shot her a knowing look. "You're smart, kid, but you've got Howard's bad habit of overcomplicating things."

She pouted slightly, pressing her shoulder against his, as if trying to annoy him into backing down. "And what's your solution, wise old master?"

Alex handed the cell back. "Try adjusting the output regulator—gradually increase the power instead of hitting it all at once."

Toni took the device, muttering, "If this works, I'm calling you a wizard."

Alex smirked. "I prefer 'handsome genius,' but wizard works too."

Toni rolled her eyes but didn't pull away from him. Instead, she fiddled with the settings, her fingers brushing against his as they both worked on the tiny device. She had no sense of personal space—but again, Alex didn't mind.

After a few moments, she activated the cell again. This time, instead of an unstable surge, the glow stabilized, humming softly in her palm.

Toni's eyes widened. "No way."

Alex smirked. "Yes Way."

She looked up at him, a mixture of awe and irritation. Then, before he could react, she wrapped her arms around his neck in a quick, impulsive hug.

Alex blinked. "Wow, affection? Is the world ending?"

"Shut up," she mumbled against his shoulder before pulling back, her hands still resting on his shoulder. "I hate that you were right."

Alex grinned. "Get used to it."

Toni huffed but didn't move away, still lingering close. "You know, I bet if we had another decade, we could actually perfect the arc reactor design. You and me, partners in crime."

Alex tilted his head. "Trying to recruit me already?"

Toni smirked. "I don't recruit. I steal the best minds."

Alex chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, as long as I get paid in coffee and sarcastic remarks, I'll consider it."

Toni playfully flicked his nose, grinning. "Deal."

With Alex Rogers as Toni Stark's guardian and mentor, Stark Industries never faced the slow decline that had begun in the original timeline after Howard Stark's death. Instead, under Alex's guidance—and with the cutting-edge inventions he provided through Sophia (formerly Great Sage)—the company expanded beyond just weapons manufacturing, transforming into a global technological powerhouse.

Diversified Industries

Rather than keeping Stark Industries tethered solely to military contracts and weapons manufacturing, Alex ensured that the company diversified into multiple fields, including:

Advanced Energy Research – Building on Howard Stark's work, Stark Industries pushed forward in clean energy solutions, including arc reactor technology, fusion energy research, and advanced battery storage. By the late 1990s, Stark Industries was already revolutionizing the power industry—a development that prevented the oil crisis from being as devastating as in the original timeline.

Medical Technology & Biotechnology – With Alex's access to Sophia's vast analytical abilities, Stark Industries made massive strides in medical advancements. From revolutionary prosthetics (years ahead of their time) to breakthroughs in cancer treatment, the company became a leader in biotechnology, investing heavily in projects aimed at enhancing human health and longevity.

Aerospace & Space Exploration – With the growing interest in space travel, Stark Industries invested heavily in aerospace engineering. By the mid-1990s, Stark-developed spacecraft were already being tested for deep-space travel. Alex, ever mindful of future threats, ensured the development of early orbital defense technologies, creating the foundation for future planetary defense systems that would later prove crucial against extraterrestrial threats.

Artificial Intelligence & Robotics – Decades ahead of what should have been possible, Stark Industries' AI research flourished, thanks to Alex's oversight and Sophia's insights. With highly advanced AI-driven automation, Stark Industries' robotics division became the most advanced in the world. Alex made sure that no AI was designed to be fully autonomous—avoiding the dangers of rogue intelligence like Ultron. Instead, AI and robotic assistants were kept within strict, fail-safe protocols.

Computing & Telecommunications – By the late 1990s, Stark Industries was already pioneering early supercomputers, advanced networking systems, and digital communication platforms. While the internet was still in its infancy, Stark Industries had already developed secure, high-speed data-sharing networks, laying the foundation for future global communication systems.

Civil Engineering & Smart Cities – Recognizing the potential for improving everyday life, Stark Industries expanded into civil engineering. By integrating AI-driven infrastructure, self-sustaining power grids, and automated city planning, Stark-developed smart cities were already in early phases of construction—long before the concept became mainstream.

Stark Industries' Rapid Growth

Unlike in the original timeline, where Howard Stark's death led to internal conflicts among Stark Industries' higher-ups, Alex's presence ensured absolute stability within the company. With him acting as Toni's guardian, no power struggles ever took place.

Additionally, Alex personally eliminated Obadiah Stane before he could attempt to seize control of the company. While the public narrative painted Stane's death as a heart attack, in reality, Alex had ensured the man never had the chance to betray the Stark family.

With Alex providing groundbreaking inventions—concepts developed by Sophia—Stark Industries entered an era of rapid technological advancement, outpacing every competitor in the world.

By the late 1990s, Stark Industries was no longer just a defense contractor—it was the leading technological empire on the planet.