Hello there! This is my first fanfic, so do please review so I know how I'm doing! I hope to update weekly, depending on school commitments. Enjoy!
~This chapter has been edited slightly to allow for future plotpoints~
After the battle of New York and the events in London, the Avengers made a deal with the US government. To join a top-secret, government funded think tank, pooling resources and expertise to build a fleet of vessels to protect the Earth from alien attack, using and improving alien technology. Tony Stark threw all his time and effort into the project; improving on and stabilising the arc reactor technology, developing weapons for the vacuum of space, and a JARVIS-like computer system able to logistically run large spaceships. The first ship was of Stark's design, sent off with a skeleton crew, pursuing signals being transmitted from deep space.
Starfleet was born. First contact with Vulcan years later led to further improvements and vast knowledge of previously unexplored space. Collaborations with the Vulcan Science Academy brought unforeseen technological advancements to Earth, enabling the human race to travel further and faster than ever imagined. Having spent so much of his time on the project, Tony Stark took an extended vacation- to marry Pepper Potts and raise a family. On the eve of Starfleet's fifth birthday, the Starks' daughter arrived. Raised by the Avengers and surrounded by Vulcans working with her father, Rosalina Stark was never going to be anything but brilliant. She excelled academically, her parents withdrawing her from education at age 8 to be home schooled. Black Widow and Hawkeye were Aunt Natasha and Uncle Clint, teaching her all there was to know about weapons and combat. Uncle Steve taught history, Pepper allowing her daughter to assist with Stark Industries' accounts. But Bruce was her favourite. Science fascinated her, and the young girl brought out Banner's softer side. It was assumed by all who knew her, and indeed the general public, believed she would enter the Starfleet Academy and become a Science officer.
However, a spanner was thrown into the works in the form of the S'chn T'gai family. Ambassador Sarek's wife Amanda had been good friends with Pepper in high school and brought her son Spock for play-dates whenever they were on planet. Rosalina and Spock became fast friends, building various robots and miniature warp engines in Tony's home workshop. When Spock's studies started to keep him on Vulcan, the pair kept regular communication, discussing scientific theories and practicing for Rosalina's self-imposed Xenolinguistics exams. Their mothers spoke about their blossoming friendship and their respective husband's long work hours. As the years went by and Starfleet enrolment date loomed, Rosalina threw herself into her studies, locked in her room for days on end, replicating coffee and high energy foods. As Pepper became increasingly worried, both her husband and JARVIS convinced her all was well. It was on a rainy Saturday in Malibu that the cause of her hermit-like behaviour was revealed.
Sat across the table from one another, both Tony and Pepper were equally surprised when their now 18 year old daughter walked into the room, Padd and replicator hamburger in hand, and sat down with them.
"So, how goes your latest project?" Tony chimed before taking a mouthful of fries from the bowl in front of him.
"Excellent. Perfectly on schedule and to a better quality than either of us initially foresaw" she replied bluntly.
Pepper looked to her husband suspiciously. "Us? I thought you didn't know anything about it, Tony?"
"I don't love. I assume you mean Spock, Rose?"
"Indeed." Lifting her eyes from the Padd, she continued. "As you named me Rosalina, would you possibly struggle all the way to the end? It would be greatly appreciated."
Tony looked to his wife, then his daughter, eyebrows raised. "Excuse me?"
"I meant no offence, father. I was merely stating my preference that you refer to me not by a nickname, but the one assigned to me at birth" Rosalina replied calmly. "I came down as I require your signatures for my university application."
"I thought you already got an acceptance from MIT sweetheart? Your father has been talking to the dean about you doing two degrees…"
"I do not intend to go there, mother. My preference is to attend the Vulcan Science Academy. Spock has agreed to aid me in the application process, and the ambassador is pulling some strings for me." Adopting a serious look, she stood to leave.
Having shocked both her parents into silence- a feat in itself, Rosalina allowed herself a small smile as she turned to face the stairs. Another call with Spock had been scheduled for 1800 hours, and she had to read through her cover letter again. Anything other than perfection would be unacceptable. She did not intend to fail.
Relatively fast paced to introduce the characters- future chapters will be much longer. Please review if you enjoyed the story, and thank you for reading!