(6 Months Later)

Whirlpool gave his mother a mournful look. He asked her sadly, "Why can't I play with the other dragonets? As much fun as learning is, I want to experiment in applied sociology, and I can't do that until I meet some unexceptional dragons."

Viperfish gave him a sad smile. "Anyone might try to kidnap or kill you, herring. Your father and I have many enemies, and we don't want to put you in danger. It's better you stay away from them until you graduate unarmed combat."

Whirlpool sighed. "I know, but I just wish I had a friend. I've read about them, and they sound really amazing. They would be an invaluable asset."

Viperfish paused, and said, "When you're older. Once we enroll you in school, then you can have friends. They are rather useful under the right circumstances."

Whirlpool nodded, and replied, "They seem to be. If I am correct, they are functionally an investment. You pour in resources initially, but can end up gaining a large profit. Additionally, your friend gains a large profit as well, so it is mutualistic. Rather like clownfish and anemones."

Viperfish affectionately rubbed his dorsal webbed fin. "You'll have friends soon enough, but right now it's much safer if we keep you isolated from everyone. You can study with your father on hydrodynamics theory some more, if that would cheer you up."

Whirlpool's ears picked up at this, and he grinned. "Yay! I wonder if we'll cover the flow of turbulent systems today. I've read about the topic, naturally, but that is one of Father's areas of expertise! I can't wait!"

Viperfish hugged her son tight. "I know, Whirlpool. You are going to be a great dragon one day, and your name will live in legend alongside the queens. You are a scientist at heart, and politics and espionage are just tools to help you. Never forget your goals now, for they can protect you from the corruption that infuses the royal courts."

Whirlpool smiled in a carefree manner. "I know, Mother. I won't let politics get the best of me."

"So, Whirlpool, as you can see, as one increases the water flow on this wheel, it may reverse direction seemingly at random. However, there is a deeper principle at work, namely chaos theory." Isopod was completely amazed at how well his six-month-old son was grasping concepts that had perplexed adults. He was, simply, a genius like no other alive.

Whirlpool peered deeply at the Lorenz wheel. "Perhaps a new method of graphing should be invented for such chaotic systems," he suggested. "It would be very helpful for tracking its speed. Unfortunately, odds are we would have to have a new way to graph in three dimensions."

Isopod beamed at Whirlpool. "That's what I've been thinking for the past three years! Alas, my fellow scientists are currently more interested in cures for diseases than the underlying principles of the world."

Whirlpool scowled. "Fools," he muttered, "so worried about the 'common good' now without thinking of the big picture! It's not that important if a few dragons die now, when this science could save many more later! It's one thing for the commoners and bureaucrats to bother with the short term, but science should be above such petty concerns!"

Isopod gave Whirlpool a sad look. "I know, Whirlpool. But many of the other scientists are much more interested in their personal glory than the advancement of knowledge into new areas."

Whirlpool looked angrily at the wall, thinking hard. "If I were king, I'd demote all the scientists who are just in the field for gain. Those who were both smart and inventive would get promotions, and they would be judged on merit, not popularity."