 Rather than protecting Martin from Conrad, over the years, the descendants
No one, least of all Martin, could dispute that a man's life should be guarded by his kin—but by those who hadn't been born yet? Nobody in the neighborhood was surprised when Martin's mother disappeared and Ninian came to take care of him. Martin was told to call him Uncle Raymond. From time to time, there were other visitors—Uncles Ives and Bartholomew and Olaf, Aunts Ottillie and Grania and Lalage, and many more—all cousins to one another, he was told, all descendants of his. When Martin was sixteen, Raymond took him aside for the talk Ninian had promised five years before. And, on those worlds, it's far cheaper to use native labor than to ship out all that expensive machinery.
 seem to dull Martin's initially-sharp ability to be perceptive and instinctual.
 force Martin to abandon his way of life in favor of theirs, as he realizes how "good" they do have it in the future.  seem to dull Martin's initially-sharp ability to be perceptive and instinctual.  solely ingratiate Martin to the ways of future life, ensuring he will embrace their ideals.  do nothing other than wave a flag for Conrad to know where to attack upon his entry.