question:  Rather than protecting Martin from Conrad, over the years, the descendants
context: Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.] 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. "He's dissatisfied with the current social order and killing you is part of an elaborate plan he's formulated to change it. 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. The non-glass part of the house was of neat, natural-toned wood, with a neat green lawn in front and a neat parti-colored garden in back. It was then that Martin began to realize that either the whole lot of them were insane, or what Ninian had told him at first was the truth. When Martin was sixteen, Raymond took him aside for the talk Ninian had promised five years before. "And Conrad really got upset over the way Earth has been exploiting the not so intelligent life-forms on the other planets," Raymond continued. And, on those worlds, it's far cheaper to use native labor than to ship out all that expensive machinery. I don't mean in the now for me, but the now for you," Martin explained laboriously. "I'm trying to talk to you as if you were an adult," Raymond said, "but if you will persist in these childish interruptions—" "I'm sorry," Martin said. But he wasn't, for by now he had little respect left for any of his descendants. Perhaps a great-grandfather is responsible for his great-grandchildren, but a great-grandchild can hardly be held accountable for his great-grandfather."
output:  seem to dull Martin's initially-sharp ability to be perceptive and instinctual.
options:  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.