The isolation and "mentoring into competence" are more obvious plot structures guided by the setting and its internal rules when one remembers that the Primer w

The isolation and "mentoring into competence" are more obvious plot structures guided by the setting and its internal rules when one remembers that the Primer was not supposed to be used by Nell - a low-income "nobody". It was a tool for rich heiress to be trained for operation on the level expected from one in remarkably bloodthirsty ultracapitalist setting, and only ends up in hands of unprivileged kid by accident of a crime compounding another crime. It was preparing someone to be in position of authority through inheritance and safeguarding that they will have the knowledge and skills to keep it.