Yeah! It's such a great cheat! Don't want to write the tedious conversation about that thing that happened on the mission on the planet? Just imply that the conversation happened and move on! :D However, that's also what makes me worry that I have glossed over things. I can't ask the reader to do all the work...

I am glad it is not drivel. :) I think we have a difference in personality on this point. I usually think it's drivel while I'm writing it, but when I come back to it a while later I go, hmmm. OK. I can work with this. You obviously run with your first impression. Man. Arena would NEVER have gotten posted if I ran with my first impressions. Jeez, every single chapter of that sucker was like pulling teeth.