Good points on the precise use of time elements. The biggest frustration I have had with this story is that it wants to be longer. I had to trim it down and focus on basic elements. One thing I did discover, writing a AAR makes it very easy to write active voice. Instead of restructuring sentences I just delete passive verbs. That made things easier. Then the interview drifted into passive voice, but I though that was appropiate for it, and I guess you agreed. At least you did not comment about it.

As for the arrogance part, that is where I run into a problem. In oreder to develop the pirates arrogance I start to lose focus and drift into way to many words. Not saying it cannot be done, just that I am having difficulty with it.

The way this story is looking, I see this as a chapter of a longer story. I will need and introduction to establish the legend of the Phoenix, and then move into this.