"You seem unsurprised to meet a different version of your first officer and best friend." There's amusement in his voice, light but recognizably present. Number One had advised him to hide certain parts of himself if he wants a command and it is something he has worked on, but he can admit that he is not fully there. He is more expressive than people expect a Vulcan to be, but not expressive enough to seem human. He's still climbing his way out of that uncanny valley between the two. It's almost funny that he needs to be more Vulcan for humans to accept him.

"And you know Captain Pike or some version of him, as well."

He does not comment on being called brilliant. His capability and intelligence are not something he tends to question and he is not so prideful as to need to be complimented about it. However, he does not mind the compliment.