It's a good thing that Jim doesn't have to try to explain. Even if his thoughts were more coherent at the moment, he's not sure he could articulate just how important Pike has been. The man who talked him into joining Starfleet - outright dared him to enlist. The man who believed in him when no one else did. Who came down on him with harsh criticism when he needed to hear it, no matter how much he hated it, resented it at the time. Jim had never known what it was like to have a father.

And now he's gone.

Jim draws in a deeper breath and lets it out slowly. "Thanks." All anyone can do is offer their condolences, and he has to be content with that. At least they care enough to say something.