"It's weird being at this place again," Paul remarked.
"How is that?" Burnham asked.
"I visited here in a dream," Paul said. "you gave a speech about fear." he looked over toward the woman. "A good one."
"Medal of honor," Burnham said. "Who would have thought," the smallest of a smile grew on her face then it vanished. "I did not believe I would get another medal in my collection."
Paul looked over in curiosity toward the first officer.
"Just how many medals did you get with your time on the Shenzhou?" Paul asked.
"It is too flattering to tell," Burnham said. "Medals are not everything, Commander Stamets."
"Yeah, they are," Paul said.
"I declined promotion," Burnham said.
"What?" Paul asked. "Why?"
"Earning a promotion to captaincy during a ending war is not wise for someone like me," Burnham said. "It doesn't feel like it has been properly earned."
"No one says no to Starfleet command when it come to captaincy," Paul said, noticing the beaming look in her eyes.
"I did," Burnham said. "Admiral Georgiou made sure my request was respected."
Burnham was radiating in hope and optimism.
Where had that gone in his universe?