"Interesting is one way to put it," Ernie replied. It certainly wouldn't be the word he would use. Horrible, terrifying, nauseating...dangerous. Those were all words that seemed more fitting to describe the year. Interesting implied that there was something redeeming about it, and Ernie was fairly sure that wasn't true. He fought very hard to keep his facial expression neutral, to keep the disgusted look off of his face.
He didn't think he succeeded.
"I suspect it's been like it would be in any transitional period. Different than what you expect. A bit more...challenging." He wasn't sure what more he could say about it, especially to Avery. He had keep up appearances and give off the illusion of maintaining a certain level of authority, or he wouldn't be any help at all. Because he had the sinking feeling that if it really came down to it, he didn't have any authority at all. And the last thing he needed was for a member of the IS to realize that.