Act of Shepard
"We've decided to write off the entire event as an A.O.S.," Councilor Udina announced, tugging at his collar and wondering when the keepers were going to be able to get the environmental controls back to normal.
Anderson turned slowly, arching an eyebrow as he looked at the other man. "A what?"
"It was suggested by the new Turian councilor. Any amount of damage that exceeds 'normal' costs to repair, any hint of explosives, any destruction not caused by nature is now deemed an 'Act of Shepard'."
"Did you just air quote the word normal," the former Alliance captain asked, floored. He wasn't certain he understood what he was hearing. "Are you saying that the wall of fire that generated from the galactic core is being justified as an Act of Shepard, now? Why? We don't even have proof that Shepard was in the area?"
"There is no proof that she wasn't, either."
"It originated from the galactic CORE. I would say that is proof enough. Can't you just call it 'act of God' like any normal government or insurance agency would?"
"I did attempt to mention that, however before I ever stepped into the room they'd decided that this new hysteria was Shepard's fault. I suppose it comes from her letting the first council die instead of saving them." Udina shook his head.
A beep from his private terminal announced that there was a new message. Anderson opened it and stared for a long moment. "Okay, that woman is a ball of destruction given human form," he muttered, reading the message.
"What are you talking about?"
The former captain looked up and smiled. "Anderson," he read. "Took the fight to the Collectors. Base was in the galactic core. Told the Illusive Man to sit on the business end of a missile launcher. Blew up the base. Sorry about the aftermath. Commander Shepard."
Udina just stared at Anderson. "Shepard committed genocide on yet another race?"
"Well, she did promise to stop the collector attacks..." He laughed, shaking his head. "I guess it really was an act of Shepard."