The best part about wearing armor...

The wards at the fire base flickered in the night and temporarily dropped as the armored airship entered the air space above it. Then just as quickly they flashed back into existence. Ground crews directed the somewhat lumbering ship to one of the many landing pads that had been laid down at this remote base. The craft lit the pad with its spotlights as it was directed down by a ground crew with glow wands. As it got closer to the ground its levitators and maneuvering motors stirred up clouds of sand and dust. With a growl from the craft's power plant it ponderously settled down on it landing jacks.

After a few seconds the back cargo ramp lowered with a dull metallic thud onto the landing pad. A platoon mixed species forces came plodding down the ramp as the airship started shutting down. Some of them were obviously nursing injured limbs, but the important part was that the whole platoon was there. Without being told they formed up ranks at ease. Last down the ramp was Midnight Strider. A dark Navy Blue alicorn stallion.

The alicorn tossed his helmet to a waiting ground crew and slowly, but with a purposeful stride, he walked until he was standing in front of the troops. He waited until the sergeant had finished taking roll call again before addressing them.

"Troopers. Well done! We had ourselves quite the brawl tonight, but you all performed admirably." He made a slow scan of their faces and then he glanced down at his wrist watch. "It is currently 21:30. Get yourselves into the showers, and then grab a hot meal at the Mess Hall before it closes. Any of you with injuries head over the Base Infirmary and have them looked at. There will be an equipment inspection and an after action debriefing tomorrow at 07:00. Dismissed!"

As he watched them leave the senior sergeant came walking over and handed Midnight a drink bottle. "That was quite a fight we had tonight sir."

The alicorn nodded his as he watched his forces disappeared into the shadows of the base. "Yes it was. A close call in spots. But we finished the mission and brought them all back walking."

With his forces no longer around his very crisp, precise mannerisms faded a bit and he slumped some as he took a long chug from the drink bottle. At the same time he started loosing the latches on the right side of his upper body armor. He removed it revealing a sweat soaked white tank top with his cutie mark emblazoned on it. With the armor removed he sighed.

"I know this new armor incorporates the latest in developments wearer protection and comfort, but it's still true as it was a thousand years ago. The best part of wearing armor is taking it off!"

A recently finished commission for LordTyranicus. The text I posted with this art is in no way connected to any official part of the character's background or history. It's just what popped up in my head as I worked on the piece.