Crescendo of Polaris

1.
The ancient legends talk of a monster that lured ships in to be the dashed against the rocks using it's beautiful singing voice.
That creature was called a "Siren", an existence that endangered all who ventured into the sea.
To combat such an existence people came up with various countermeasures.
--Orpheus of the Argonauts drowned out the Siren's voice with the music from his Lyre.
--During the age of the great voyages across the oceans people sang prayer "songs" infront of the beautiful goddess idol adorned bows of the ships.
--In time such idols led to the creation of the concept of "Idols" in Iris and Sardenga, sometimes viewed as objects of faith and sometimes appreciated as art.
--Such traditions have been passed down the generations, evolving and changing due the passage of time and the challenges presented by various forces.
--A 'Musical Tradition" had been developed and nurtured by the Royal Navy's military band for a long time, and similar traditions have developed in the Ironblood, Sardenga and Union navies too.
--Such concepts of "Idols" reached the Sakura empires shores via it's contacts with the Iris, leading to the creation of an unique "IDOL" culture. Said culture began making waves around the world as one of the cultural symbols of the Sakura Empire alongside things like "ninjas".
Thus, in our quest to develop countermeasures against the "Sirens", we have developed a brand new weapon via the fusion of said traditions -"Music"- with our ships outfits, incorporating said advancements into a new rigging system.
A new "Azur Lane" weapon to surpass the threat of the "Sirens", it's name is--
"μ(Mu) armament"
Said "μ armament" system is about to begin it's final stage of testing--

???:...And, I think that's enough exposition, nyaa.

Weapons Testing Facility(?)

Akashi: Nya~ Nya~, mic check mic check
Akashi: Participants of the ["μ armament" Final Test] live concert, kept you waiting, nya!
Akashi: I -Akashi- is in charge of collecting weapon test data and the MC of the Live event! Nyace to meet you!
Akashi: First of all, for those of you who are wondering "What is μ armament?" I will be giving a short explanation again nya.
Akashi: In short, "μ armament" is a new rigging/outfit system incorporating "Musical" elements discovered by our R&Ds upper management.
Akashi: I have no idea why "Music" of all things were chosen but when I looked into it I found lots of surprising avenues for development - so I decided to carry out a live performance testing like this!
Akashi: Why a Live show? That's because...
Akashi: Because it's about music! And it's about girls! Live is just the what happens when you combine the two, nya!
Akashi: And, just see how enthusiastic everyone is getting, the Live show is going to be a success!
Akashi: And Yuubari told me "I have seen them fight and sing in anime, it will be fine".
Akashi: And such a "Money Making Opportunity" shouldn't be just waste..wait, shouldn't be exploited! Yeah, that's what I meant!
Enterprise: To sum up, we have formed a group called "Polaris" with randomly chosen girls from various factions to test out "μ armament" via a live show...
Saratoga: So it's a Live Show Battle Performance! I got it!
Enterprise: I don't get this Live battle thing but I am seeing lots of girls wearing "Idol" outfits around here in addition to the "μ armament" girls
Lexington: That's right~ Everyone is getting in the mood for the show...
Enterprise: Hah...I don't get it...
Cleveland(μ armament): Yeaa! "μ armament testing unit Polaris" - we will do our best!
Gascogne(μ armament): Weapons testing protocol initiated. Permission received for μ Weapons testing.
Hipper(μ armament): Huh...just end this already...
Akagi(μ armament): (This is the final test...I wonder if it will produce the result I desire..)
Sheffield(μ armament): The start was rough and there is no cohesion. Where did the harmony we had during practice go?
Cleveland(μ armament): W-well, it's the first time we did it live..Gascogne, give the cue for us to start!
Gascogne(μ armament): Command acknowledged. Operation, start.

2.
Akashi: That's why we have come to the designated Sea area so quickly!
Akashi: It's about time we start the "Fight girls from various factions and test the weapons" operation!
Akashi: Actually, in addition to the typical weapons test I want you to do 2 side experiments!
Akashi: First, the more enemies you destroy in battle the more activated your riggings will become! I need you to check the upper limits of this!
Akashi: We named it the "Combo System", nya!
Akashi: In short, the more you win the more combo you accumulate.
Cleveland(μ armament): On the other hand, losing any battle resets it to 0!
Akashi: That's right! Your second objective is to "Sing and Fight"!
Akashi: One of the features of the "μ armament" is that it produces various effects in a wide area around the lead performer!
Hipper(μ armament): Lead performer?
Akashi: I told you already nya. You will sing while fighting. So, there will be a lead performer among you.
Akagi(μ armament): Ahh, I really wanted to be the leader singer in all the stages but I guess that's asking for too much.
Akagi(μ armament): We are doing this for the benefit of our "Azur Lane" in the first place, I will endure it until the end.
Hipper(μ armament): Huh? If you wanna sing so much just do it all yourself then.
Sheffield(μ armament): That won't to, we need to test all the "μ armament"s.
Gascogne(μ armament): This also serves as a performance for maître, I understand the purpose.
Cleveland(μ armament): Anyway! For each area we need to choose a lead performer!
Cleveland(μ armament): Who wants to go first--!
Everyone: ...
Cleveland(μ armament): I guess it can't be helped! Then I will go first! Akashi, is that okay?
Akashi: Anyone has any objections? No? Seems like no problems, nya! Then, let's start the experiment!

3.
Ning Hai: "Dragon Empery sisters, time to perform!"..ok, I need to calm down, calm down...
Ping Hai: Nee-chan, I am hungry...can I eat something first?
Ning Hai: Ping Hai, please hold it together for bit longer! I promise to feed you buns until you are full if this live is a success!
Ping Hai: Until I am full..Ping Hai, will be giving my best!
Ning Hai: That's right! We have to give our best performance here as...!
Ning Hai: (We are representing everyone back home, we can't let them down and disgrace them infront of the world!)
Ping Hai: Nee-chan, the "Polaris" have arrived!
Cleveland(μ armament): You girls are...um -if I remember correctly- are known as the "Dragon Empery sisters"?
Ning Hai: Welcome, everyone from "Polaris"! Now, let us battle!
Hipper(μ armament): Yeah yeah, let's get this "job" out of the way...
Hipper(μ armament): Give me your very best, Dragon Empery sisters!
Hipper(μ armament): You will regret it if you underestimate the power of us "Polaris" and our "μ armament"!

4.
Laffey: Laffey, sleepy...I want to go home now...
Javelin: Ehhh!? We just got here! Get it together, Laffey-chan!
Javelin: Ah! We have arrived at the testing area!
Ning Hai: "μ armament" were surprisingly strong...
Ping Hai: Nee-chan, hold it together..!
Javelin: Uaaa...the rumors about the new weapons were not exaggeration it seems...
Javelin: But Javelin won't lose to anyone! Whether it's the stage or the battlefield I will show my brilliance!
Ning Hai: That's the spirit, Javelin!
Javelin: Ehehe, thanks! Hey, it's your turn, Laffey-chan!
Laffey: ..It's laffey...they told me come here...
Laffey: I have to do my best as a Rabbit star idol...uh, I don't think I can do my best now...
Cleveland(μ armament): Laffey, could you speak a bit louder and give them a proper greeting? The commander is watching, you know~
Laffey: Laffey, will be doing my best...! Motivated..!
Sheffield(μ armament): Such an uncharacteristically motivated face on Laffey makes her rather attractive too.
Ping Hai: We sisters will cheer you on too!
Javelin: Let's shine brilliantly together, everyone!
Cleveland(μ armament): Yeaa! Now, let's hit each other with all our might!


5. Polaris I
The cheering group.

Fu Shun: Ahh, Ning and Ping Hai were amazing up there~ It's the first time I have seen a live performance, I feel like I am dreaming~
Chang Chun: Well, it sure is a live that makes dreams come true.
An Shan: With that said, those two seem to be giving their all for this...seeing them work so hard made me feel kind of bad for them
Fu Shun: Change Chun, should I put my signature on lots of merch now just in case I make it big like them one day?
Tai Yuan: Fu Shun-nee-san, you are thinking too far ahead...
Tai Yuan: Also, trying to go into merchandising just because you made a signature is a bit...
Fu Shun: Nothing ventured nothing gained, don't worry about it! I bet Ning Hai can tell me how to sell my signatures from personal experience now!
Yat Sen: I never imagined the Dragon Sisters would be taking such an active role in this kind of world-wide event one day...
An Shan: Yat Sen-san...?
Yat Sen: Instead of being just a tool of war they are shining on the  stage as Idols and winning over everyone's hearts...
Yat Sen: To be honest, it feels like a dream.
Gascogne(μ armament): Singing operation and weapons testing, completed.
Cleveland(μ armament): Hehe, things sure got exciting! But it's time to win this match!
Akashi: From the very first match things are getting heated up, nya!
Akashi: I can almost feel the heat spreading to the 4 corners of the oceans, nya!
Javelin: I didn't win, but giving a good performance for commander and everyone else made the effort worthwhile!
Laffey: Posing like actually won...
Ping Hai: Nee-chan, Anshan and others have come to see us!
Ning Hai: E-everyone--!
Meanwhile, after the conclusion of the first test(live) Akagi was staring quietly at her μ armament.

Akagi(μ armament): ( "The Power of Emotions"...That's the "μ armament"s...)
Hipper(μ armament): Akagi? What's wrong?
Akagi(μ armament): It's nothing to worry about. Let's move to the next area.
Sheffield(μ armament): ...
Gascogne(μ armament): "Emotions"... everyone's "Feelings"...

6. The Witch Idol Enters!
Weapons Testing Area

Akashi: This live won't be ending anyaatime soon so I hope you girls have been taking regular breaks!
Akashi: Even though the weapons test is the main objective everyone should enjoy the live too nya!
Akashi: We will be getting briefed on the next area by -- Saratoga-chan from the union!
Saratoga: Witch Idol Saratoga-chan, entering!
Saratoga: Whether it's the battlefield or the stage Saratoga's magic is equally dazzles☆ Have fun everyone♪
Saratoga: Honestly, I wanted nee-chan to perform with me but the Forbidden Double Lexington technique might have been too much even for the new weapons!
Saratoga: That's why we will be having Saratoga-chan's solo performance today...
Saratoga: Actually no! Niimi-chan from the Ironblood and Ayanami-chan from the Sakura will also appear!
Saratoga: Saratoga-chan will thoroughly check the power of these new "μ armament"s♪
Saratoga: Ah, Lexington nee-chan is in the audience too, have fun♪
Akashi: As expected of a professional idol, her presentation and form is perfect nya!
Saratoga: Fufufu, is it okay to start the show now?
Saratoga: --Then, start the live!

Gascogne(μ armament): After Aircraft Carrier Saratoga's speech I am picking up a change in the "motivation" of friendly and enemy forces.
Hipper(μ armament): That's why I told them to not let any pros in... putting aside her combat prowess, getting outdone in the live stage would not reflect well on us.
Sheffield(μ armament): True, but fighting and singing is not all there is to it.
Gascogne(μ armament): Sheffield..?
Cleveland(μ armament): Do you have an ace up your sleeve?
Akagi(μ armament): Just what do you want to do?
Sheffield(μ armament): When the opponent is overwhelming you--
Sheffield gripped the microphones hard.
Sheffield(μ armament): It's better to undermine your enemies efforts, than to strengthen yours.

7. Polaris II

Dewey: Polaris, Saratoga-san, do your best!
Aylwin: Dewey, your skirt!
Dewey: Kyaah! Ahh-ah, I am s-sorry, I got a bit too excited and was careless.
Aylwin: Don't worry about it, everyone else is excited and showing their support just like you!
Dewey: Ok..! Having Lexington-san with us makes me feel like I can give my very best!
Aylwin: Ahh...I want to dance on that stage too...

Hipper(μ armament): Anyway, I have been meaning to ask this since we started practicing - why did we get selected for "Polaris"?
Sheffield(μ armament): ..? What do you mean.
Hipper(μ armament): This is supposed to be an Idol fleet, right?.. we have lots of musically inclined people in the base but in our group none other than me is versed in music.
Cleveland(μ armament): You are right about that...I did hear something about the selection being randomly done
Gascogne(μ armament): Gascogne has the ability to replace the action mode according to current conditions, which is very suitable for the performance test of the new weapon.
Gascogne(μ armament): In addition to the vocals, I can change my tone and range via to the keel micro-adjustment, which is beneficial for both music and weapons testing
Hipper(μ armament): ...Not sure if I follow, aren't you just being your usual self?
Hipper(μ armament): Well, I am not a pro in this field like Bismarck, I can only speculate.
Akagi(μ armament): Alright alright, enough of that talk.
Akagi(μ armament): Although we are involved in the testing we don't have the clearance to inquire into the selection process.
Akagi(μ armament): I don't know what these "μ armaments" are or how "Polaris" members were chosen, I do think whether we get along together or not is one of the things that is being tested.
Sheffield(μ armament): In short, our only choice is to continue as we are, right.
Akagi(μ armament): That's right. Now, let's finish this experiment, shall we?
Akagi(μ armament): ( Let's see if we Kansen can harness the true power of these "μ armaments"...)

24. Observation
???: "Orpheus played his Lyre, the beautiful tune mesmerized the Sirens, thus they forgot to sing"
???: "What  a beautiful fairy tale it is"
???: "The 'Sirens' threatened the 'Ships', to protect them 'Humans" resorted to the power of music--"
???: "Well, it's not really the ships that were in danger, it was the sailors who were mesmerized and drawn in by their songs"
???: "If you want to protect the ship, wouldn't it be more effective to just 'tie the people' to ship like Odysseus did?"
???: "Anyway, enough thoughts on this matter"
???: "What happened here is just an unrelated small story to the bigger conflict. Just an insignificant small chapter"
???: "Why not keep watching over those girls if that is what you truly want?"