Editing Getting the Band Together (section)

=== '''Gateway and Allies'''===

She pulled out a couple of decks of cards, tarot cards by their size and shape, looking through them. A Trump card was more than a picture—it was a door. Hold it in your hand, focus, and the image became real. Like calling someone on the phone, except you didn’t just hear their voice—you could step into their world. She remembered her introduction to the cards with Lord David. The card grew cold in her hands, the painted image shimmering like water. Slowly, the air around her twisted, colors bleeding together until she could have stepped through—no longer in the Hub of Mandalay, but in a sunlit courtyard of the Dramaturge.

Shadow was vast, infinite in its possibilities, with worlds ranging from medieval kingdoms to high-tech dystopias. Mandalay was just one of them, a central one of balance—her home, a place of green fields and shimmering towers, where wolves roamed as kin.

She looked over her King Random's deck. That would mean calling Dalt directly. She looked over her Green Deck, the deck of her homeland, Mandalay. David would help her, but that was a nuclear option. She considered the wolves of her pack. Dwarf would come if she asked. That was a lot of trouble, but she might need someone to oversee this massive dog problem. There were hundreds of wild dogs in the area. Generations of wild dogs, hungry and hunting. Capturing a dozen was just a start. Dwarf and the triplets could herd them easily.

"Maybe later...." Putting away her Green deck and her King Random's deck.

She thought carefully. Dalt was a nuclear option. David was a nuclear option. Dwarf was a blitzkrieg on his own, and if he brought the triplets, the humans of this world were likely to freak out at the sudden organization of the dog packs in this part of the state.

Raphael, she thought, would probably come himself if it sounded adventurous, but then this would be his show and not hers. She didn’t need the whole guild. But maybe just a couple. Yes, Wrecker and Reggy. Tough, dangerous, creative, and probably willing to listen to her. Doc Len would be too noticeable. Colette, though, would fit in perfectly. Call Rafe and ask.

She concentrated on her magical inscription for the realm of Pocai and opened a contact with Raphael.

"Who?" came the response to her call. "Gadget," she answered.

The voice at the other side of the mystical barrier seemed surprised, "Hey, Gadget! Great to hear from you. Didn’t know you had a Trump for me. So where’ve you been? Whatcha up to?"

She responded. "I don’t have a trump, Rafe. I have an imprint of Pocai. I am.... I have a situation. I have someone who is hurt. I’m in a world that I can’t use magic openly. I need a doctor and maybe some muscle. I was hoping I could borrow Colette and Wrecker and Reggy. The time ratio is favorable to Ang Ri."

"Yeah, Gadget, no problem. Whatever you need. You know you just have to ask. Give me a sec; they’re actually right here with me." Rafe turned to his companions at the Ludus on the world of Ang Ri. "Colette, Wrecker, Reggy; Gadget needs your help, now. Colette; someone’s hurt, get what you need. Wrecker, Reggy; you’re the muscle. She said she can’t use magic openly, so I suggest human forms for the both of you."

He focused back on Gadget. "Can you transport with this Pocai connection? Or do I need to bring them to you?"

"I’m in the King Random Trump Deck and on I’m in an earth world."

Rafe said, "Right. Hang on a sec."

He looked over to Dalt. "Dalt, can I borrow Gadget’s Trump from your KRD? I’ll give it right back."

He was looking over at the trio as they prepared. "She says it’s an earth world; dress and equip accordingly."

Dalt asked, "Can you use Amber trumps?"

"I’m pretty sure I can...? If not, could you contact her and pass these three through? Please and thanks."

He nodded, "Ah... Sure...I suppose."

"Thank you, Dalt. It’s appreciated."

"Is there anything else you need, Gadget? How serious is the situation?"

"It’s a complicated and musical. We all have our favorites. Shadow is filled with them...I’m here to rescue one set of them...and bring them to the Dramaturge eventually."

"Wooow... sounds like a great adventure. Hope it turns
 out well. I look forward to hearing the tale one day. Safe Travels, my Friend. Adventure Abounds. You ready for your support team?"

He looked over to Dalt and the trio to see if they were ready.

Wrecker said, "Were we traded to Cleveland?" As he was putting on his earth boots.

Rafe chuckled. "Don’t think so. Probably just temporary....? But time will tell."

He gave Wrecker a few moments to wonder, then chuckled and said, "She said she’s only going to need you for about a month."

Wreck said, "It’ll be a letdown after the Buffet at the Hall of Water..." He stepped through.

"Everything’s going to be a letdown after that buffet," Rafe said as the portal closed.

Stepping through the portal, the three looked around.

Colette said, "We are not really dressed for it here."

Gadget said, "It’s morning. There is a Walmart about four blocks from here. Here’s about a thousand dollars. Get clothes. Doc, come back here, knock on that blue pipe, and I’ll come to get you. They need stuff. Get some blankets, six sleeping bags. Cheap folding chairs. Medical supplies. Food—bread, peanut butter, jam. Lunch meat for today. Fruit. An ice chest. A bag of cat kibble. These people have been living like wild animals. When they ask, we’ll tell them you’re a friend from home. Leave where vague. I don’t know if they’ll believe me, but they will be grateful for the supplies."

She said, "Runaways? I know the streets. Was on them myself in Chicago as a kid. The charity angle won’t work. Tell them I’m a family friend. I brought this stuff because you called and asked for help. I’ll talk shit about your 'Parents.' I’ll leave off giving you some money. If there is any change."

She nodded and pulled out another thousand. Then decided to give Wrecker and Reggy each a thousand dollars of the money from Wart’s stash.

"Wrecker, Reggy, there is a heavy crime problem here. Take a few days looking the place over and get a sense of things. I have a police contact that can help. When you have a sense of things, let me know, and we’ll decide how to handle it."

She sighed, "Sorry.... It’s good to see you all." She exchanged hugs. Then the three headed off to Walmart, and she went back into the squat.

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Certainly! Below is the continuation of the story, revised to maintain consistent past tense. I'll continue from where we left off, ensuring all tenses are corrected and the narrative flows smoothly.

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