"Of Kings, Queens, and Angels" by Rajnar Vajra

Set at a time when inter-dimensional links have enabled 'angels' to contact humanity and offer their services in return for some minerals, this story follows the trials and tribulations of a cruise captain whose ship sets off on an inter-dimensional tour with paying passengers. Things turn tricky when the angels need to perform miracles to save the ship an inordinate number of times, leading the captain to play the poker game of his life to save the ship. In doing so, he finds out more about who the angels are any why they need humanity and forges a new deal between them. This interesting puzzle story could have been even more interesting if the author could reveal more clues for the reader to guess just what is different about the universe the ship ends up in that would affect the outcome of the poker game.

• Read from Analog SF, July-August 2005 issue