Publishers pay for short fiction. This includes traditional book publishers when they are putting out an anthology of short stories, as well as magazine publishers. Some literary journals also pay for short fiction.
In many cases, the one who initiates or organizes the pirate feast is responsible for the payment. Sometimes, it might be a shared cost among the pirates. It all varies based on the story's details.
Often, it depends on the platform or publication. Some websites or literary magazines might cover the costs themselves, while in other cases, authors might have to pay for submission or publication fees.
Some contests offer cash prizes for winning short stories. Also, authors can sometimes get paid by companies or organizations that commission specific stories for marketing or educational purposes.
Some law firms or lawyers would provide a service model of "recover first and pay later". Under this model, the law firm or the lawyer's association would first carry out the work, and after successfully recovering the money, they would collect the fees according to the agreed ratio. If the money was not successfully recovered, no fee would be charged. This service model could help the victim recover their losses, but the specific fee ratio and conditions may vary from law firm to lawyer. If you need this service, it is recommended to consult a lawyer for detailed information.
Authors themselves might pay for the production and publication of their science fiction short stories if they choose to self-publish and have the financial means to do so.