This One Problem

"This One Problem" by M. C. Pease is a science fiction story unfolding amid the dangerous asteroid belts of the Solar System, where cutthroat pirates threaten a fragile society. The tale centers on the experiences of Marc Polder, a clever company man, who finds himself in the crosshairs of the ruthless pirate John Mantor on the isolated rock of Torran. As Mantor sets his sights on a vulnerable Navy warehouse, Marc is forced to use his brains, not brawn, to protect what is his, while also trying to bridge the divide between his pragmatism and the idealism of his assistant, Lee Treynor. Navigating treacherous moral ground, Marc hatches a daring scheme to outwit the pirates, leading to a startling climax that questions the very definition of heroism.