The police try to arrest expert hostage negotiator Danny Roman, who insists he's being framed for his partner's murder in what he believes is an elaborate conspiracy. Thinking there's evidence in the Internal Affairs offices that might clear him, he takes everyone in the office hostage and demands that another well-known negotiator be brought in to handle the situation and secretly investigate the conspiracy.

Not long after they cross paths at an art gallery, Ray Reardon, an architect, and hypnotically sensual Lena are married with children. Only then does Ray catch his wife in escalating lies, which leads him to find out that Lena's past is invented and that she has been manipulating him ever since their first "chance" meeting.

Set in the future, the story follows a young soldier named Johnny Rico and his exploits in the Mobile Infantry. Rico's military career progresses from recruit to non-commissioned officer and finally to officer against the backdrop of an interstellar war between mankind and an arachnoid species known as "the Bugs".

In a desperate attempt to prove his innocence, a skilled police negotiator accused of corruption and murder takes hostages in a government office to gain the time he needs to find the truth.

A wife and mother is sent to prison for a monetary crime. Against the advice of her husband, she tries to raise awareness of the corruption going on there.