When a kingdom sends ships and men to the islands it is to capture the natives and enslave their way of life. Only it is not the first time and even a fish farmer knows how to sink large ships.
Needful Things (inspired by Stephen King's story) is in fact three short stories unrelated except they all involve customers of an old antique shop. In the first story, middle-aged Amelia Pennington purchases an ancient love charm. The second features fourteen year old Danny who just wants the funds to take a pretty girl to the cinema but gets a lot more than he expected. In the third story young teacher, Anne Dawkins simply wants to restore order in the classroom.
The son of a famous holo vid star walks away and must find a new home and make a living. A chance meeting with a homeless girl leads to more than friendship. It also helps him find his way and create a future hunting those with a bounty. When terrorist take his mother hostage it is time to call in favors and take action.
A Chastened, Florida Story Jim & Nora prowl the town looking for action and find it in 16 year old Ulla walking through the rain in her Daisy Dukes. Torrid sex follows.
Jack Harbinger is a boy with an unusual congenital defect that plagues him as he grows up. This is the story of how he copes with the problem and eventually conquers it. The story begins with Jack's early childhood and ends when he and his wife enter college. He manages to come to the attention of the US Treasury Department. 14 chapters.