The mercenary Derk had committed murder, and Hercules was bringing him to Sparta to stand trial when a terrible storm wrecked their boat. Stranded on a desolate island, Hercules pursued Derk even as a band of pirates chased them both. Fighting off hideous worm-like creatures while searching for water, Hercules and Derk reached an uneasy truce. In time, Hercules came to appreciate Derk as a man of pride and honor despite his wrongdoings. Finally arriving in Sparta and learning Derk would not get a fair trial, Hercules helped the mercenary escape - on the condition that he would change his ways.

Hercules' good deeds landed him on trial when Kazankis, a Hercules impersonator, was killed. Charged with manslaughter, sedition and undermining the authority of the gods, Hercules pleaded innocent on all counts. But Spencius, the government prosecutor, showed how Hercules' acts of heroism caused Kazankis and others to emulate his actions, putting themselves and their families at risk. Although Hercules began to doubt himself, he told the court that society needs heroes who are not afraid to risk their lives for others. The case was ultimately dismissed, and Hercules was freed.