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.