A/N: The B.P.R.D.'s special talent agents stand their ground at their misconduct hearing, where Hellboy cedes control to no man, not even to the equally stubborn, flamboyant lawyer assigned to their defence. (Please read and review.)

"People, please just call me Josh, and when you have to, Mr. Radner." He hastily rolled a swivel chair up to the dusty desk and flipped out a yellow legal pad. "We need to make the most of this – recess. I'm scribing salient points. Dr. Krauss has already given me the big picture. I want your individual experiences. Quick. Who's first?"

Liz stepped up. "Short story, it's atrocious, the way we've been dealt with," she began. "While we were taking our director at his word to offer us considerations, he must have relayed orders back to have our quarters bugged, and I'm sure, searched. We began to find things out of place after Manning locked us in. Red hunted down some hardware."

Radner scratched out his notations, knitting his dark, well-groomed brows.

"Is there anything left of them?"

"All here," Hellboy replied.

Johann brought a small sealed box from a corner of the room. Breaking the tape, he showed Radner the separately tagged spycams and electronic bugs collected from all three of their Bureau homes. Some were crushed flat, but still recognizable as to intended function.

"We're all going on record for what we did," Hellboy told Radner, "but so will the Bureau."

"As your counsel, I must caution you all concerning the potential hazard against your interests, of taking the stand."

His defendants nodded understanding.

"I was locked into a small fraction of my living area," Abe explained, "so was unable to investigate."

Hellboy closely studied the weakened merman's defeated posture, and gave his shoulder an encouraging push. Knowing Abe for so long, it wasn't hard for the demon to read that he seemed too ashamed to fully open his eyes as he acknowledged with a faint angling of his face. If Abe was to be found out for his part in aiding the near holocaust, things would turn ugly for him in a really big way. He couldn't let him take that fall.

"In the old days," Hellboy added, "mostly everyone who counted in this Bureau had each other's back. When office politics landed on us, not so much. And for the end game, we've got you, Josh."

"Here, I have it," Radner paraphrased, "that you four were placed under arrest, had no offences formally advised, no timely legal representation offered, no attempt to determine validity of facts in issue through your accounts. There's no mention of use of surveillance on your residences, nor of the required judicial orders to install devices and so intercept evidence. You should have been given written notice of same, once the investigation had ceased." Radner looked toward the box. "But the disclosure is silent, too, on the unintended cessation once the said devices were uncovered and neutralized." He shifted his reading glasses up to rest on his crown of longish hair. "Whatever they're trying to pull, no organization below Kingdom Come is going to make a joke out of me! This disclosure brief made available to me forty-two hours ago, delineates the most unacceptable, over the top treatment of defendants I've ever seen for any level of infractions! All I can figure is, the brass is totally afraid of the blame."

"The suits can't know how it really was," Liz put in, "unless they'd seen it for themselves."

"I felt it," Radner said. "Tom Manning's in a spin for kick-starting this mushroom cloud. He went by the book, notifying Washington about the 'stolen' aircraft before he took off after you. But what if he'd been cool, and waited it out? Did he really need to jump on it, considering that nothing materially went wrong as a result of the whole issue? Your intent was to save Agent Hellboy's life. Understandable, accomplished. A successful win over the Bethmooran Golden Army, for which the sole witnesses are you four. Accomplished. I'll expound on that. Manning is the sole informant of record, and it's strongly implied that one of you may have deceitfully appropriated the Bethmooran crown piece described here, without which said battle and potential global endangerment could not have taken place at all."

"Hear the pitter-patter of lame duck feet?" Keenly absorbing all, Hellboy crossed his arms, fuming inside. Damned Manning was staying bulldog over that crown piece – purely to keep the burn off his ass. He could understand Manning being pissed over the plane and the in-your-face they had all given him, but he needed to learn how to keep it real. The 'real' of the paranormal game was like swatting smoke to Manning. He just couldn't slide in and accept. If he'd played this right and up front with the team, Baldy would have come out a hero, without risking a scratch.

Radner continued the summary. "Damn! This reads like a warped fairy tale! Negative political and international relations ramifications are cited in the reported but unsubstantiated deaths of the royals. So the powers that be were constrained to cover their asses by investigating you-all, preferably culminating in discipline. Offences alleged – for Hellboy, Johann, Liz and Abe – 'Misuse of Government property' and 'Involvement in Non-federal entities'. Additionally for Johann, 'Misuse of position'." He flipped the pad to a new sheet, and poised his pen. "What have you got for me on that crown piece? I don't want any surprises."

"The original was never found in these headquarters," stated Hellboy.

"Original?"

"From what I know of the late Prince Nuada, if his sister had it, he would have done anything short of crippling her to get it."

"Short of crippling? Why?"

"They had this magical empathetic twin curse. He gets hurt, she gets it, too. On the B side, the same. That's how they died. Princess Nuala killed herself, to stop him."

"She was a good elf-woman," Liz said. "And the whole crown is gone. I left it melted to a shiny puddle."

"Any other possibility?"

"The prince had gold around, and the smarts to make a copy. He was hardcore desperate." Red offered his plausible alternative. No point in getting the goblin blacksmith involved.

"Mm-hm." Radner nodded. "And no damage to the commandeered aircraft, either. Agent Sapien, anything to add?"

Abe wearily raised his head from the support of his hands. "No, sir. Red, that is - Agent Hellboy has said it all."

"And Dr. Krauss?"

"I agree."

"Agent Sherman?"

"Yes, agreed."

"Then let's head back and get this turkey shoot started."

...

With all essential personnel assembled for the hearing, called to order at last, the on-record introductions were made to the three sitting panel members, and the infractions read by the clerk. Radner sat between his defendants. Parrish, Elder, Sutton and Weller were arrayed behind them.

The prosecutor addressed the head table. "Chair Brennan - I'm Allan Barber, acting for the Federal Bureau of Investigation."

Radner stood. "Joshua A. Radner here, appearing for the defence."

Tom Manning was called as first witness for the prosecution. Taking the podium, he kept his sight line away from the special talent team, concentrating on the prosecutor. On the other hand, the team's eyes bored into their accuser, eager to devour his every word.

"Director Manning, please relate your recollection of events on the day of the defendants' disappearance from this headquarters."

"Yes, sir. On that night, actually, I was of the opinion that Agent Hellboy was dying of a puncture injury near his heart. When I reported to Washington, I was instructed to let that sad situation take its natural course. Instead, I and Dr. Johann Krauss, my peer associate, were ordered not to rest until a certain small item was found - a golden ornament which was to fit into a crown belonging to the Bethmooran royal line. I instituted an extensive search within my area of responsibility. Shortly thereafter, Dr. Krauss became unreachable without notice. I soon discovered that he, and Agents Hellboy, Sherman and Sapien were not to be found on this headquarters property. Further, I was notified that one of the compact BPRD passenger aircraft was also missing. I duly reported theft of the aircraft to my immediate superior in Washington, leaving the search to be continued here, and was given clearance to pursue and apprehend the offenders."

"How did you determine the destination, Dr. Manning?"

"The initial search turned up a newly located map in the commemorative library of our late founder. It indicated a location in County Antrim, northern Ireland, called 'the Giant's Causeway.' It was unknown to me, and I flew there with a team of regular agents. No buildings were located from the air, nor on the ground, and no persons whatsoever, only plant life."

"But you did ultimately discover the offending agents."

"Not discovered, sir. They appeared out of a ground cavity which hadn't been found to exist previously. Agent Hellboy was healthy again, and immediately, without giving any information on where they had been, or what they had been doing, each one came to me with verbal resignations from this Bureau. And they all simply walked away from me. Shortly after, out of compassion, I offered them a flight back here, since there seemed to be no form of food and shelter to be had in that place. All four accepted."

"And were they advised of their status as offenders?"

"No, sir," Manning sighed. "Agents Hellboy and Sherman can be quite intractable, especially when angered. I deemed it unsafe to do so aboard an aircraft in flight. Agent Sapien's talents are more – benign. I had cultivated a measure of rapport with Dr. Krauss, in that I felt he wouldn't engage me in a negative way, but once I had them all secured within the headquarters, it was feasible."

"Was the stolen aircraft recovered?"

"Yes, and was flown back home."

"Were you able to ascertain the agents' activities while in Ireland?"

"Only through conversation with Dr. Krauss, in flight."

"And as a result of receiving that information, what action did you take?"

"I relayed it back to Washington, and reported the defendants' misconducts."

"Thank you, Dr. Manning. Your witness, Mr. Radner."

Radner had been listening, head up while scribbling notes. He stood to cross examine.

"Dr. Manning, you exercised due diligence in reporting the missing aircraft to your superiors.

As for the information received from Dr. Krauss which formed the basis of your misconduct report to Washington – did you find that information complete, and to your satisfaction?"

"No...really, no. Dr. Krauss was quite descriptive only about the fighting. But the upshot was that Prince Nuada and Princess Nuala died as a result of my agents being there."

"Did you have occasion to meet this prince and princess?"

"Earlier that same night, all except Agent Sherman and I embarked on a fact-finding mission at the troll market under the Brooklyn Bridge.." Here, Manning fielded bewildered looks from the visiting administrative agents.

"I won't require you to explain that setting, Dr. Manning," said Radner. "Your answer, if you will."

"I missed that chance by remaining inside my command post, near the site. You see, there was a sudden massive violent disturbance in the streets, widespread destruction, and a storeys-tall wild paranormal marauder, some of which I viewed on a post monitor."

"How did this marauder come to be?"

"I was informed that it was conjured and set forth on the city by Prince Nuada."

"And was the disturbance resolved?"

"Yes, by Agent Hellboy. He put down the creature."

"And how would you characterize the agent's actions?"

"Typical. He curtailed any further attacks by the monster."

"Preventing loss of citizens' lives, at the risk of his own?"

"There were very few fatalities registered, but all of those were responding New York city police personnel. And Agent Hellboy has charged directly into many life-threatening situations in the line of duty."

"But – in violation of their constitutional rights, you subsequently ordered the unreasonable confinements of Agents Hellboy, Sherman, Sapien, and for a time, of Dr. Krauss."

"It was by reason of investigative detention," Manning answered, "and confining Dr. Krauss is virtually impossible. He was on his honour not to leave these headquarters, or to interfere in any way."

"To which investigation do you refer?"

"The investigation into the continuity for possession of the Bethmooran crown piece."

"Explain to the tribunal, the significance of this crown piece."

"It's said to complete a royal crown, which then would allow, um, command of a purported instrument of annihilation, the Golden Army."

"Command by whom?"

"I would think, by Prince Nuada."

"The prince, shortly after the dispatch of the creature near the Brooklyn bridge, appeared inside this headquarters. What were your actions at that time?"

"I heard that he and his sister, the princess, were in the BPRD library, where he speared and injured Agent Hellboy – but I wasn't there."

"Could the prince not have been captured for that assault, in the library?"

"I heard that he and the princess, simply vanished. They obviously had certain magical abilities."

"Magical. But not sufficient magic to keep possession of their crown piece?"

"I don't know."

Radner arched his brow. "Were you able to ascertain Prince Nuada's location after you arrived in County Antrim?"

"No, sir."

"And have you any knowledge of the extent of the battle engaged in by the accused agents?"

"Again, only through information from Dr. Krauss."

"And, to the best of your knowledge, these agents' purpose in engaging in such battle, was?"

"To prevent the mechanical army from decimating our known world."

Radner stood silent, resting his gaze in turn, on each face at the adjudicator's table, giving the impact of Manning's answer time to sink in.

"How embarrassing for our respective organizations, wouldn't you say, Dr. Manning?"

"Their actions were unauthorized," Manning answered, attempting a tone of conviction.

"And then, was it by your order that the residences of said three agents, and of Dr. Johann Krauss, were searched without warrant, an order given while they and yourself were enroute from Ireland to these headquarters?"

"It was my order, yes."

"To search for what, specifically?"

"I needed to be certain about the crown piece. Those areas hadn't been searched previously. They're on BPRD property."

"And they are residences. You know this. Anyone whom you assigned to perform the searches would have been correct to refuse. I see none of these on your witness list."

"I take full responsibility, sir." Manning raced through his answer.

"Proper search procedure would have required that warrants be obtained. Were such warrants applied for, and granted?"

"No, sir."

"Why not?"

"Exigent circumstances."

"Explain the exigency."

"I wanted searches completed before the agents could occupy their quarters after we landed here."

"You wanted. Were your grounds based on the fact that you could not have found the account of Dr. Krauss credible, the man who doesn't frighten you, the man you've called your 'peer associate'?"

"He's been considered honourable – but not after what he did!"

"The annihilating Golden Army – gone," Radner reminded, off-handedly.

Manning waited dumbly for the next question.

"Further, Dr. Manning, did you order the installation of audio and visual surveillance equipment in those same three residences?"

"Yes, I did."

"Had anyone applied for and received the required judicial authorization, to install such devices, and to thereby gather evidence of offences?"

"No, Mr. Radner," Manning answered, sounding tired, "Again, no one."

"And your purpose?"

"The same."

"Was audio and visual evidence gathered through these means?"

"Nothing pertinent, sir. The devices ceased operating within four to six hours."

"Are the audio and visual recordings still intact?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then I move to have all such records, and all copies, turned over to defence counsel for review by the affected defendants, and subsequent destruction. Dr. Manning, since the defence hasn't been furnished with copies of any such required documentation, I do believe that you've been truthful, in that your actions in regard to such unauthorized surveillances, again have served to violate the rights of the four defendants."

Brennan nodded to her stenographer. "Mr. Radner's application to receive the described records will be addressed before the completion of these proceedings."

"As to the physical devices themselves, Chair Brennan, Dr. Krauss has kept secure custody of all, and the defendants will separately attest to the locations and removal of these devices within their private quarters. The panel also may adjourn to each of the defendants' residences, so that the chain of possession can be demonstrated. An additional day may attach for thorough consideration of this matter."

Barber threw a frozen glance at Radner, and requested to consult with Manning, after which both counsellors leaned into a sidebar with Brennan.

He took the opportunity to closely hiss, "Josh, why do you insist on running your defence this way? It's not a criminal case."

"I love the sound of my own oration. Just give me what I want on the record."

Barber returned to his place, announcing, "Prosecution won't deliberate further on the matter of the surveillance devices. Dr. Manning's testimony in accepting responsibility for ordering the operations, is deemed sufficient."

"The defence agrees to same."

"Dr. Manning," Radner continued, "are you willing to accept the resignations of Agents Hellboy, Elizabeth Sherman, Dr. Johann Krauss and Abraham Sapien?"

"No, I'm not."

"Why not?"

"I was hoping that they'd reconsider. They're unique and of great value to the Bureau."

"Have they submitted notices of intent to resign?"

"No. Not yet." Manning looked wrung out.

"They're unique and of great value to the Bureau," quoted Radner, "who are entitled to live as free beings, who are not material property. Should these four have expected that you would lie to them, resort to subterfuge, to effect their capture?"

"Maybe. I don't know. I didn't lie. I did continue to give them the necessaries of life."

"As would be your mandated duty to any prisoner in your custody," Radner proposed. "Now, correct me if my historical facts are inaccurate. Hellboy's age is now sixty-one years. He's been an active BPRD field agent since the age of fourteen, and so has afforded forty-seven years of loyal service."

"To my knowledge, that's correct," Manning answered, "but he's cost us a lot in redressing property damages, and secrecy retention concerns."

"Given Hellboy's singular brand of longevity, he's relatively a young man at this time, and could foreseeably serve another such term. Would you choose to dismiss this agent, and the value of his unique abilities?"

"No, in spite of our personal differences, I wouldn't," Manning admitted. "There's no one else like him, on our side."

"Do you include Dr. Krauss, Abraham Sapien and Elizabeth Sherman in that category, as well?"

"Yes. Their skills, too, are invaluable to the Bureau."

"You may be aware of this formally filed contract between the FBI and the late Prof. Trevor Bruttenholm," Radner continued, handing up sheets of paper to Manning. He gestured to the clerk to take and distribute copies to the officers of the court, and waited for Manning to complete a short period of reading. "Four years before his untimely death, Prof. Bruttenholm secured this sworn agreement with the FBI, that his adoptive son Hellboy, formally citizenised as Trevor Bruttenholm II, would be provided with lifetime financial support and lodging, wherever and for ever how long he sees fit. Naturally, the professor's survivor pension was transferred to his only son, and he and other unique team members have continued to draw their salaries, courtesy of the FBI. Now, I am rightly confused by the stances of both the FBI and the BPRD on this matter." Radner displayed a significant, but respectful frown to the adjudicator, then turned back to his cross examination.

"How would you have been dealt with, Director, had you returned from Ireland without the special agents?"

Hellboy leaned close to Liz and cheered under his breath, "What a tiger..."

Manning visibly swallowed under the knot of his necktie. "It would have been viewed very poorly, to say the least. It was my duty to report their misconducts, and I simply couldn't fail to bring them back by any means, not knowing until too late, that they would have to face – this."

"Then, can it be said that you personally approve of their actions relating to vanquishing this enormous threat of the Golden Army, however unauthorized beforehand?"

"I'd have to say, yes. That's what they do. That's what they're supposed to do."

"No further questions."

Barber stood. "And no redirect."

Radner announced Johann as his first witness. He paused then, to hear Barber request the expected exclusion of Abe, Liz and Hellboy, and watched them file out to the corridor with their guard, behaving as he'd instructed.

Radner began by asking Johann to speak of his tenure, career accomplishments, and the responsibilities of his position as head of the ectoplasmic division within the FBI, then to list his unique and valuable paranormal abilities.

"Dr. Krauss, do you believe that you've committed the infraction of misuse of your position?"

"Only in zat, I failed in my supervisory mandate, to stop Achents Sherman and Sapien from taking ze subject aircraft. Achent Hellboy, at zat time, was incapacitated und qvite blameless."

"Did you misuse government property?"

"It must be seen zat way by zis tribunal, but I cannot regret applying discretion. It vas a necessary use of ze plane, in my view, as no von else in charge vas attempting to save ze life of Achent Hellboy. I joined zem villingly."

"Do you believe that you've committed the infraction of involving yourself in non-federal entities?"

"Jah. Vith Achent Hellboy, I fought indestructible mechanical soldiers, on foreign soil. But vithout our skills und dedication, ze human race vould have faced unending peril."

Radner then turned to the prosecutor. "Your witness."

"Dr. Krauss, since you seem willing to admit your guilt on all counts, my questions will be few.

How was Agent Hellboy able to join you in the fighting, when as we've heard, he was dying?"

"From my distance avay, I vas unable to determine zat."

"And how did you come to be involved in the battle?"

"Ze mechanical soldiers vere brought to operation by Prince Nuada, whose mission vas to destroy all human life by means of ze Golden Army. Und he set zem to attack us. Each soldat robot appeared powered by internal red ether. As my gaseous self, I entered und took control of several of zem, which resulted in eqval fighting ability – until I was forced to return to containment in zis suit vhich you see now. I vitnessed ze immediate self-repair of all zat Achent Hellboy and I had destroyed."

"Had the prince then owned the missing crown piece, and so was able to effect this?"

"Ze prince vould have needed a complete crown to do zis, vhich he did have."

"What happened to the Golden Army?"

"Ze crown is destroyed beyond recovery. Ze army vill never rise again."

"No more questions."

"No redirect."

Excused, Johann returned to his seat beside Radner.

Abe was called next to testify.

"Agent Sapien," Radner began, "Will you be long in recovering from the physical and emotional trauma of your days and nights of captivity in a severely limited space?"

"Thank you for asking, sir. I should regain my normal weight and strength within the month."

"How do you answer to your alleged infraction of misuse of government property?"

"I did wilfully assist in commandeering the Bureau aircraft, for the purpose of flying Agent Hellboy to Ireland, where we hoped to stand a chance of saving his life."

"What was the chance you speak of?"

"Finding Prince Nuada, who might be prevailed upon to remove his magic spear point which was killing Hellboy."

"Did you find Prince Nuada?"

"Yes."

"And what did he do, if anything?"

"He activated the robotic soldiers of his Golden Army."

"It's been established that Agent Hellboy had recovered by other means before that."

"Yes."

"How did that come to pass? Was it the prince's doing?"

"Oh, no! Previous to the fighting – and I and Dr. Krauss were denied close approach – Agents Hellboy and Sherman were visited by an unexpected being. I don't know what it was, or what took place, but Agent Hellboy emerged unharmed. He and Dr. Krauss were then the only two fit to fight the soldiers, which were magically empowered to restore themselves back to full operation when damaged. I stood back with Agent Sherman. It was most terrifying to watch."

"What formed the magical empowerment?"

"The crown worn by the prince."

"And was the prince in full control?"

"Yes, until Agent Hellboy challenged him for command, which made the army stand without direction. After winning their duel, he took the crown from the prince. Agent Sherman incinerated the crown, which rendered the army immobile, for all time."

"And tell the court what you know of how the prince and his sister came to meet their deaths."

"I had become well acquainted with Princess Nuala, and.." Abe looked down for a moment to collect himself, "and it was she who told me of the bond which had always existed between herself and her twin brother Nuada. Should one be harmed, so would the other suffer the identical damage. After the duel and without warning, the princess stabbed herself with the slender dagger she always carried concealed. I saw the knife fall from her hand, and was beside her before she died of the injury, I believe, to the area of her heart. The physiology of her Elven race transformed her body from flesh to stone, instantly. I saw that the prince, having tried to approach her as far as his condition allowed, also fell to the floor as a stone effigy."

"Why would the lady do such a thing?" Radner asked gently.

"She knew that – should her brother continue in life, he would seek ways to carry out his mission, whether or not he had the army in hand. She prevented this by causing her own death, and in turn, his."

"What was Prince Nuada's mission?"

"Out of a millenia-long historical hatred, the prince's ambition was to rid this world of the entire human race, to reclaim a secure home for his own people."

"Thank you, Agent Sapien."

Barber rose to cross examine.

"At the time of activating the army, was Prince Nuada in possession of a fully empowered crown?"

"He was."

Barber ended there. Again, Radner declined to re-examine.

Dismissed, Abe left the stand and joined Johann at the counsel table.

Since the lunch recess had been delayed to a much later hour, Brennan adjourned for the day. Radner hung back in the emptying room for an informal chat with opposing counsel.

"By all means, stay, Director Manning," he invited, then faced Barber, coolly provoking. "Allan, how can you let yourself be part of this fishing expedition? I saw through it in the first five minutes."

"How could I refuse the chance to parry with big, bad Josh Radner?" Barber answered with evident admiring sarcasm.

"Well, thank you, my learned adversary! If you think you're up for it." Radner gave the 'eyes on you' salute. "All for the record."

He jauntily walked away, and out to the corridor to join his waiting defendants. Abe looked much uplifted and relieved, but cautiously held back any remarks, seeing Manning emerge with the prosecutor. Red was quick to offer all his companions a meal at his place, and they strode off together, murmuring and chuckling among themselves.

Parrish had gone on ahead to see to the delivery of the food, even to taking the precaution of searching the conveyances. In the private retreat of Red's quarters, mingling and amiable, Josh fell in easily with the jocular company. The occasion was made more festive as a visibly happier Abe filled a plate of his own, and joined the others at the couches. Johann strolled to a corner and unobtrusively opened his chest valve. The spirit's emerging white wisps of ectoplasmic substance caught the counsellor's three second stare. Settling down among the company of friends with his lunch, Radner was prepared for the inevitable questions.

"How's it all going?" Weller wanted to know. Liz walked up to listen.

"We're not to be discussing testimony among ourselves on break, so if you happen to steal a look at my note pages, keep it to yourself," he chuckled. "I've got a bear of an argument in the works."

"And why, Josh," Liz interjected, "have you decided to call Red and I as final witnesses?"

"I'm keeping you together. I can count on Red to be colourful and forceful. And if anyone expects you to be the 'weak sister', they'll be sadly mistaken," Radner grinned. "I have no doubt that from time to time, you've had occasion to figuratively singe the director's – um – nose hairs."

Liz nodded and approved. "I trust you."

Radner looked up as Hellboy approached at her back, to take her shoulder in a gentle squeeze. The counsellor slanted an openly enquiring gaze and lowered his voice, drawing them in.

"Do you two honestly expect that the Bureau would try to permanently separate you, in any way?"

"Since they've been treating us as property, yes," Liz answered.

Radner then filed away his observation of Red's right arm slipping around Liz' waist, and his stone fingers coming to rest unconsciously, protectively, over her belly.