The X-Men are racing toward the secret hideout of their alien foe Lucifer when their ship is suddenly deflected by a strange force field. Flying away from the scene to find another way through, the team notices strange objects being pulled out of the sky into the mysterious base. Also witnessing the spectacle is Porter Mack, the owner of a Dude Ranch near Buchanan's Butte, the location of the disturbance. Feeling that the strange goings on will drive away his customer base, he takes some of his best men out to investigate the disturbance and try to find some way to stop it.

The X-Men meanwhile keep on circling the Butte until the strange light source disappears, however upon approaching the Butte they cannot get any closer still because it suddenly starts spraying a geyser of hot water at them. Spotting a nearby stream that goes under the Butte, the X-Men decide to investigate to see if it's a safe passage into their foes hideout. Leaving their plane, the team leaves the Professor behind as they begin to search for a way into their base. Along the way they are spotted and attacked by Porter and his posse, who think the X-Men are responsible and attempt to capture them as there may be a reward since they are still wanted criminals. However the X-Men make short work of their would-be attackers, sending them sprawling into the river below where they retreat, all except for Porter who avoided this humiliating defeat. Porter attempts to take a shot at Iceman but fails when Angel spots him and quickly disarms him. Sealing him in an ice block around his arms, the X-Men load the would be attacker on a horse and send him packing back to his ranch.

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