Mulder and Scully did some investigative prep before leaving D.C. for the unknown.
First, they gathered intel by the Gunmen. Unfortunately, the boys hadn't much to give or reveal.
Hacked satellites confirmed the wilderness of the geographical zone; dense old forest, creeks, steeps, rocks, no practical access and nothing peculiar to be spotted. On the side of rumors and conspiracies, it was said that once the time of explorers, hunters and outdoorsy nuts passed, one big pharma corp sent scientists, biologists and pharmacologists. This wasn't unusual and not nonsensical; new meds were discovered that way. However, things went quickly havoc there, nature soon growling its discontent and taking back its reign thanks to seisms, floods and other brutal changes of mood, rendering the whole zone untouched by human feet for decades —as far as one knew.
"That smells like a paranormal bouquet to me," Mulder then said, tipping his nose with his forefinger. "All those mad scientists in the untamed green."
Scully rolled her eyes, the Gunmen shuckled.
"You've become softer, Mulder," Byers said.
"You're all flowers and roses, now?" Langly asked without asking.
"Hiking in the jungle can sure be a test for snuggle bugs… Well, for a tight team," Frohike wrapped up.
A second passed by.
"There's nothing odd to me, it's just science," Scully simply added not without launching a smirky smile to Mulder —it wasn't worth a try to pretend not to be in an intimate relationship as they were; it was all that obvious.
Mulder shrugged, admitting facts when they were in the middle of the nose.
"Well, gents… Seems lately I've really become soft and sweet on a scientist," he said matter of factly.
On this they left the Gunmen den, Mulder's hand on Scully's back as usual, but also all grinning faces and giddy hearts which wasn't so common —providing enough happiness in the air to breathe in for the boys and for weeks.
After this friendly visit, they fished information from the locals out there, by phone. That was a whole other piece of work, as often. The cold local chief was all vagueness and bothersome, nothing clear coming out of his assertions.
Finally, they packed up practical things —and made a list of what more they would and could need when going on zone— and flew across the country, almost like honeymooners on their way to heavenly beaches.
They should have known better. A trip to an old-growth forest is rarely nice.