"How could you even suggest such a thing? I don't think it will work!" The queen shook her head and sat back down. Fatigue forced her to remain seated; she couldn't stand for long.

"Why not? It's the best solution given the circumstances," Fred said, earnestly gripping the wheelchair's push rings and looking at her. "Your Majesty, I'm doing this for you, for our country. There's no better way."

"But..."

"No more buts, Your Majesty. I understand your concerns. I promise this woman will leave and return safely. At the very least, I will ensure her body remains unharmed. In any case, it will be the greatest honor she could receive—to be your sacrifice!"

He kissed the back of her hand. "Put aside your compassion for now, and think of yourself. As the doctor said, your health is critical, and you know it."

"I do," the queen nodded, troubled. She would never have considered such an experiment if she hadn't felt her strength waning daily. Even now, doubt gnawed at her.

After a moment's reflection, she asked, "But what she said makes sense. No one has ever attempted this experiment. If it fails, then—"

"No, it won't!" Fred interrupted confidently. "While no one has officially used R10, we've conducted countless similar experiments, gathering substantial data and experience. Rest assured, I would never ask you to undertake anything risky. You can trust me on this."

The queen remained hesitant, despite his reassurances. The consequences of failure were unthinkable. She crossed her arms, her brow furrowed. "No, I think we should test it on someone else first. I'll only feel safe using it once it's proven effective."

"How is that even possible?!" Fred exclaimed, his voice rising to a near shout.

Seeing the queen's startled expression, he quickly composed himself, taking several deep breaths. "I apologize, Your Majesty! I didn't mean to be rude. I'm just...overwhelmed with anxiety.

"As you know, this experiment has been ongoing for a considerable time, and we're so close to success. It's not that I object to using a living subject, but there simply isn't enough R10. Besides, we must find a candidate with the correct blood type and compatibility. Where could I possibly find such a person now?"

After a pause, he emphasized, "We are running out of time!"