They resided in a domicile within a vast technocratic 'post-scarcity' metropolis, where humanity reached near 'post-singularity' technological immortality.

Husband and wife, Frank, a field service technician, and Alice, a Ph.D. and specialist in nanotechnology, sat together after dinner on an 'anti-gravity couch' while watching the holographic news in their living room.

"Stay tuned for more on this important update!" said a Holo news AI anchor. "Supplies are running out, and people are frantically looking everywhere for nanite replenishments; many need them to stay alive."

"Unbelievable! Alice, do we have any left?"

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

"Yes, Frank, we've got that hidden cryo-storage unit, but it's only a one-year supply. We're very fortunate to have them because of my job."

"I wonder what happened …"

"Oh, it started at the top. Those in charge of supply chains are also dependent on the nanites."

"Like us?"

"Yes, so once manufacturing broke down, they exhibited the same side effects as everyone else: desperate hoarding of nanites, inability to reason, low energy, and whatever ailments the nanites suppressed resurfaced. My colleagues and I call it 'A Loop of Chaos.' I warned everyone that we should have a surplus and not have those in charge be nanite-dependent, but ..."

"I see," Frank interrupted her. "Is it hopeless?"

"No, there's hope." Alice straightened up. "But it'll probably require AI to take over everything completely."

"AI?" Frank gasped. "Uh, wouldn't that run our lives?"

"Probably so," Alice nodded, "but I don't think we'll have any other choice; otherwise, we may all eventually perish from nanite scarcity."