Item from The Expanse by James S.A. Corey
The original protomolecule sample recovered from Phoebe Station by Protogen researchers. The seed of every horror and wonder that followed. Possession of this sample drove murders, conspiracies, and wars across the solar system.
Sample Zero is the protomolecule material recovered from Phoebe's ice cores by Protogen researchers — the first confirmed alien technology ever found by humanity. From this single sample, everything else followed: the Eros incident, the hybrid soldiers, the Ring Gates, Laconia's empire. Possession of Sample Zero became the most dangerous game in the system. Protogen had it first, then it passed through various hands — Fred Johnson held a sample at Tycho, Cortazar studied fragments on Laconia. Everyone who possessed it believed they could control it. Everyone was wrong to varying degrees.
A small containment unit holding a quantity of protomolecule material — faintly luminescent blue filaments suspended in a sealed, radiation-shielded vessel. Unremarkable in size, terrifying in implication. The containment protocols are extreme: multiple failsafes, radiation shielding, biohazard seals, and magnetic isolation. It looks like a glowing blue sample in a very expensive jar.
Also known as: Sample Zero, The Sample, Phoebe Sample