Icarus Corporation

The Icarus Corporation was a quasi-illegal company in the 23rd century that set up research labs in the outer Sol System. 
They were about to be shut down by co-operating governments when they released data proving that they had created and tested a faster-than-light drive. Overdrive made tem the biggest and most powerful business force in human history as a new branch of science and engineering sprang up.
Hugo Pauvert was contracted by the Icarus Corporation to survey planets in the 43 Camelopardalis system that would lead directly to first contact with the B'ra'Sha.