Gridlinked by Neal Asher

Gridlinked is a fast-paced science fiction adventure mixed with a dash of cyberpunk and a splash of espionage. Earth Central Security agent Ian Cormac is a legend, a protector of the Polity, hundreds of worlds connected together by instantaneous transport via "runcibles." Unfortunately, he's burnt out, "gridlinked" to the net so long his humanity has nearly drained away.

Now he must go cold turkey as he's sent to investigate a thirty-megaton runcible disaster on the planet Samarkand. With the runcible out, Cormac must get there by ship to investigate the disaster. But he has incurred the wrath of psychopath Arian Pelter, who trails him across the galaxy with the decidedly homicidal android Mr. Crane at his side.

And deep beneath Samarkand's surface are mysteries better buried.

It's not only humans who know the meaning of hate.

Gridlinked (2001)
Tor trade paperback
423 pages
my rating : 8/10