Dan Simmons

Hardcase is a 2001 novel by American writer Dan Simmons. It is the first of three hardboiled detective novels featuring the character of Joe Kurtz.

It is the 29th century and the universe of the Human Hegemony is under threat. Invasion by the warlike Ousters looms, and the mysterious schemes of the secessionist AI TechnoCore bring chaos ever closer. On the eve of disaster, with the entire galaxy at war, seven pilgrims set fourth on a final voyage to the legendary …