He's never really been sure what would happen if his gem was removed from his body completely, but the idea of him just straight up dying as a result isn't that surprising. He's a hybrid between gem and human, and he's always sort of known that he needs both parts to exist. The idea that they can just shut him off like this, that they can separate him from his gem whenever they want... it mostly leaves him feeling despondent.

"Maybe they just... shut off the connection...?" Maybe they did it on purpose? If people are going to try to escape soon, and the technicians still have his gem, then what would happen? "I have to get it back."