Gabriel would be lying if he said he didn't at least consider this a possibility, if not actively plan for it. He wouldn't have come if he wasn't prepared to die, finding it an acceptable alternative to having hardware stay in his head. At the very least, making this kind of deal with Cassius was practically asking for a kidnapping, but perhaps he expected to actually talk to the AI again before getting knocked out and cut open. He comes to, and he realizes that the surgery is already over.

It's hard not to have a brief moment of panic, but as he comes out of the haze he clenches and unclenches his fists, blinks his eyes and scrunches up his face, as if making sure everything is still working. He can shift a little on the surgical bed, so he's not paralyzed, which is a good thing. Even in the post-surgery fog, he has to admit he's really looking forward to having a word with this guy.

"Yeah?"

He realizes he doesn't know where Jack is, or if he's even alive, and that thought is more distressing than anything else about this situation. Still, he knows he's not in any position to show weakness, so despite the fact that he's literally just had something cut out of his head, he tries to sound as casual as possible, even if it comes out a little dazed.

"Should I be flattered?"

Is he making everyone an offer?