Cliffjumper would have replied to that question, really, but the Senator coming up had completely derailed him except for a brief twitch of his helm to the side where a gold-tinted minibot sharing a general frane-type with Cliffjumper had been approaching them... but had to stop when the Decepticon Senator came up.

Noble he may be, but like Cliffjumper, lacking any official station just yet, he hardly had the influence and authority to have the right to interrupt a senator.

A senator who was now smirking narrowly down at Cliffjumper, giving a tiny shrug.

"I am always busy... inefficiency abound, of course. And I obviously have time for a gathering that has charity as a goal... the business that needs wrapping up is in good hands and ought to soon be finished." Ratbat paused, helm tilting, and glanced at Optimus, then down to Cliffjumper again.

"Spectacular choice. Wouldn't care to share?"

There's a faint choking noise from Cliffjumper and he glares narrowly up at Ratbat.

"You'd have to talk to Mirage, I ain't the one who hired him. 'Sides, could always ask him yourself." Cliffjumper scowled suspiciously when Ratbat merely smirked and looked straight at Optimus.

"I believe I already have. Perhaps the offer of sharing should be redirected to you instead?" There was an exceedingly brief brush of Ratbat's hand - easily seen as accidental - against Cliffjumper's shoulder.

The implication, especially to someone of Optimus' caste, should be quite obvious.