[ti]Ep 3[/ti]Untangle (Raf, Bee, Closed)

[Optimus Prime]

This wasn't what he had been expecting.

As Rafael began to dive into the topic full force as if a floodgate had been opened, Optimus shifted his weight some while he took it all in, helm rising a bit in the process. He had expected some kind of difficult topic, and should MECH have been part of it he expected it to be something to do with a tactic to consider or who knows what. Instead of this however, he heard of a Neutral individual sending a warning message on just how far their stolen technology had been manipulated and engineered against them. He heard just how dangerous they were, far beyond what may have been predicted previously and taken into account.

The fact the humans had taken to their tech so very fast was troubling. Seemingly so little time taken to manipulate alien coding and properties that were so many years beyond their own capabilities. Their adaptability was impressively concerning.

Optimus knew that MECH could target minds. He was well aware of that given past victims and the outcome that came of it... yet he translated it all as the result of hands on work and physical tampering. Anything and everything to do with their Processors being things that occurred once they were hardwired and able to have code and data manipulated and cloned. Ranged tampering, weaponry possibly designed for such things... that was another level, and brought with it new concerns on the topic. Reconnaissance missions and scouting would need to take this into account, and precautions taken to try to have a response team ready should someone get cut off from the group.

Confirming validity of these claims, getting a bead on who this individual was beyond word of mouth was important. Optimus certainly did want more details on what had been found out, including what potential evidence there was to back up said claims. Did this mean he would shun the warning and turn his back upon it without said proof? No. To do so would be negligent and ignorant. He would take these words seriously. The cost of considering them and being wrong, was so much less than the alternative.

There was a good notable pause as the Prime processed this all, the rings controlling the apertures in his eyes flicking slightly while he looked absently to the side a moment. It was apparent he was really digesting things, starting to consider even the fact this could be some sort of manipulative action from the Decepticons. For all he knew this discussion would lead to a meeting, and the proposed meeting could be an ambush of some type. Yet a discussion over a communication relay, a secure relay, should not result in anything amiss.

"Did she supply you with means to contact said individual."

This was all he said regarding the scenario, a bit of a serious edge forming in his voice. Not anger, not irritation at Rafael, but rather a new focus and goal settling in that he needed to investigate sooner rather than later.

[Bumblebee]

Bee would once again fall quiet as Raf began to speak - his gaze and attention shifting to Optimus, looking up and watching his faceplate as the tiny human passed on what information he knew.

Even though Raf had given him the briefest explanation, the part about MECH advancing their technology so quickly was new to him - even if it was something they’d probably all thought about - and it was honestly terrifying. If the intel had been about the Decepticons, he would’ve probably taken it with a grain of salt- why would Dart give information about her own faction? Why would they believe her? But this- MECH were a common enemy, and a dangerous one at that.

They did not care about faction, they took whoever they could get their hands on - which was about to become a whole lot easier if what Raf was saying was true. Before, it was fairly simple to evade them - hide amongst the traffic and vehicles of civilians. But now? They could be sensed even when in their altmode, even if they were surrounded.

What if they saw him when he was sitting outside the school waiting for Raf? It was bad enough that both MECH and the Decepticons knew of the children, but if they were here in Jasper? How would they be kept safe? Would they be able to do anything?

He was internally panicking over his own thoughts and what-ifs, even if outwardly he was calm and quiet. The comment about Optimus handling MECH wrong drew his attention from his own internal screaming, watching to see how the Prime reacted to such a thing. Most would not take something like that well, but Optimus was not most.

There was a silence then, a lingering pause - yet it was obvious that Optimus was mulling over the details and the warning that’d been given - trying to work out what best to do. This had come from nowhere, and the information had been passed on so long ago now that he hoped it wasn’t too late to reach out to the third party.

It seemed Optimus was on the same thought process as him, though, as a question was asked then. While contacting anyone was risky, especially some unknown like this- it was a risk they’d just have to take. MECH was a threat to their entire species, and any information regarding them should be passed on, no matter what.

[Raf Esquivel]

Raf continued to watch Optimus carefully, looking for any signs that he might be angry.

The youth wasn’t used to seeing the Prime angry, so it was sort of hard to know if he was showing anything like that at all. Optimus was usually so stoic, never really showing any emotion, it was so hard to know what he was feeling. Raf thought that maybe that made him a good leader in one way, but...not always a good leader in another.

But then again, Raf thought, I’m a human, and maybe they see things differently?

At any rate, Optimus didn’t seem angry, although he certainly seemed intent. And intense. Raf had spoken to Optimus a lot, often one on one. The leader was usually soft spoken to him, kind and gentle. It was a little unnerving to be the focus of the Prime’s complete attention, even if he knew Optimus would never ever hurt him.

Sitting on Bee’s shoulder, normally making him feel very tall, suddenly felt like he was still rather small, as he was still looking up at the Prime.

“Uh...she gave me her number,” Raf said calmly, as if giant alien robots giving 12 and three quarter year old boys their cell phone numbers was the most common thing in the world, “I can call her and tell her you want to talk to her friend. We could all meet somewhere in person, or she can tell me how to have her friend get in contact with you and I can tell you.”

Attempting to be helpful, Raf reached into his pocket and pulled out his cellphone, “I can call her right now if you want!”

[Optimus Prime]

"Uh...she gave me her number,"

Number...? Like a phone number...?

As Rafael continued to speak, elaborating that he could call Dart directly, it became readily apparent that she used a cellphone of some kind. It was profoundly odd and interesting that a Decepticon of all individuals would adapt and use human technology on that level. Something that could easily be replaced by a comm system and their particular codes to access and 'call'. It somewhat threw him off guard a moment, though it also made sense in a way if she wanted the small human to be the one to call him back. It wasn't as if he could easily code in and call a direct communications line...

Then again... with Rafael he could if he plugged into the Control Room terminal.

Yet, she ideally had no way of knowing he had this skill.

"We may call from a secured line."

While she gave him her number, Optimus found it far safer for them to use the systems in Omega to make the call. A secure line, something that wouldn't be able to be tracked or even called back with ease without the proper hoops being jumped so that someone couldn't unintentionally dial them. It was the line Fowler could use, though the children had access to it as well should push come to shove and they needed to get in contact. The point was, it was not calling from Rafael's personal phone, not giving Dart a direct bead to his cell.

"Unless you have given your number already."

Wariness crept in again. Optimus would not be profoundly surprised should the child have done such a thing. He seemed to be eager to help and wanting to jump to the cause to assist Dart without thinking things through fully. To give her his personal number could seem ignorantly harmless, giving her safe means to reach out that couldn't injure him in any way. The fact was however, that many phones seemed to have tracking capabilities, and while Optimus was not knowledgeable on the direct details of the how, he knew well that Soundwave would if his reputation and record still held as powerful today as it did ages past.

While Soundwave could likely find their GPS information despite lack of number if he put his mind to the task, giving as many hoops as possible and making it more difficult was wise.

Whatever the case, it was of note that Optimus had said 'we' at the onset of all this. Meaning that he was not going to shove Rafael completely out of the equation. He had gotten first contact; he had likely gotten some foundation so that he could lead into the conversation well. It would keep the human informed on something that was his 'mission' to begin with, but he would most assuredly not handle it alone. Optimus had no intention of not being involved so that if he needed to step in to keep the child safe he would be able to do so. He just knew that the Prime randomly calling a seemingly 'lower ranked' Decepticon could be alarming on the best of days.

Optimus did not comment on Rafael saying they could all meet somewhere in person. That was not even remotely on the table, for he would never put the child in harms way like that. As such, participation of that kind would be barred for safety sake.

[Bumblebee]

Wait, what?

Raf had gotten her… phone number? He knew what phones were, he understood them for the most part, and knew that some humans were weirdly attached to the tiny objects. Miko for example seemed to alllways be on her phone or at the very least, always had it on her person. But Cybertronians did not need such things- what with a built-in comm to aid in staying in contact with one another. Failing that, datapads could be used in a pinch, too.

But the fact that Dart had a phone was a little weird. Then again, if she had been masquerading as a human using her holoform, it kind of made sense.

He was still wary, though. It bugged him just how close Raf had gotten to a Decepticon, and it was upsetting to think about what could’ve happened. He’d been in stasis at the time, and therefore unable to help should anything have gone wrong. It just showed how careful they had to be, though. The Decepticons knew who Raf and the other kids were, they were easy targets.

Remaining quiet, he would listen as Optimus spoke, gently nodding as if in agreement on the secured line suggestion. He hoped - really hoped that Raf hadn’t given his number to her in return. What if she could somehow use it to track him? Was that how it worked?

Just something else to internally stress over…

[Raf Esquivel]

Raf looked a little crestfallen when Optimus said they would call from a secured line. It made sense, of course. But it would have been fun, calling her up and telling her he had just told Optimus what she had wanted him to.

Raf had never actually called it before. There had been times he had been tempted...mostly just to see if it really was an actual line to talk to her. Why didn’t she use her inner com like the others? Was it just a phone that had never been turned on? Just to see if he would actually try to call her?

Besides...if he did call her up, what would he say? You didn’t call up a Decepticon just to talk. Ask her how her day had been, or if she had seen any good movies.

When the Prime asked his question, Raf quickly shook his head.

“No, Optimus, I didn’t. I didn’t think that was a good idea.”

Raf was very gifted as a child. His ability to relate to things computerized and to understand code was astounding. His ability to know which Cybertronian was which just by the sound each made was one of the strangest things he had ever heard of.

But Raf was still a child. To his mind, the fact a Decepticon had had the ability to kill him right then and there but didn’t was ample evidence that Dart could be trusted. He understood that bad people often pretended to be good to trick you, but he couldn’t believe that anyone could take that so far as to entertain a kid for so long, pretending to be a friend for so long, in order to get something. The fact that she had talked to him about mundane things like fossils and dinosaurs was proof she wasn’t a bad person.

Raf also knew, however, that she could be forced to tell things she didn’t want to. And if he had given her his number, any other Decepticon might hurt her to get it from her. So it was better not to let her have it.

“She didn’t give me a lot of information about her friend, Optimus, just that they’d be able to talk to you about it more. That you’d be more likely to understand coming from him.”

There was a pause.

“I don’t think she’s lying, Optimus,” Raf said quietly, honestly, and earnestly, “She seemed honest about the whole thing. I mean, this is bad for the Decepticons, too.”

Something suddenly came to Raf, and he hesitated for a moment. He didn’t want to offend the Prime in any manner, but he also didn’t want to make a big mistake.

“If we’re going to call her....maybe I should be the one to talk to her? Just at first, I mean. If she hears your voice first thing, Optimus, she might....I don’t know...panic, maybe, and hang up? If I talk to her first she’ll know you’re going to be speaking to her and she might be more calm about it.”

[Optimus Prime]

As foolish as Rafael may have been in the discussion with Dart, acting unsafe around a Decepticon... or even one who just may be a stranger in general... Optimus knew he had a good heart. While his gut feeling of Dart being honest and true could not be taken as straight LAW, it did mean much that he trusted her despite finding out her allegiance in this war. He had seen and been told about Decepticons and enough conflict by this point to recognize that the other faction were not always the most trustworthy, so to defend her like this? To stand up and insist she could truly be trying to be helpful? It was taken into account and not brushed aside as the ramblings of a child.

Rafael's following words also held some truth to them that could not be ignored as well. The one time Optimus had seen Dart unexpectedly when she had means to react properly, she had vanished to the horizon faster than he could barely process who it even was. Her frame was but a smear of color and blurred shapes, a ghosted figure that sliced through branches and foliage like a red-hot blade. It could be touted as good survival instincts, but if it transitioned to verbal communications and other unexpected scares as well? Then having his voice be the first thing heard could end with the phone being launched just as fast as she had run that past day.

"Very well. Let us try to find answers."

With a plan now set, Optimus moved then, finally breaking away from the stagnant position he had been locked into for the majority of their discussion. His weight rocked back ever so slightly, before easing forward into a gradual stride, heavy footfalls thrumming against the concrete floor below to cross the distance between him and the other two individuals in a flicker given his longer gait. The Prime was a larger mech to many, towering above most which was further accented by hooking red shoulder paneling that pushed up on either side. He had put a good buffer between them initially to not completely overshadow, not wanting to intimidate Rafael, but this buffer could not be held any longer as he needed to move to the Control Room terminal.

Optimus would pass Bumblebee and Rafael, before he crooked around to click a key upon the keyboard in order to activate a slumbering screen that had been on standby. The cobbled tech flickered some at the command, lines almost akin to a CRT skirting across it a moment before the pulses evened out and the green lit panels remained active fully. Once this settled, the Prime would type in a few additional commands, activating the channel used to call out to Fowler or other needs, acting as their secured phone line. With this, Optimus would look over at Rafael and Bumblebee, his frame easing to the side so they could join him in front of the computer system.

"I am ready when you are."

Should Rafael retrieve the number and speak it out, Optimus would key it in and let it activate, opting to remain silent so that the young human could take lead. His cyan optics would cast a wary gaze to the screen however, unsure if this would work, or what the outcome would even be should Dart answer.

[Bumblebee]

Bumblebee could do little more than stand quietly and listen. While he had his own thoughts on the matter, they weren’t important right in this second - at least not to the point of speaking up and interrupting the conversation. He was mostly just worried that Raf had done this at all, and yet… was there any point in worrying? Raf had met Dart so long ago now, that the time for any sort of upset had long since passed.

Of course, they were about to contact her again to try and sort things out and get the important message across to Optimus, but it was different now. Both he and the Prime were here, and neither of them would EVER let anything happen to Raf, nor put him in any sort of danger.

Yet he couldn’t help but be worried. He hated knowing the Decepticons knew who Raf was, he hated knowing that he’d been so close as to have a conversation with one. Yes, it was important, but he just wished that he’d been there. Or knew earlier.

Movement from Optimus pulled him from his thoughts, although he wouldn’t move to follow, not until the Prime had settled in front of the monitor and made room for them.

He was careful with his movements, then again he always was when Raf was on his shoulder. Making his way across the room, standing beside Optimus so the tiny human could be heard loud and clear.

[Raf Esquivel]

Raf was feeling better already. While things had been so awkward and uncomfortable at first, Optimus hadn’t pushed him away or sighed in irritation or any of the other things adults usually did when kids brought up things again and again. Optimus had listened, and Raf didn’t think Optimus would just humour him for so long. He was really listening.

It helped having Bee there, too. Even if Bee wasn’t continually supporting him with soft beeps and trills, nodding along with Optimus and encouraging him so openly. Just knowing Bumblebee was right there behind him...under him, actually....was a big help. Raf trusted Bumblebee even more than Optimus. He trusted Bee with his life, his safety, and trusted him to prevent him from making a fool of himself in front of the Prime.

Just the fact things were moving now, action was being taken....Raf’s stomach felt so much better, and he found it easier to breathe.

Flipping open his phone, Rafael quickly scrolled through the contacts he had. He had been a little worried that his parents might have gone through his phone – from time to time they would check out all their children’s phones – and see a strange name. He couldn’t put her in as “Dart”, “Decepticon Dart” would have been even weirder, and he was worried just “Rachel” might have also drawn attention.

Raf had settled on “Rachel Dart”. He thought it actually sounded like a rather cool name.

His soft voice was clear and strong as he read aloud the numbers to Optimus, going a little slowly so the Prime’s large hands could easily find and press the proper buttons on the monitor’s keypad. Raf watched the process, noting just which glyphs the Prime pressed, which glyphs corresponded to the numbers he was familiar with.

The differences were really interesting!

[Optimus Prime]

As a data clerk long before the war started, there wasn’t even the briefest of pauses or flickers as Rafael listed out the numbers. Squared off fingertips clicked down upon the glyphs on the keyboard, each numerical symbol translating to the earthen equivalent up on the monitor. Once the appropriate ten numbers were reached, Optimus would hit a few additional keys rapid fire, a sort of folder being pulled up and linked quickly, tagging the number onto a small file on Dart that had been made after their first interaction.

The file contained all they knew on the femme. While others had more elaborate files, such as known weaponry or skills so that new soldiers could research and try to have an idea of threats here on Earth, Darts file was... painfully vacant and void. A few notes on general build, notable features such as the helm protrusion, and general colors for recognition... but the rest basically equated to 'fast' and then some sealed notes with the incident with Thundercloud and Carbine, as well as the two chats Dart had with himself. This phone number contact was simply another speck of information to have on hand.

This file was open a moment as the number was pinned, before Optimus imputed the keys to activate the call. The second this was done and it started to connect and ring, he would ease away from the terminal a single step, arms looping down to rest at his sides. He truly intended to keep quiet, there were no thoughts or plans to cut in before Rafael had a moment to chat first. He not only respected the truth the child had spoken earlier, but he was interested in also hearing just how they spoke to one another.

How friendly Dart may be.

Would there be inklings of manipulation? Did she pause awkwardly and filter thoughts to remove the lie? Or would she seem earnest and honest with a natural discussion? It was hard to say, and that mystery is what hung in the air now.

Cyan optics flicked over towards Bumblebee as the phone line rang, before looking up at Rafael.

[Dart]

The phone rang, as all cell-phones did.

Once. Twice. It rang four times.

Then there was the distinct click of a line picking up, and a second later, the voice of a young woman. Her tone careful and polite, as if she'd probably tried out a hundred different greetings and played them back to herself before she'd finally given up and just decided to roll with whatever came out on the last try.

"Hi, you've reached Rachel Decker," she said.

I'm out in the field right now for work, so I may not be able to call you back for a bit. Please leave your name and number, and I'll get back to you as soon as possible, promise. Thank you."

A breathless, unsure pause, as if she might have been thinking of something else to add. Instead, there was a small demanding meow, as if a cat in the background had decided this was the absolutely appropriate time to yell about the lack of breakfast.

*beep*

[Bumblebee]

Bumblebee was quiet as Raf read the numbers aloud. While he had no intention of ever calling Dart, the numbers were recited so slowly that he couldn’t help but somewhat memorize them. What would he do with this information? Probably nothing, but it was just one of those things that may be useful on the offchance he needed it in the future.

His optics would drift up to the monitor as the information was pulled on what little they knew of Dart. The information displayed was so very minimal - a basic description, nothing more. He skimmed it quickly, before the screen switched as Optimus activated the call.

Tensing his frame some as the call was made, and he would look to Optimus - gently nodding as he took a cautious half step forward toward the console. This way Raf wouldn’t have to yell or raise his voice any once Dart picked up, or feel like he wasn’t being heard.

Making sure to leave room at his side for Optimus to stand when it was the Prime’s turn to speak, he waited - listening to the line as it rang.

Four rings. A click.

A voice.

There was a strange feeling of-- relief, at realizing it’d gone straight to voicemail. As much as he knew this conversation was important, something still did not sit right with him at knowing Raf had been so close to a Decepticon, a worry that this discussion would lead to Raf and Dart needing to speak in person again.

But… what were they supposed to do now? What if she didn’t even have the cellphone anymore? It’d been months since Raf had spoken to her, a lot could’ve happened between then and now.

Gently, he’d shift his weight some, looking to Raf, then Optimus.

[Raf Esquivel]

Despite being nervous about the whole thing, Raf had actually been looking forward to talking to Dart again. He had been wondering how she was doing, and if she was ok. As far as he knew, none of the Autobots had been in any fights with any Decepticons lately, so he guessed she probably hadn’t been in danger from them, but she was a Decepticon, and they weren’t exactly nice. He knew they often turned on each other, and he had been a little worried that maybe one of them had found out she had talked to Raf. And that might get her in trouble.

Of all the ways Raf imagined this going, facing Dart’s answering machine was not one of them. He found himself at a loss for a split second, not sure what to do.

Raf was, however, a child of the ages, and when faced with an answering machine, the response was simple enough; you left a message.

From Bumblebee’s shoulder, he leaned forward a little, as if that would make his voice clearer or louder, and spoke.

“Hi Rachel, it’s me! Um... Raphael.” He wasn’t sure if he should give his last name or not. Would she even remember his name? It seemed strange to think that she would still remember who he was, and not the human child she gave the message to. But at the same time, he didn’t know if any of the other Decepticons had access to her phone, and he didn’t want to say anything that might get her in trouble.

His voice sounding upbeat to be talking to her again, Raf nevertheless needed to make sure everything he was saying was safe for everyone.

“I was wondering if you still wanted to borrow my library card to take some books out of the library here. Remember we talked about Mouse’s Tank and some other things, and the favour you asked me? I did some research and ... I think it’s a good idea. I have some friends who would be interested in learning about it, too. Um....”

Raf paused. He knew he couldn’t ask her to call back, as Omega was shielded, but maybe she could call while he was home? He hadn’t given her his number, and he wasn’t sure if piping it through Omega’s monitor would have removed his number from her screen or not.

Raf suddenly had an idea. He had several throw away email addresses he used if he signed up for things online that required entering one. He didn’t want his real email to get all cluttered up with spam, and he knew that email addresses could be used to find out information about people, like where you lived, and things like that. So Raf had a few that were linked to nowhere in particular, using a simple VPN, with made up names and addresses. He quickly went through a list of the ones he had, casting away the ones with stupid email names that he’d rather die than have Optimus or Bee hear.

“I’ll try calling you again in a little while. If you get this message before I can call again, you can let me know a good time to call you. Leave me a message on my email, codeedoc at newwave dot com. That’s “code” spelled forwards and backwards with no spaces.

I’ll...um....talk to you later, then.

Bye.”

Raf looked from the monitor towards Optimus, waiting for him to end the call, nervously.

[Optimus Prime]

While Bumblebee felt relief at it going to voicemail, Optimus was rather dismayed.

The Prime had hoped they would get in contact, and get whatever was going on here rolling. Evaluate what she said and how... see how she answered questions once he got involved and may speak... it was set up to be very informative, and could be beneficial to help protect their team from unknown MECH elements should everything be valid here. He waited at every ring, gaze focused upon the monitor, only for it to cut away and go to voicemail?...

Closing his eyes, Optimus let out a near inaudible sigh through his systems, his weight easing back to favor one side over the other as he settled into rest. While he couldn't speak to her one on one, the answering machine could hopefully offer at least SOMETHING of a clue here. Yet, as it played, it was what most may consider a profoundly uneventful voice message, though there were always things between the lines to be found.

She had an alias that was spoken confidently, and he could only take note of how she said 'out on the field' for work. This had implications to it all on its own, for it could be translated in many ways. It spoke of a role for the Decepticons that was out in the wilderness rather than base aligned or other more cooped up jobs.

It could be a lie of course, Optimus potentially reading far between the lines when it was only nonsense, yet he was leaning into the casual nature of how it was all spoken.

For the best lies were formed of truth.

Optimus may not be profoundly skilled at the art of deception, but he could be observant at times, though... one didn't need to be that observant to notice the sound of an animal letting out a chirp after the brief pause. This caused his eyes to open once more, a sort of confused flick going across his features as he tried to put together what it meant. A Decepticon with an animal under their care?... was the sound clip thrown in there to try to validate it to sound more human and 'authentic'?... It was... weird atop weird and his brows furrowed a bit while staring at the screen with a dumbfounded look.

These thoughts however were set aside abruptly, as Rafael started to leave a message, lying and fabricating a false story seemingly from thin air.

It was smart, for all the reasons the child thought, it was clever, and sounded natural. It could easily be played off as a 'misdial' if needed, not divulging anything sensitive even if it was set up and almost expected for more direct commentary on Cybertronian and individual names. Optimus questioned if he himself could pull such a thing out of thin air with no prompting, and he knew for a solid fact he could not. Long pauses, stilted words, fabricating the lie as he went to translate things into 'code'... Once the message was completed and Rafael looked his way, Optimus reached forward and clicked the key to hang up on the call.

"Feel free to call any time I am at base."

Secure servers with Optimus able to attend instantly should contact be made. Rafael could do so at his leisure from the safety of Omega at varied times when he was available between school and homework, and hopefully something could work out for them. He hoped the phone wasn't a dead burner however, for it would be rather frustrating if on following calls if it suddenly went to an automated voice saying the line had been disconnected.

"It appears Dart has gone to notable measures to play the role of a human."

Question was... why.

[Bumblebee]

As Raf began speaking, Bumblebee would lean forward ever so slightly - just to make sure his voice was picked up and heard. He was careful with his movements, not only so that Raf didn’t slip and tumble from his shoulder, but so that Dart wouldn’t pick up on any excess noise.

He was probably overthinking things, but he didn’t want to give the impression that Raf had a lot of people around him listening in on the conversation. Optimus was a given, since he was the one the message needed to go to, but would anyone else being here ruin things?

He hoped not, and so made a point of being as quiet as possible.

The words spoken confused him for a moment, until he realized that Raf was probably using code words so that the Decepticons - or anyone else listening - would assume it was a normal conversation. While it was probably common sense in a situation like this, Bee couldn’t help but feel proud at how smart Raf was, especially with how nervous he had been only moments prior.

Only once the call had been disconnected did Bumblebee vent out a gentle ex-vent of quiet relief, shifting his position so he was standing up straight once more, he would turn to Optimus.

He was sure that even if Raf called and Optimus wasn’t around, it would not be hard to patch him in using the monitors in the Control Room, and so he’d nod at his first words.

The second statement made him pause, however - tilting his head some in lieu of a shrug, optics whirring some.

--Who knows… Seems weird she has a cellphone, though.--

He hadn’t put too much thought into it, but it was strange that human technology was being used to pass on a message, rather than the traditional comm line.