Servility Program

The servility program (追従プログラム tsuishō puroguramu) was a program inherent to all Mini-Cons that bound them to a "Bulk", or larger Transformer. When an Autobot or Decepticon revived or Powerlinked with a Mini-Con the program would make them feel compelled to act with loyalty to that Transformer. Depending on the partner's personality this could have been either a beneficial or psychologically damaging relationship. A Mini-Con can defy the program, though not easily.

Fiction

Linkage

After Rollbar abandoned them after linking with the Transformer Scavenger, Redline explained the nature of the servility program to Stella Holley. Linkage Part 5

Redline planned to use the Master Key to allow all Mini-Cons to evolve, and break the program's hold over them forever. Linkage Part 10

Ask Vector Prime

In Aurex 1104.30-JH Zeta, the time-travelling Megatron gathered several Mini-Cons to his side. However, Wedge Shape was able to defy her programming, and defected to the Maximals. Ask Vector Prime, 2015/08/13