#that counts

The autobots have had it rough these last 300 years. Losing not one but two leaders, losing their ability to live in iacon, AND losing citizen rights, It's quite the strain on the faction. Very few remain, most quitting outright and few even joining the decepticons. But those who remain stay strong despite it all. well. mostly.

Bumblebee's in quite the bind. How can he stay with the people who've abandoned him? How can he accept the burden on leadership he never wanted? short answer: He doesn't but the others seem to think he'll come around. They're family afterall.

Ratchet. Poor, old, foolish, Ratchet. Blinded by the way the world could be after almost drowning in what it is. Ratchet's the actual leader of the group by sheer passion for the cause, and won't hesitate to go to extremes to keep others in line. Some part of him knows the ship is sinking but he can't jump off now. Who would he be if not for the autobots?

Arcee keeps living through one battle after another. First the arena, then the war, and now through a coup to overthrow the government! She holds no resentment for those who didn't stay, she can't blame them for trying to survive at all. They just inspire to fight more. For the sake of everyone, they have to succeed.

Mirage never thought he'd have to return to the iacon he left behind when he got drafted. Once uppity and spoiled compared to his peers, now he finds himself simply unable to live with the Iacon high class. Not to say he won't abuse what little privilege that can afford him and his allies now. He's learned to survive with his wit, and will continue to do so now.

You could ask Perceptor why he stayed with the autobots and come out with the amount of information you had when you asked. To them, it's the most obvious place to be. They, Wheeljack and Elita had been holding the fort on the corpse of cybertron for years, and were able to better the cause for it. You think they'll abandon all that research now?