It certainly looks like it. Do you mind if I ask what happened? [and his optics flick unmistakably to the battle damage down Knock Out's face. He steps a little closer and spreads his wings for Knock Out's appraisal while he contemplates exactly how honest to be about his answer re: the war.

It's not that he wants to lie, it's just that this is terrible for morale.]

The Decepticons lost. The Autobots rounded us all up and made us live in the barrel of a gun, put inhibitor chips in our heads to execute us if we stepped out of line. [he sounds weirdly calm about this, though. Possibly because he's already working his way into a more favorable position--or he was.] I don't recommend that tactic, by the way. Losing, I mean.