Project Dreadnought

The Decepticons represent the highest form of life in the galaxy, destined to create the Decepticon Empire to bring order to a chaotic universe. The ultimate embodiment of that destiny, Project Dreadnought entails nothing less than transforming Cybertron itself into the Empire's mobile capital, enforcing the rule of its populace across the galaxy.

Or at least it would be, were it not for that upstart.

Fiction

Marvel The Transformers comics

In the opening stages of the Great War, the Decepticon army quickly overwhelmed the disorganized Autobot resistance. Confident at an easy victory, Megatron promised to his army that they would then rebuild their world into the ultimate weapon and begin conquering other planets. The Transformers

Transformers '84

As the war ground on, Megatron began diverting more resources away from Project Dreadnought. After hearing Starscream's comment about Megatron's vendetta with Optimus Prime, Shockwave test-fired one of the partly completed planetary turbines, diverting Cybertron towards the Stellae Cimeterium to try and force Megatron to refocus on the Project, and eventually galactic conquest, once again only for Megatron's obsession with Optimus to win out. Secrets & Lies #1

When Optimus Prime's gambit with the Ark had removed Megatron from the equation, Shockwave, after ensuring that there were no loose ends, intended to return to Cybertron and reboot Dreadnought. Secrets & Lies #2

As part of Shockwave's plans, Straxus was made Regional Liege. When Shockwave's plans went pear shaped and he himself became trapped on Earth, Straxus quickly grew content in his new position as Decepticon leader. As he enjoyed the sights of the smelting pool, he gave Counterpunch full access to whatever resources he needed to reactive Project Dreadnought. While Counterpunch appreciated the irony of the Project continuing without Shockwave, Punch went right to Ultra Magnus with this development, a briefing that resulted in the founding of Wreckers to destroy the planetary turbines. Secrets & Lies #3

As work on the project continued, Straxus posted Abominus to guard the central hub in Stanix. When the Wreckers arrived on their inaugural mission, only Twin Twist and Topspin managed to avoid the combiner, burrowing underground to the planetary turbines. Though the duo were pinned down by more Decepticons, they managed to plant their explosives, retreating back to the surface just before Project Dreadnought came to an explosive end. While Punch later reflected that the victory was objectively quite a small one in the grand scheme of things, it did inspire Ultra Magnus' new approach to command for the rest of the conflict. Secrets & Lies #4