Multiplayer gamers out there, need some input

[Grayhorse]

OK, a friend and I are doing our first multiplayer game. Im in space combat with an AI race. Now my question is this, how can I give my ships specific orders to do in combat? I like being able to manually control my ships, but with simultaneous movement, cant. SO how do I do this so that my ships will take there equipment into consideration in a better way?

I went into combat with 3 cruisers on an enemy planet. My ships weapons were range 8 weapons. Yet, the dumb computer had them close to point blank range and I lost all 3 to his weapon platforms. There has got to be a way to get around this. Any help would be appreciated.