PDC Ships head for corners

[Greybeard]

I built several PDC ships to accompany a troop transport to a planet with multiple missle platforms. I also sent a DUC ship. I had set the empire fleet orders to break formation. The fleet orders were capture planet. The PDC and DUC ships were set to optimum range. The troop ship's orders were capture planet.

In the replay, the DUC ship approached the planet and was eliminated. The PDC ships headed for the corners and didn't move. After the DUC ship was eliminated, the troop ship approached the planet and was lost with all aboard %^(

I had no other weapons on the PDC ships (but did have shields). Would they have gone to the planet with the troop ship had I placed another weapon on them, or would the troop ship have waited until all of the weapons platforms were destroyed before dropping troops.

This is in only the second simultaneous game I've played, so I haven't had much time to experiment. Can anyone give me some advice?

Thanks...Greybeard