New Player and a question

[sgsmitty]

I bought Distant Worlds Legends et al yesterday and have started figuring the game. I find it interesting so far. I did notice something odd that maybe someone could explain. I have a construction ship that I am playing with (not automated). I instruct it to build a research lab which a does (any way to see % complete?). When it finishes and I move it over a little I instruct it to build another. Once I do that, it takes off on its' own and returns to base, takes on fuel (it had well over half left) then returns and builds the lab. Why would it do that? It had plenty of fuel.
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One time I notice it ignored my command, went off to space and sat there with no orders. I have only seen it do this once though.

Any thoughts?
Thanks

*UPDATE* My construction ship, after completing a energy research station bolted off into space on its' own and sits there. Odd

[Panpiper]

Your constructor isn't taking on fuel, but the raw materials needed to build it's next project, the lab you just ordered. As for it just taking off on it's own into nearby space, it probably spotted a pirate or monster and did what it was programmed to do, which was to retreat to stay safe. If it had been on automatic, it would have returned later to finish.

[sgsmitty]

Ahh. Makes sense on both parts. Wow, thanks for the quick reply.

[Dracus]

they need resources, they will go fill up between builds.