Pytheas is a galactic exploration, vehicle based, construction game. It has been in development since December 2010. A fleet from Earth's Exploratory Force has gone missing; you are sent to find it. After finding the aptly named ship, Pytheas, you could return to earth, report the find, and let a collection of search and rescue efforts do the rest. However, realizing that is boring, you decide to scour the nearby star systems with your brand new, eerily empty inter-stellar mammoth. Pytheas gives players the tools to execute thier ideas without the limitations of a game engine designed with a different purpose in mind. Barriers that limit how you can play are removed to allow for more freedom.
The AI have the same controls as you, no cheating for the CPU. In the current alpha, coming too close to a group of enemy ships will cause them to engage you. They will close to attack and break off. You may notice them doing some barrel rolls on approach. Taking out their stabilizers (marked by the yellow trails) will make it very difficult for them to fly.
The stabilizer effects are also meant to give you an idea of what direction a vehicle is moving with just a glance.