The order flags are used exclusively to tell the computer player how to use an object capable of receiving orders. The computer player essentially considers the value of sending every ship to any other ship or base in the level, one at a time.
| order flag name | function |
| stronger than target | not used |
| target is base | prefers target which is a base |
| target is not base | preferes a target which is not a base |
| target is local | prefers a target which is nearby |
| target is remote | prefers a target which is not nearby |
| ony escort not base | not used |
| target is friend | prefers a friendly target |
| target is foe | prefers unfriendly target |
| bits 9... 18 | unused |
| hard matching friend | not used |
| hard matching foe | strongly prefers unfriendly object whose level key flags match this object's order key flags |
| hard friendly escort only | not used |
| hard no friendly escort | not used |
| hard target is remote | strongly prefers target which is not nearby |
| hard target is local | strongly prefers target which is nearby |
| hard target is foe | strongly prefers a target which is unfriendly |
| hard target is friend | strongly prefers a target which is friendly |
| hard target is not base | strongly prefers an object which is not a base |
| hard target is base | strongly prefers a target which is a base |
| order key A | is order key flag A set? |
| order key B | is order key flag B set? |
| order key C | is order key flag C set? |
| order key D | is order key flag D set? |