There is an issue about it actually that is being put up but rather ignored. Basically what happens is that say a gunboat engaged in a fight with a fighter or two. The fighters just keep getting out of range distance on thruster and gunboat cannot chase them on cruise. A good tactic on one hand, but on the other hand a single fighter can annoy capship forever, getting in and out all the time. As far as I know there is no set distance from which you are considered fleeing, if that is right then thrusting away never makes you flee despite the obvious, which is rather absurd.
Given my experience in game I'd say that almost nobody really cares, and absolute majority uses cruise to catch up with faster thrusting ships. Personally I'm fine with it. Got a bit annoyed at first, but then got used to and learned how to get away on a fighter regardless of catching up.
Del, BH can stop and shoot back if being pursued within a visible range. But if you don't chase him and he is fleeing going out of "lock" range - he is out and cannot re-engage. That is as far as I understand it.
