If the enemy's y-coordinate is equal to your y-coordinate, then the two of you must be on the same axis. i.e. there is a potential direct line-of-fire between you and the enemy. When Torque detects that the enemy has the same y-coordinate as itself, then he jumps to a routine which depends on Torque's current heading.
If the enemy is to the side of Torque, then this routine determines whether it would be safer to:
b) move off the same axis as the enemy. If Torque move's onto an enemy's y-axis, when that enemy is facing directly towards him, then it is foolish to turn and fight, because the enemy has probably already launched a missile. Instead of this, Torque will immediately move forward or backward and try a different tactic.
b) perform an evasive maneuver if the enemy is behind him.