I would tend to think that it is a reloading thing. If so it would be helpful if that were part of the how to play section. Seems it would be important enough. It would also seem logical to think that is a ship has to fire at the closest target then that is the side that is reloaded.

Something still does not seem right as the computer still did the numbers based on firing at a target that was not the closest one. Why do the numbers if only the closest enemy ship could in fact be the target.