help on enemy a.i on top down shooter

hello. am creating a top down shooter and i need my enemy to be able move in a certain path and once they see the player they move to there respective point for cover.gladly appreciate it.thank you very much <img src="smileys/smiley1.gif" border="0" align="middle" />

That's tricky stuff, start by playing with "pathfinding behavior"

You would have to give them decision variables, to give an impression of A.I and create some randomness to their actions...