The abstract distance between distance bands is not equal yeah? For example the distance between long and extreme is meant to be farther than for example close to medium yeah?

So it's 7 manoeuvres to get from extreme to engaged in a fight. 3: extreme-long. 2 long-medium. 1 medium-short. 1 short-engaged.

(And not 4).

Correct. It's 7 maneuvers to go from extreme to engaged or from engaged to extreme range.

There are cases that might reduce this, such as when the objects in question are both moving towards each other, but against a static object you're looking at 7 maneuvers.

Or terrain features like the Old Road card that makes moving between long and medium 1 maneuver.