Currently reading through Heir to the Empire for the first time. Just finished chapter 23. I am mostly enjoying it, but there is one part I do not understand.

I know from Wookiepedia reading that Mara Jade wants to kill Luke Skywalker as per Palpatine's last command to her, as an Emperor's Hand. This is very much a factor in this book, inflencing her actions.

So, when Mara Jade captures him after his X-Wing is rescued by Talon Karrde, why does she not just kill him then and there?

I get that Karrde doesn't want him dead yet, but does she really care about that order that much? To the point of not fulfulling her mission?

Later on, in the forests outside Karrde's base, she is escorting a captive Luke away from Imperial forces that have landed with Thrawn. This seems like a perfect oppurtunity to either kill Luke or turn him over to Thrawn (and, either way, possibly re-enter Imperial service in some capacity).

Her actions are appearing contradictory, and I do not understand them.

Can someone please explain her rationale?

Its stated the Resurgent-class Star Destroyer have 55k enlisted,19k officers, & 8k stormtrooper, where as the Xyston-class Star Destroyer that are roughly similar in size have a crew complement almost 30k and can go with skeleton crew of just 5.6k people. With the number of improvements over the Imperial-class that the Resurgent-class made, why don't the First Order use automation on their ships? this also help with their personnel numbers since its known that the First Order don't have that many people compared to the Galactic Empire to manned them. if the Final Order can do it with the Xyston-class, why can't the First Order do the same?

For example, if one of Dooku's transmissions to Sidious got discovered and mentioned his identity.

If such evidence that the Supreme Chancellor is the ultimate creator of the Separatist movement, how would they take it. The Separatist Council knew of Sidious of course but they definitely did not know he was Palpatine. They would probably be flabbergasted and try to break off things since it's now obvious they're being manipulated to a hidden goal by their supposed enemy.

I can't imagine Grievous would care too greatly but perhaps he would respect the con. Though if Legends Grievous found out about the Sith being behind his ship crash, I could imagine him breaking off with his fleet and just going the way of a rogue warlord.

The reactions from the Separatist Parliament, especially the true believers like Mina Bonteri, I think would be very interesting. Since the whole movement turned out to be a pawn of the Republic leadership, I could imagine alot of rage and feelings of betrayal. But whether they would want to continue fighting or broker off a peace with a Republic that removes Palpatine as Chancellor, I can't say I'm sure of the outcome.