Yes. Gero likely reprogrammed Androids #17 & #18 because they almost killed them in the present timeline, and then he likely programmed #16 to be just as evil.
I also just realized that he already tried killing Goku but Piccolo got in the way, and then he tried killing the z fighter who pissed him off the most after Goku and Piccolo since Krillin cut off his tail.
This is an interesting observation you brought up. I actually agree that most DBZ fans like Krillin and that most DBZ fans like him more than Yamcha and Tenshinhan.
I would like to see Judeau, Corkus, Pippin, and Gaston again at the end of Berserk. I just think it might be too happy an ending if that happened. Miura also wanted the ending to be bittersweet too.
I think she might try to fight it eventually. Guts has gotten to the point where he can withstand it for example. And her hatred of him is most likely almost Black Swordsman Arc Guts’ level.