[quote]1. How are they still alive? Did they magically warp off of reach when it was decimated or was there some forunner wizardry at hand?[/quote]A handful of SPARTAN-IIs that survived landfall and the subsequent Covenant assaults, made there way to CASTLE Base, where they took refuge with Dr. Halsey. The Master Chief and co. returned to Reach to look for survivors and found the Oly Oly Oxen Free code being played. Knowing some of his team mates were alive, the Mater Chief rescued them. After conducting Operation: FIRST STRIKE, they returned to Earth. [quote]2. Linda DIED. There was even an easter egg about it in Halo CE Anniversary. How could she possible still be around.[/quote]She was clinically dead. The Chief put her in cryo with the possibility of her being revived by skilled medical professionals. Before the Autumn crashed on Alpha Halo, it ejected any remaining active cryo pods into space. After Halo's destruction, the Master Chief and Cortana picked up Linda's Cryopod. Dr. Halsey, with the aid of a flash cloning kit, was able to successfully revive Linda.