I know episode 5 is at least 4 days old and I am being a slowpoke, but it’s kinda obvious that Cortana is indeed alive. Here is a pic too btw.
I suspect she is somehow merged with the Librarian. I think Spartan Ops is going to lead into Halo 5, or whatever fiction bridges them and Halo 5, in interesting ways. Looking forward to it.
Also… Cortana! :’)