Actually this is really close to the world for the story that you sequeled. A plague was released and it had a 96% mortality rate. So engineers that had quarantined off cities ripped them from the ground and sent them aloft. At least that was my original idea. Anyway, I like this story, especially the part about the Statue of Liberty feeling sad. And there are qood questions to be asked like Why does he get to live?

Ah, the wonders of 1024 characters :D