<?xml version="1.0" encoding="US-ASCII"?>
<!-- Generated by DFIN XBRL Schema Document - http://www.dfinsolutions.com/ - on 03-06-2026 11:46:12 PM -->
<!-- Copyright(c) 2026 Donnelley Financial Solutions, Inc. All Rights Reserved. -->
<schema targetNamespace="http://www.virtus.com/20260603" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:vast="http://www.virtus.com/20260603" xmlns:dei="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025" xmlns:srt-types="http://fasb.org/srt-types/2025" xmlns:deprecated="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/deprecated" xmlns:dtr="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/dtr" xmlns:oef="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025" xmlns:ref="http://www.xbrl.org/2006/ref" xmlns:xbrldt="http://xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt" xmlns:xl="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/XLink" xmlns:us-gaap="http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2025" xmlns:oef-pre="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef-pre/2025" xmlns:oef-lab="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef-lab/2025" xmlns:link="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" xmlns:country="http://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2025" xmlns:us-roles="http://fasb.org/us-roles/2025" xmlns:enum2="http://xbrl.org/2020/extensible-enumerations-2.0" xmlns:us-types="http://fasb.org/us-types/2025" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:dtr-types="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/2024-01-31" xmlns:oef-def="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef-def/2025" xmlns:negated="http://www.xbrl.org/2009/role/negated" xmlns:xbrldi="http://xbrl.org/2006/xbrldi" xmlns:srt="http://fasb.org/srt/2025" xmlns:oef-sr="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef-sr/2025" xmlns:srt-roles="http://fasb.org/srt-roles/2025" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:xbrli="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance" xmlns:stpr="http://xbrl.sec.gov/stpr/2025" elementFormDefault="qualified">
	<import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/instance" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-instance-2003-12-31.xsd"/>
	<import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/linkbase" schemaLocation="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/xbrl-linkbase-2003-12-31.xsd"/>
	<import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025" schemaLocation="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd"/>
	<import namespace="http://fasb.org/us-types/2025" schemaLocation="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-types-2025.xsd"/>
	<import namespace="http://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/2024-01-31" schemaLocation="https://www.xbrl.org/dtr/type/2024-01-31/types.xsd"/>   
	<import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2025" schemaLocation="https://xbrl.sec.gov/country/2025/country-2025.xsd"/>
	<import namespace="http://fasb.org/srt/2025" schemaLocation="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd"/>
	<import namespace="http://fasb.org/srt-types/2025" schemaLocation="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-types-2025.xsd"/>
	<import namespace="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef-sr/2025" schemaLocation="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-sr-2025.xsd"/>
	<import namespace="http://fasb.org/us-gaap/2025" schemaLocation="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd"/>
	<import namespace="http://fasb.org/us-roles/2025" schemaLocation="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-roles-2025.xsd"/>
	<import namespace="http://fasb.org/srt-roles/2025" schemaLocation="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-roles-2025.xsd"/>
	<annotation>
		<appinfo>
			<link:linkbase id="lnk">
				<link:arcroleRef arcroleURI="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="http://www.xbrl.org/2005/xbrldt-2005.xsd#domain-member"/>
				<link:roleRef roleURI="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/role/ShareholderReport" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#ShareholderReport"/>
				<link:roleRef roleURI="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/role/ShareholderReportHoldingsDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#ShareholderReportHoldingsDetails"/>
				<link:roleRef roleURI="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/role/ShareholderReportLineGraphDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#ShareholderReportLineGraphDetails"/>
				<link:roleRef roleURI="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/role/ShareholderReportAverageAnnualReturnDetails" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#ShareholderReportAverageAnnualReturnDetails"/>
				<link:roleRef roleURI="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/role/ClassOnly" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#ClassOnly"/>
				<link:roleRef roleURI="http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/eedm/ExtensibleEnumerationLists" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-roles-2025.xsd#eedm"/>
				<link:roleRef roleURI="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/role/LargestHoldingOnly" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#LargestHoldingOnly"/>
				<link:roleRef roleURI="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/role/Other1CategoryOnly" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#Other1CategoryOnly"/>
				<link:roleRef roleURI="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/role/AdditionalIndexOnly" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#AdditionalIndexOnly"/>
				<link:roleRef roleURI="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/role/BroadBasedIndexOnly" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#BroadBasedIndexOnly"/>
				<link:roleRef roleURI="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/role/Other2CategoryOnly" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#Other2CategoryOnly"/>
				<link:roleRef roleURI="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/role/SalesLoadOnly" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#SalesLoadOnly"/>
				<link:roleRef roleURI="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/role/MaturityOnly" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#MaturityOnly"/>
				<link:roleRef roleURI="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/role/IndustrySectorOnly" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#IndustrySectorOnly"/>
				<link:roleRef roleURI="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/role/CreditQualityOnly" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#CreditQualityOnly"/>
				<link:roleRef roleURI="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/role/GeographicRegionOnly" xlink:type="simple" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#GeographicRegionOnly"/>
				<link:presentationLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/role/ShareholderReport">              
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#oef_ShareClassDomain" xlink:label="ShareClassDomain"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_C000159803Member" xlink:label="C000159803Member"/>
					<link:presentationArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/parent-child" xlink:from="ShareClassDomain" xlink:to="C000159803Member" order="2.0" />
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_C000159801Member" xlink:label="C000159801Member"/>
					<link:presentationArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/parent-child" xlink:from="ShareClassDomain" xlink:to="C000159801Member" order="3.0" />
				</link:presentationLink>
				<link:presentationLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/role/ShareholderReportHoldingsDetails">               
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#oef_ShareClassDomain" xlink:label="ShareClassDomain"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_C000159803Member" xlink:label="C000159803Member"/>
					<link:presentationArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/parent-child" xlink:from="ShareClassDomain" xlink:to="C000159803Member" order="2.0" />
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_C000159801Member" xlink:label="C000159801Member"/>
					<link:presentationArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/parent-child" xlink:from="ShareClassDomain" xlink:to="C000159801Member" order="3.0" />   
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:label="InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_PetroleumTransportationAndStorageSecuritiesMember" xlink:label="PetroleumTransportationAndStorageSecuritiesMember"/>
					<link:presentationArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/parent-child" xlink:from="InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:to="PetroleumTransportationAndStorageSecuritiesMember" order="2.0" />
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_DiversifiedSecuritiesMember" xlink:label="DiversifiedSecuritiesMember"/>
					<link:presentationArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/parent-child" xlink:from="InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:to="DiversifiedSecuritiesMember" order="3.0" />
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_MasterLimitedPartnershipsMember" xlink:label="MasterLimitedPartnershipsMember"/>
					<link:presentationArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/parent-child" xlink:from="InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:to="MasterLimitedPartnershipsMember" order="4.0" />
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_DownstreamOtherMember" xlink:label="DownstreamOtherMember"/>
					<link:presentationArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/parent-child" xlink:from="InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:to="DownstreamOtherMember" order="5.0" />
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_UpstreamMember" xlink:label="UpstreamMember"/>
					<link:presentationArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/parent-child" xlink:from="InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:to="UpstreamMember" order="6.0" />
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_PetroleumTransportationAndStorageMember" xlink:label="PetroleumTransportationAndStorageMember"/>
					<link:presentationArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/parent-child" xlink:from="InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:to="PetroleumTransportationAndStorageMember" order="7.0" />
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_LiquefiedNaturalGasMember" xlink:label="LiquefiedNaturalGasMember"/>
					<link:presentationArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/parent-child" xlink:from="InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:to="LiquefiedNaturalGasMember" order="8.0" />
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_ElectricLDCAndPowerMember" xlink:label="ElectricLDCAndPowerMember"/>
					<link:presentationArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/parent-child" xlink:from="InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:to="ElectricLDCAndPowerMember" order="9.0" />
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_NaturalGasPipelinesMember" xlink:label="NaturalGasPipelinesMember"/>
					<link:presentationArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/parent-child" xlink:from="InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:to="NaturalGasPipelinesMember" order="10.0" />
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_DiversifiedMember" xlink:label="DiversifiedMember"/>
					<link:presentationArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/parent-child" xlink:from="InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:to="DiversifiedMember" order="11.0" />
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember" xlink:label="CommonStockMember"/>
					<link:presentationArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/parent-child" xlink:from="InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:to="CommonStockMember" order="12.0" />
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#oef_MaturityDomain" xlink:label="MaturityDomain"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#oef_OtherCategory1Domain" xlink:label="OtherCategory1Domain"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#oef_OtherCategory2Domain" xlink:label="OtherCategory2Domain"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#oef_LargestHoldingsDomain" xlink:label="LargestHoldingsDomain"/>
					<!--GeographicRegionDomain Only presentation and label linkbases-->			 
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#oef_GeographicRegionDomain" xlink:label="GeographicRegionDomain"/>
					<!--IndustrySectorDomain Only presentation and label linkbases-->	
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#oef_IndustrySectorDomain" xlink:label="IndustrySectorDomain"/>	
					<!--CreditQualityDomain Only presentation and label linkbases-->	
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#oef_CreditQualityDomain" xlink:label="CreditQualityDomain"/>	
					<!--ExternalCreditRatingFitchMember Only presentation and label linkbases-->	
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ExternalCreditRatingFitchMember" xlink:label="ExternalCreditRatingFitchMember"/>
					<link:presentationArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/parent-child" xlink:from="CreditQualityDomain" xlink:to="ExternalCreditRatingFitchMember" xbrldt:usable="false" order="1.0"/>
					<!--ExternalCreditRatingMoodysMember Only presentation and label linkbases-->	
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ExternalCreditRatingMoodysMember" xlink:label="ExternalCreditRatingMoodysMember"/>
					<link:presentationArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/parent-child" xlink:from="CreditQualityDomain" xlink:to="ExternalCreditRatingMoodysMember" xbrldt:usable="false" order="2.1"/>
					<!--ExternalCreditRatingStandardPoorsMember Only presentation and label linkbases-->	
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_ExternalCreditRatingStandardPoorsMember" xlink:label="ExternalCreditRatingStandardPoorsMember"/>
					<link:presentationArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/parent-child" xlink:from="CreditQualityDomain" xlink:to="ExternalCreditRatingStandardPoorsMember" xbrldt:usable="false" order="3.1"/>
					<!--CreditRatingAMBestDomain Only presentation and label linkbases-->	
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/srt/2025/elts/srt-2025.xsd#srt_CreditRatingAMBestDomain" xlink:label="CreditRatingAMBestDomain"/>
					<link:presentationArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/parent-child" xlink:from="CreditQualityDomain" xlink:to="CreditRatingAMBestDomain" xbrldt:usable="false" order="4.1"/>
				</link:presentationLink>
				<link:presentationLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/role/ShareholderReportLineGraphDetails">            
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#oef_ShareClassDomain" xlink:label="ShareClassDomain"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_C000159803Member" xlink:label="C000159803Member"/>
					<link:presentationArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/parent-child" xlink:from="ShareClassDomain" xlink:to="C000159803Member" order="2.0" />
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_C000159801Member" xlink:label="C000159801Member"/>
					<link:presentationArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/parent-child" xlink:from="ShareClassDomain" xlink:to="C000159801Member" order="3.0" />
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#oef_AdditionalIndexDomain" xlink:label="AdditionalIndexDomain"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#oef_BroadBasedIndexDomain" xlink:label="BroadBasedIndexDomain"/>
				</link:presentationLink>
				<link:presentationLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/role/ShareholderReportAverageAnnualReturnDetails">            
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#oef_ShareClassDomain" xlink:label="ShareClassDomain"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_C000159803Member" xlink:label="C000159803Member"/>
					<link:presentationArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/parent-child" xlink:from="ShareClassDomain" xlink:to="C000159803Member" order="2.0" />
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_C000159801Member" xlink:label="C000159801Member"/>
					<link:presentationArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/parent-child" xlink:from="ShareClassDomain" xlink:to="C000159801Member" order="3.0" />
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#oef_AdditionalIndexDomain" xlink:label="AdditionalIndexDomain"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#oef_BroadBasedIndexDomain" xlink:label="BroadBasedIndexDomain"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#oef_WithSalesLoadMember" xlink:label="WithSalesLoadMember"/>
				</link:presentationLink>
				<link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/role/ClassOnly">               
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#oef_ShareClassDomain" xlink:label="ShareClassDomain"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_C000159803Member" xlink:label="C000159803Member"/>
					<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareClassDomain" xlink:to="C000159803Member" order="1.0"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_C000159801Member" xlink:label="C000159801Member"/>
					<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="ShareClassDomain" xlink:to="C000159801Member" order="2.0"/>
				</link:definitionLink>
				<link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/role/Other1CategoryOnly">               
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#oef_OtherCategory1Domain" xlink:label="OtherCategory1Domain"/>
				</link:definitionLink>
				<link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/role/Other2CategoryOnly">               
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#oef_OtherCategory2Domain" xlink:label="OtherCategory2Domain"/>
				</link:definitionLink>
				<link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/role/LargestHoldingOnly">               
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#oef_LargestHoldingsDomain" xlink:label="LargestHoldingsDomain"/>
				</link:definitionLink>
				<link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/role/SalesLoadOnly">
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#oef_WithSalesLoadMember" xlink:label="WithSalesLoadMember"/>
				</link:definitionLink>
				<link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://fasb.org/us-gaap/role/eedm/ExtensibleEnumerationLists">               
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:label="InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_PetroleumTransportationAndStorageSecuritiesMember" xlink:label="PetroleumTransportationAndStorageSecuritiesMember"/>
					<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:to="PetroleumTransportationAndStorageSecuritiesMember" order="1.0"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_DiversifiedSecuritiesMember" xlink:label="DiversifiedSecuritiesMember"/>
					<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:to="DiversifiedSecuritiesMember" order="2.0"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_MasterLimitedPartnershipsMember" xlink:label="MasterLimitedPartnershipsMember"/>
					<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:to="MasterLimitedPartnershipsMember" order="3.0"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_DownstreamOtherMember" xlink:label="DownstreamOtherMember"/>
					<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:to="DownstreamOtherMember" order="4.0"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_UpstreamMember" xlink:label="UpstreamMember"/>
					<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:to="UpstreamMember" order="5.0"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_PetroleumTransportationAndStorageMember" xlink:label="PetroleumTransportationAndStorageMember"/>
					<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:to="PetroleumTransportationAndStorageMember" order="6.0"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_LiquefiedNaturalGasMember" xlink:label="LiquefiedNaturalGasMember"/>
					<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:to="LiquefiedNaturalGasMember" order="7.0"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_ElectricLDCAndPowerMember" xlink:label="ElectricLDCAndPowerMember"/>
					<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:to="ElectricLDCAndPowerMember" order="8.0"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_NaturalGasPipelinesMember" xlink:label="NaturalGasPipelinesMember"/>
					<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:to="NaturalGasPipelinesMember" order="9.0"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_DiversifiedMember" xlink:label="DiversifiedMember"/>
					<link:definitionArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://xbrl.org/int/dim/arcrole/domain-member" xlink:from="InvestmentTypeCategorizationMember" xlink:to="DiversifiedMember" order="10.0"/>
				</link:definitionLink>
				<link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/role/BroadBasedIndexOnly">               
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#oef_BroadBasedIndexDomain" xlink:label="BroadBasedIndexDomain"/>
				</link:definitionLink>
				<link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/role/AdditionalIndexOnly">              
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#oef_AdditionalIndexDomain" xlink:label="AdditionalIndexDomain"/>
				</link:definitionLink>
				<link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/role/MaturityOnly">
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#oef_MaturityDomain" xlink:label="MaturityDomain"/>
				</link:definitionLink>
				<link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/role/IndustrySectorOnly">
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#oef_IndustrySectorDomain" xlink:label="IndustrySectorDomain"/>
				</link:definitionLink>
				<link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/role/CreditQualityOnly">
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#oef_CreditQualityDomain" xlink:label="CreditQualityDomain"/>
				</link:definitionLink>
				<!--GeographicRegionOnly use only for STPR-->
				<link:definitionLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/role/GeographicRegionOnly">
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/oef/2025/oef-2025.xsd#oef_GeographicRegionDomain" xlink:label="GeographicRegionDomain"/>
				</link:definitionLink>
				<link:labelLink xlink:type="extended" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/link">               
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_PetroleumTransportationAndStorageSecuritiesMember" xlink:label="PetroleumTransportationAndStorageSecuritiesMember"/>
					<link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_PetroleumTransportationAndStorageSecuritiesMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xml:lang="en-US">Petroleum Transportation And Storage Securities [Member]</link:label>
					<link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="PetroleumTransportationAndStorageSecuritiesMember" xlink:to="label_PetroleumTransportationAndStorageSecuritiesMember"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_DiversifiedSecuritiesMember" xlink:label="DiversifiedSecuritiesMember"/>
					<link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DiversifiedSecuritiesMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xml:lang="en-US">Diversified Securities [Member]</link:label>
					<link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DiversifiedSecuritiesMember" xlink:to="label_DiversifiedSecuritiesMember"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_MasterLimitedPartnershipsMember" xlink:label="MasterLimitedPartnershipsMember"/>
					<link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_MasterLimitedPartnershipsMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xml:lang="en-US">Master Limited Partnerships [Member]</link:label>
					<link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="MasterLimitedPartnershipsMember" xlink:to="label_MasterLimitedPartnershipsMember"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_DownstreamOtherMember" xlink:label="DownstreamOtherMember"/>
					<link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DownstreamOtherMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xml:lang="en-US">Downstream Other [Member]</link:label>
					<link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DownstreamOtherMember" xlink:to="label_DownstreamOtherMember"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_UpstreamMember" xlink:label="UpstreamMember"/>
					<link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_UpstreamMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xml:lang="en-US">Upstream [Member]</link:label>
					<link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="UpstreamMember" xlink:to="label_UpstreamMember"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_PetroleumTransportationAndStorageMember" xlink:label="PetroleumTransportationAndStorageMember"/>
					<link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_PetroleumTransportationAndStorageMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xml:lang="en-US">Petroleum Transportation And Storage [Member]</link:label>
					<link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="PetroleumTransportationAndStorageMember" xlink:to="label_PetroleumTransportationAndStorageMember"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_LiquefiedNaturalGasMember" xlink:label="LiquefiedNaturalGasMember"/>
					<link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_LiquefiedNaturalGasMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xml:lang="en-US">Liquefied Natural Gas [Member]</link:label>
					<link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="LiquefiedNaturalGasMember" xlink:to="label_LiquefiedNaturalGasMember"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_ElectricLDCAndPowerMember" xlink:label="ElectricLDCAndPowerMember"/>
					<link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_ElectricLDCAndPowerMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xml:lang="en-US">Electric LDC And Power [Member]</link:label>
					<link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="ElectricLDCAndPowerMember" xlink:to="label_ElectricLDCAndPowerMember"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_NaturalGasPipelinesMember" xlink:label="NaturalGasPipelinesMember"/>
					<link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NaturalGasPipelinesMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xml:lang="en-US">Natural Gas Pipelines [Member]</link:label>
					<link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="NaturalGasPipelinesMember" xlink:to="label_NaturalGasPipelinesMember"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_DiversifiedMember" xlink:label="DiversifiedMember"/>
					<link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_DiversifiedMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xml:lang="en-US">Diversified [Member]</link:label>
					<link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="DiversifiedMember" xlink:to="label_DiversifiedMember"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_C000159803Member" xlink:label="C000159803Member"/>
					<link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_C000159803Member" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xml:lang="en-US">C000159803 [Member]</link:label>
					<link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="C000159803Member" xlink:to="label_C000159803Member"/>
										<link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_C000159803Member_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xml:lang="en-US">Class I</link:label>
					<link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="C000159803Member" xlink:to="label_C000159803Member_2"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="#vast_C000159801Member" xlink:label="C000159801Member"/>
					<link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_C000159801Member" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xml:lang="en-US">C000159801 [Member]</link:label>
					<link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="C000159801Member" xlink:to="label_C000159801Member"/>
										<link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_C000159801Member_2" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/terseLabel" xml:lang="en-US">Class A</link:label>
					<link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="C000159801Member" xlink:to="label_C000159801Member_2"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_CommonStockMember" xlink:label="CommonStockMember"/>
					<link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_CommonStockMember" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xml:lang="en-US">Common Stock [Member]</link:label>
					<link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="CommonStockMember" xlink:to="label_CommonStockMember"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentTypeAxis" xlink:label="InvestmentTypeAxis"/>
					<link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InvestmentTypeAxis" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xml:lang="en-US">Investment Type [Axis]</link:label>
					<link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InvestmentTypeAxis" xlink:to="label_InvestmentTypeAxis" priority="1"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_AssetsNet" xlink:label="AssetsNet"/>
					<link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_AssetsNet" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xml:lang="en-US">Net Assets</link:label>
					<link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="AssetsNet" xlink:to="label_AssetsNet" priority="1"/>
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.fasb.org/us-gaap/2025/elts/us-gaap-2025.xsd#us-gaap_InvestmentCompanyPortfolioTurnover" xlink:label="InvestmentCompanyPortfolioTurnover"/>
					<link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_InvestmentCompanyPortfolioTurnover" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xml:lang="en-US">Investment Company Portfolio Turnover</link:label>
					<link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="InvestmentCompanyPortfolioTurnover" xlink:to="label_InvestmentCompanyPortfolioTurnover" priority="1"/>                
					<link:loc xlink:type="locator" xlink:href="https://xbrl.sec.gov/dei/2025/dei-2025.xsd#dei_NoTradingSymbolFlag" xlink:label="dei_NoTradingSymbolFlag"/>
					<link:label xlink:type="resource" xlink:label="label_NoTradingSymbolFlag" xlink:role="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/label" xml:lang="en-US">No Trading Symbol Flag</link:label>
					<link:labelArc xlink:type="arc" xlink:arcrole="http://www.xbrl.org/2003/arcrole/concept-label" xlink:from="dei_NoTradingSymbolFlag" xlink:to="label_NoTradingSymbolFlag" priority="1"/>		
				</link:labelLink>
			</link:linkbase>
		</appinfo>
	</annotation>   
	<element name="PetroleumTransportationAndStorageSecuritiesMember" id="vast_PetroleumTransportationAndStorageSecuritiesMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
	<element name="DiversifiedSecuritiesMember" id="vast_DiversifiedSecuritiesMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
	<element name="MasterLimitedPartnershipsMember" id="vast_MasterLimitedPartnershipsMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
	<element name="DownstreamOtherMember" id="vast_DownstreamOtherMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
	<element name="UpstreamMember" id="vast_UpstreamMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
	<element name="PetroleumTransportationAndStorageMember" id="vast_PetroleumTransportationAndStorageMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
	<element name="LiquefiedNaturalGasMember" id="vast_LiquefiedNaturalGasMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
	<element name="ElectricLDCAndPowerMember" id="vast_ElectricLDCAndPowerMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
	<element name="NaturalGasPipelinesMember" id="vast_NaturalGasPipelinesMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
	<element name="DiversifiedMember" id="vast_DiversifiedMember" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
	<element name="C000159803Member" id="vast_C000159803Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
	<element name="C000159801Member" id="vast_C000159801Member" type="dtr-types:domainItemType" substitutionGroup="xbrli:item" abstract="true" nillable="true" xbrli:periodType="duration"/>
</schema>
