Votoms Finder (Votoms Finder Armored Trooperoid)

It's not like I've always dreamed of flying high.

But, it's not like I've never had the wings to do so either.

Soaring wherever I please, with my grand, invisible wings.

VOTOMS FINDER

Hey, Aki!

I hope you're looking forward to today's lunch.

Sure.

We made a killing yesterday, so I splurged a bit!

Sure.

So, what do ya say?

Sure—

OWW! What the hell, A.B.?

If you're gonna be a lazy bum, at least give me a proper answer!

What's with you, anyway?

What's so fun about staring up at the sky like an idiot?

Lay off! You're not my mother!

Ouch!

Hmph!

Besides, it's not like I do it 'cause it's fun.

It's an Ant!

Shit, another one crawled out?

Seriously? Damn it, gimme a break!

You're up, man!

We're countin' on you, Aki!

With pleasure!

Let's rock, Altro!

That thing's huge!

He's gotta be three times the size of yesterday's!

I'm too far away.

A.B.! Can you snipe its head?

No can do. He's too big!

We've gotta get in closer.

Okay then, cover me!

Got it!

We've downed him!

I'm gonna jump onto him and blast his head!

That's insane! Don't you dare!

Nothing's impossible for Aki the Acrobat!

This guy's tough!

Got it!

What the hell?

You missed! His weak point's further back!

What!? I missed?

Aki, don't grab onto it! Jump off!

I'd love to, but my leg's stuck!

Oh, come on! And you call yourself an acrobat?

You're more of a clown!

Shove it!

Sorry, Altro.

Slim pickings today.

That's 'cause Aki screwed up today.

He trashed our merch when he was trying to exterminate that Ant.

So I see.

That's why he's down in the dumps... or not.

Are those lights coming from Top?

Hey, Mr. Devalt!

Tell me about Top! You've been there before, right?

That I have. Been about 20 or 30 years, though.

I used to think my future was up there.

“Maybe I'll live up there someday,” I used to say.

But alas, it wasn't meant to be, and here I am digging up old Altros instead.

But it's a sight to behold, up there. Beautiful and booming.

However, us Bottomers have no place there.

Top, hmm? Well, that's got nothing to do with us.

Sheesh, you too?

How come all you grownups say that?

You can pay for the parts in installments.

Thanks, Melinguel.

All right! Repairs are complete!

She's as good as new.

Thanks a bunch, A.B.

Such a capable partner you have.

You'd better be treating her right.

She's nothing but an old friend of—

You and your Top, what exactly would you do up there?

What do you mean, “what”?

You have any ideas?

Don't ask me!

I dunno, it's just like... I get this itch, and my arms ache.

Come again?

So what you're saying is you wanna feel a connection?

A whole new world, full of new people.

Oh, I get it.

You men just ignore your station in life and blindly charge ahead.

Right?

A connection...

A foreign world... full of new faces.

There you go again.

You really wanna be a Topper, don't you?

It's not like that.

I mean, I do wanna see it for myself, but...

I wonder what the Toppers think of us?

Just a bunch of salvagers and garbage-men.

No, that's just what we do.

Well, how do you want them to see you?

Huh?

How would I know? I've never even met one.

They've got no reason to come down here.

Don't you think they might not care about us?

Maybe I'll try scaling the wall.

Don't even think about it!

Six people have died trying in the last 50 years.

Do you wanna be the 7th?

You women are so pragmatic.

What's that? You picking a fight?

Just complimenting you.

Goodnight.

We've figured out where he's escaped to.

But since the structure's rather complicated, we might find ourselves at a disadvantage.

What should we do, sir?

Why not have the Bottomers lend us a hand?

A Topper has a job for me?

There's a Topper coming?

I'm just as shocked myself.

They said they needed someone familiar with the area, so I recommended you.

Ah, good morning.

You're Aki Tesuno, I presume?

Is he a Topper?

Pleased to meet you. I am Joze Lessing, a General under Chairman Vizrilde.

Man, that's a mouthful.

I'm looking for someone who can help me.

A certain person was abducted, you see.

W-What the—

This is the Chairman's daughter.

We believe the kidnapper's motive was ransom money.

We did, of course, send out a team of our own first, but due to their lack of experience with the local terrain, the suspect got away.

Afterwards, he fled to this structure nestled within your domain.

This is the kidnapper's Altro.

I've heard that you're not only skilled in combat, but familiar with the terrain here.

You won't go unrewarded, of course.

Will you help us in our search?

All right, I'll do it.

You're gonna do it, Aki?

What reason do I have to turn him down?

Well...

Thank you, Aki Tesuno.

A Topper shook my hand. What a nice guy!

And these Topper Altros aren't too shabby.

Squeaky clean and armed to the teeth.

But so is this guy.

Maylene...

Crotilde...

Sandorion...

Sandorion!

Hey, A.B., about that Topper girl,

how does Sandorion sound? Doesn't she look like a Sandorion?

Gimme a break. I did think you were quiet, but only because this is what you've been thinking about?

You're such an idiot.

Well excuse me!

Sandorion? Sounds like it came straight from a fairy tale!

That doesn't suit her at all!

Just shut up and stay behind me.

If you get lost, there's no getting out of here.

You're sure in serious mode, Aki.

Almost like you're a knight in shining armor!

I am not!

You just want a “connection” with that Topper floozy, huh?

C-Connection!? Of course not!

Come on, Mr. Prince! Get it together!

I said shut it!

Only I know about this shortcut.

Hey Aki, where are we headed, anyway?

To the reservoir.

There's not many places around here where you can find water.

There she is!

Bingo!

I'm going on ahead!

Wait, don't run off by yourself!

Wait up!

Hang on a second!

Stay back! Don't come near me!

Just relax. I'm not your enemy.

I'm here to save you!

All right now, just come with me.

The kidnapper!?

You son of a bitch!

Aki! Aki, can you hear me?

We're being jammed.

He's good.

But the Prince won't be defeated!

Milady, get back!

Please get out of here!

What're you guys—

No! Please, don't!

Diehardt!

No, please!

Withdraw at once.

It does us no good to waste time in this squalid wasteland.

You okay, Aki?

Yeah, more or less.