Art by Jon Haward.
RAX Coswell (or R.A.X. Coswell) is one of the nine Eternal Champions and was formerly a Cyber-Fighter.
Previous Life and Death[]
Coswell was one of the world's greatest kickboxers, but when his sport was taken over by cybernetically-enhanced humans, RAX could only stay in contention by becoming a cyborg himself. His expensive Robotic Artifical Exoskeleton (RAX) was funded by a well-known crime boss of the time. Unfortunately, RAX was killed by said crime boss when he wanted to win a safe bet, implanting a computer virus in his technology that killed him during the third round of a match in The Cyberdome.
Eternal Champions[]
Due to his exceptional skills in The Cyberdome, RAX was saved from death by The Eternal Champion, requiring nine powerful fighters to help save the world. Coswell was the most skeptical person at first and personally attacked the Champion, wanting to return to his scheduled fight. The Eternal Champion praised his skill in his own time, but handed Coswell an immense beatdown before doubting his abilities would be good enough to keep him alive during the forthcoming tournament. After hearing this, RAX trained extensively in The Battle Room, working on his flips whilst fighting robot obstacles. His training proved useless, however, as his cybernetics quickly cancelled out the magic of Xavier Pendragon during their fight, condemning them both to an early grave. Fortunately, the plans of Shadow Yamoto and Midknight rescued him and RAX was convinced to stay in the future and fight for humanity.
In the near future, RAX continued to train for his first big mission, but enjoyed skirmishing with Shadow more than anyone. Having a thing for her, he overpowered her during one training mission and won a 'bet' that would see the pair go out on a date. Urged by The Eternal Champion, the pair ventured out into the city controlled by The Overlord and reached The Dream Bank, a bar where humans are forced to comply in an intense state of virtual reality. RAX hassled the barman robot for a drink, but soon ignored it to engage in battle with a group of guard robots. The soldier was forced to rescue Shadow when she was placed into a VR helmet, before destroying the entire group of guards by shutting off the Dream Bank permanently.
Along with the other eight, RAX soon ventured into 1994 to halt research into Bio-Key technology. Coswell was very proud of his ability to follow Shadow into Nakano's office block (just like she said), but his bleatings annoyed Jonathan Blade. He was later enraged when three of the Champions were captured, angry that the others wished to return to Fortress Eternity without them. Instead, RAX took the teleporter and took them to The Cyberdome to pick some Bio-Keyed guns to fight with. Once there, the group easily took guards and explained to Jetta Maxx that weapons such as the D-Level Kick Blaster were used in fights between cyber fighters. Unfortunately, more guards arrived and recognised RAX, pitting all six of them in a tournament to the death. Inside their prison, RAX explained to Larcen Tyler that people were only killed after all the bouts were completed, but had come up with a plan; on his way to the fight with Trident, RAX punched his opponent early but used it as a distraction to free everyone from their cages. He then came up with the idea to take the guns already held by the fighters, before warping back to 1994 and promising a rematch with the rookie fighters.
Back in the present, RAX's weapon proved ineffective against Nakano's mecha and he was taken out of the fight early. He was later spotted in a flashback from Tyler, remembering how he last fought with RAX and the others.
Special Moves[]
RAX's past as a cyber-fighter meant he was allowed to use only the modifications granted to him and his own martial arts prowess. Coswell was skilled in Muay Thai kickboxing, but it wasn't enough when his opponents got their own cybernetic powers. Instead, RAX used the following special moves:
- Lock and Load - used against Shadow in their bout.
- Air Jets
- Cyber Punch - used on Trident, attempted against The Eternal Champion
- Cyber Kick
- Jet Knee Smash
- Overload
- Turbine
Character[]
RAX is always portrayed as being a cocky individual who knew he was a good fighter. His robotic enhancements meant that he walked around with a jerky, robo-gait and was always accompanied by the slight hum of his bodywork. He tends to hang around with Trident and Slash since the three of them enjoy partaking in a "good, hard punch-up". When his cyber-enhancements go into "Combat Mode", it cuts off several nerve centres that control the pain he feels. He has developed a strong crush on Yamoto, evident in the stories they share, and she knows it. He constantly tries to impress her in every way and would do anything for her. On the plus side, he is fearless, loyal, reliable and a tough fighter. He also seems to love Thai food.
Coswell, however, hates the constant pain he feels from his enhancements (when they are not in Combat Mode). This may be because the crime boss that financed it didn't do it properly, or that the virus is still in his system.