The Crimson Squad itself was founded by Kinoc of the Warrior Monks as a means to regiment Crusaders. It was planned as an elite fighting force of the best and brightest young soldiers. Any ethnic group was welcome to join, including the Al Bhed. It is this loophole that sixteen-year-old Gippal takes advantage of when he enlists in the force.
The faction of the Crimson Squad that we come to know and love within the game consists of Gippal, Paine, Baralai, and Nooj. The four (three soldiers and a recorder) become friends quickly in. While all of different personalities, their mindsets were essentially the same: focused, goal-oriented, and determined. This spectacular friendship led the team to victory throughout the training exercises, not to mention quite a few amusing exchanges in leisure. Unfortunately, their triumph, dreams, and friendship would soon crumble. The final exercise to determine candidacy for the Squad is the Den of Woe, located in a secluded cavern in Mushroom Rock Road. It should be noted that as this exercise is beginning, Operation Mi'ihen is also preparing for its call to action. Kinoc briefs the intrepid recruits of the situation within as they know it: there are strange reports of odd, possibly homicidal, activity, and they are to discover the source. With Paine recording the adventure, Baralai, Gippal, and Nooj make their way into the cave. Shortly in, the quartet witnesses a horrific slaughter between team mates. It appears that something is causing once friends and allies to turn and fire on each other. Gippal and Baralai both make a point to say they want no part in a squad that kills its members, and it is decided that the team should leave. At that moment, however, a swarm of pyreflies rushes into Nooj, and within moments he has his gun pointed at Baralai. Gippal hurries forward and, attempting to awaken Nooj from his homicidal slumber, draws his own weapon and instructs the former Crusader to put his down. However, within moments, Gippal finds Baralai's weapon pointed at him. Paine circles the group, unsure what could be happening or how to end it. Together, the three men are infected with the pyreflies, and as strange illusions of Vegnagun fill them they scream in utter, hopeless despair. Paine finally yells at them to stop; the group snaps out of it, and the four escape. Apparently the only survivors, they report their findings to the commanding officer on duty. He grudgingly admits that they did their job well, and are to protect Maester Seymour during Operation Mi'ihen. The three men joyously celebrate their victory and begin to leave. It is then that Paine's recorder rests on a well-oiled group of soldiers with guns aimed at the backs of the Squad. She shouts to run, and at that moment shots are fired.
The story picks up again at the Mi'ihen Travel Agency. Paine has located the three fugitives as they are about to part ways in fear of Yevon finding them as a group. The four plan to meet up again after they've discovered just what took place in the Den of Woe. As they are leaving, however, Nooj pulls his gun out and shoots Baralai, Gippal, and Paine.
The sphere records end here.