In Final Fantasy X-2 secondary missions, the player can pick up spheres around world of Sphira called "Crimson Sphere." These Sphere tells Paine's experiences as a warrior fighter for the Crimson squad, which is intended to be an elite unit to became Crusaders, the best members who will be assigned to lead the Crusaders through the world of Spira. These spheres show that Paine was in the same group with Nooj, Baralai and Gippal, the leaders of the Youth League, New Yevon and the Machine Faction, at the game time.
Most ofBrigade of the candidates of Crimson Squad died during the group's final field exercise, which took place in a cave under the Mushroom Rock Road called "Woe to the Den." This followed as a result of the overwhelming fireflies in the cave with the desperation of the unsent called "Shuyin", causing the member on the squad fighting another member. Only Nooj, Baralai, Gippal, and Paine escaped alive, but later, Nooj ( possessed by Shuyin ) shot his friends, this make their friendship end for two years. Shortly before Paine join Yuna's group , Paine enlisted in the Gullwings in the hope of finding out more about why the Crimson squad has been slaughtered, and because she has long desired to fly in an airship.