Whenever a character retreats from melee, all adjacent non-Shaken and non-Stunned opponents get an immediate Free Attack (see Free Attacks).

Example: Red is surrounded by five strange xenos and must get to a wounded Gabe. She takes the Defend option (increasing her Parry by +4) and backs away. All five xenos get a Free Attack, at +4 for Ganging Up. Fortunately, Red’s high Parry fends them off and she makes her way to her injured friend.