 What is significant about the “secret” Retief unveils about the Soetti?
However, they lie deep in the sector into which the Soetti have been penetrating. "Now—" Magnan leaned forward and lowered his voice—"we have learned that the Soetti plan a bold step forward. "I have here," he said solemnly, "information which will change that picture completely." "The Soetti War Plan—in detail. "If it's trapped for destruction, I suppose—" "I've heard of these Jorgensen's Worlds," Retief said. Overall policy calls for a defense of these backwater worlds. Retief opened the envelope Magnan handed him and looked at the tickets inside. "I'll tell you what," Retief said soberly. Retief pulled a paper from an inside pocket, handed it over.
 They're easier to take down than they thought, meaning they can stand up to the Soetti.
 They're easier to take down than they thought, meaning they can stand up to the Soetti.  The Soetti are going to exact revenge on the crew now that he's exposed their secret.  They don't have the right to be asking for papers, making their presence on board illegal.  They're easy to bluff against. They'll believe what the captain tells them.