 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. Magnan leaned back, waiting for Retief's reaction. "I have here," he said solemnly, "information which will change that picture completely." "The Soetti War Plan—in detail. "This is no occasion for flippancy, Retief. "I'll carry it, sealed," Retief said. "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. "Someone at a policy-making level has chosen to put all our eggs in one basket, Retief. Retief opened the envelope Magnan handed him and looked at the tickets inside. The Soetti are patrolling the trade lanes into Jorgensen's Worlds; don't get yourself interned." "I'll tell you what," Retief said soberly. "But—" Retief picked up his suitcase and walked away toward the glare sign reading To Gates 16-30 . Retief pulled a paper from an inside pocket, handed it over. Retief put his suitcase carefully on the floor, took a step and drove a right into the guard's midriff. Retief made his way along the narrow hall, found signs, followed them to cabin fifty-seven. They maneuvered it through the door, lowered it, glanced at Retief and went out.
 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.