Well, you still
might have 11 Hybrid bases, or bases that could upgrade to those.
Regarding your laser experiment, the armoured hybrid babes have just as much laser resistance as kinetic, so that adds insult to injury. Lasers
are kinda disappointing since they get few perks besides just the damage type. Though there's a
laser sniper down the line... pretty far down the line, sadly. About as far as Gauss weaponry.
I think I used Pulse Rifles with Alloy ammo when I went against Hybrid Embassies. Easier to purchase than manufacture yourself, and with a damage bonus post-penetration.
Gauss ammo requires Anti-Matter Containment from the interrogation lottery, in addition to Laser Weapons and Mass Driver Weapons. Probably out of your reach if you just got lasers.