i really hope you dont take this the wrong way.
you are still in newbie protection so the following apply to you:
1.stop worrying about plasma tech,you cant afford them even if you could build them.
2.take this time (it might be time wise a while it took me weeks)too build your mines to say level 20 metal,18 crystal,and dont worry about deut.on all 9 colonies.
3.once you get that then start on your defense as needed.
King will have the wing up soon,and under his leadership it wont be long before you are kicking but.just hang in there and get them mines up.
ps. fleet save