Help picking out a sci-fi/horror game

[Ork Captain]

I recently got my girlfriend hooked on playing RPG's with me. We're currently playing Labyrinth Lord, but I think she wouldn't mind trying out a new game every now and then.

She's really interested in things like UFO's, ghost sightings, and the supernatural in general - so I was thinking of introducing her to Call of Cthulhu (in a modern setting), but I wanted to ask if anyone had any other ideas of RPG's we could try. Ideally, it would be a game set in contemporary times with a sort of X-Files/Ghost Hunters/Torchwood sort of feel to it.

Any ideas? 

[randalls]

She's really interested in things like UFO's, ghost sightings, and the supernatural in general - so I was thinking of introducing her to Call of Cthulhu (in a modern setting)...

I liked Delta Green from Pagan Publishing as a modern CoC Setting. I don't think it is still available, however.

...but I wanted to ask if anyone had any other ideas of RPG's we could try. Ideally, it would be a game set in contemporary times with a sort of X-Files/Ghost Hunters/Torchwood sort of feel to it.

I really enjoyed playing in a Beyond the Supernatural (Palladium) campaign once, but I don't think it fits the specific sub-genre you are taking about. Tri-Tac's old Stalking the Night Fantastic might fit. The original system was over-complex, but I hear they have a D20 version out now.  This is a case where the D20 version might be the better choice.

[Philotomy]

You want Delta Green, which is a modern conspiracy/horror supplement for Call of Cthulhu.  It's exactly what you're looking for.  It was recently reprinted, and should be available (try Chaosium's website catalog).  The new printing has d20 Cthulhu stats, as well as BRP Call of Cthulhu stats.

[randalls]

You want Delta Green, which is a modern conspiracy/horror supplement for Call of Cthulhu.

I'm very glad to hear this is available again.

[DrBadLogic]

I'm very glad to hear this is available again.

On a slightly different note, Im tempted to run a Traveller run off where the players find an Ocean World...replete with Cthulhu sleeping away.

[randalls]

On a slightly different note, Im tempted to run a Traveller run off where the players find an Ocean World...replete with Cthulhu sleeping away.

Or perhaps they could be exploring the Hyades star cluster and come across the planet where Carcosa sits on the shores of Lake Hali? Hmmm.

[DrBadLogic]

Or perhaps they could be exploring the Hyades star cluster and come across the planet where Carcosa sits on the shores of Lake Hali? Hmmm.

And what did the Zhodani find in their Coreward expeditions?

[randalls]

And what did the Zhodani find in their Coreward expeditions?

And are they enslaved to it? Is Intelligence of what they found the real reason for the Psionic Suppressions in the Third Imperium?

[evernevermore]

Another option for the original request is the DarkMatter setting, Id lean towards the Alternity version even if its just a sourcebook for the game. If the girl in question enjoyed the X-Files at all DarkMatter is perfect.

Another option for systems is new World of Darkness or Witchcraft or All Flesh Must Be Eaten. nWoD is a much improved ruleset that can be used on its own without the trimmings of vampires and werewolves. Witchcraft is available as a free lesser quality pdf, you lose the art mostly, which is kinda like WoD but much less angsty. All Flesh is, if you tone down or strip out the zombie material, a very clean little modern game that you can import elements and material from d20 pretty easily while not being d20 itself.