Without exploiting structural constraints of the hemimetric polytope, learning the distances between each pair of items requires 𝛩(n²) queries.

There, when not actually engaged on the yards yet higher aloft, the topmen, who as such had been picked out for youth and activity, constituted an aerial club lounging at ease against the smaller stun'sails rolled up into cushions, spinning yarns like the lazy gods, and frequently amused with what was going on in the busy world of the decks below.

The Society have, it seems, invented a cunning machine, shrewly yclept a Torpedo, […]

• Where should I put it?
• Here'll do.