As I understand things with the witness and changes to the code. After a consensus is made to make an alteration to the code. A majority of 17 from the top 21 witness need to update the code change for it to have effect on the Steem chain.

In the event of a Hard Fork with the code. All other witness along with those who already have made the code change must update their server to the code.

In the event of a Soft Fork, is this the same? I would like to show a scenario of of this question regarding the Soft Fork situation.

In this first chart (not to scale) I represent the core governance of the Steem blockchain code in the centre surrounded by the other witness. I know there is more than 100 witness.

Taking the top 21 witness and they have all updated the new code to facilitate a Soft Fork.

Let's assume for the purpose of this question. All other witness did not update their server. For the simple reason that the Soft Fork might be undone. Saving them having to do two updates. Essentially waiting to see the outcome before making a decision.

During this time of waiting to see what the conclusion is. Lets assume also that changes are made to the witness votes. (yes a few assumptions in this post) If there were several changes to the voting rankings.

Several of the top 21 lose some votes and several others move up to replace these witness.

So this leads to my question.

In an event like this and the change of witness. there would be less than 17 witness within the op 21 running the code. Would this have any adverse effect on the functioning of the block chain.

Would the block chain freeze?
The change to the code be cancelled?
Or would it still function with the Soft Fork code in place?